5 Big Ideas for Generous Churches

Want your people to give with joy? Here’s what it’s going to take.

For decades in the United States, religious giving has reliably been the largest single segment of the charitable donation ecosystem. But for a number of years, religious giving has been slowing. After adjustment for inflation, giving to religious organizations grew at less than 1 percent, year-over-year in 2014: the smallest increase among all categories of giving. While religious giving remains the largest single sector—for now—it is rapidly losing ground, falling from 53 percent of all donations in 1987 to just 32 percent in 2014.

Religious giving is weakening in our churches.

Building a culture of generosity is not primarily a “budget enhancement” program to get more money for the church. It’s also not just another “missions and outreach” program to have more money to give away. Both will happen, but neither should be your church’s reason for emphasizing generosity. They are side effects.

The real purpose of creating a culture of generosity is to help each member live more like Jesus. Additionally, a culture of generosity helps the church live out its call to be a witness to Christ in an unbelieving world.

Here are some key steps to developing a culture of generosity in your church. Read More