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August 8, 2008
Giving and the Church Member Experience, Conclusion
We've covered a lot of ground in this series. Unfortunately, there is no detailed, step-by-step plan for you and your staff to follow that ensures you're providing space for your members to hear and see your vision, taste and feel the culture of the church and decide whether or not your church is the "story" they want to participate in by giving their time, talents and resources.
It really boils down to a "both - and" solution. As church leaders, we're responsible for providing spiritually formative, relationship building opportunities for our members, regular attenders and even our visitors. This funtion (often referred to as assimilation) is vital to church health and fostering a sense of ownership by the congregation that brings with it a sense of personal responsibility and accountability. Such behavior and feelings ensure fully funded and sustainable ministry both now and in the future.
The rest of the experience must be left with the working of the Holy Spirit in the lives of your people. At some point, we have to trust that God will inspire the hearts of people to give generously in response to his Gospel and those who claim to be followers of Jesus.
Let me leave you with a few questions to consider:
1. Do you have an assimilation strategy for your church? Is it working?
2. Is the ministry of your church fully funded?
3. What percentage of your congregation gives of their time, talents and treasures? What's the plan to challenge others to do the same?
4. What story are you telling about your church? Could your members re-tell that story as if it were their own?
5. How often do you talk about total-life giving in your teaching and your preaching?
Previous posts in this series:
Giving and the Church Member Experience, Introduction
Giving and the Church Member Experience, Law #1
Giving and the Church Member Experience, Law #2
Giving and the Church Member Experience, Law #3
Giving and the Church Member Experience, Law #4
Giving and the Church Member Experience, Law #5
Giving and the Church Member Experience, Law #6
Posted by bstroup at August 8, 2008 11:38 AM
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