Each week, highlight an element in the service that coincides with the offering time. Set this on a monthly routine:
- **Week 1**: Show an Impact Video that tells the story of a direct life impact from a ministry funded by our budget.
- **Week 2**: Show a Testimony Video that tells the personal impact that giving has had on a family or how they grew spiritually through giving.
- **Week 3**: Show a short Educational Video that uses scripture to teach a spiritual lesson on giving.
- **Week 4**: Have a “Money Moment” – such as board member on stage to lead people
through a bulletin insert called Money Moment. This highlights a couple of recent wins
(attendance, ministry growth, giving increase, etc.) and a couple of areas to improve and
then the board member asks our members to get involved and help.1


_Alternatives to this routine might be:_
- **Week 1**: Capture a 45-second testimony of life change from someone in a small group or class in your church.
- **Week 2**: Show a video of a community service activity by members of your church.
- **Week 3**: Show a testimony from student ministry volunteer or other volunteer sharing wins.
- **Week 4**: Show a testimony from a missions’ organization sharing about their work across the globe.
 

After each of these stories (shared by a 45 to 90 second video during the offering moment) remind the congregation that “this happens because of your generous giving.” Then show the giving link on the screen for 30 seconds. 

When you receive a special donation, consider asking a giver if there is a story behind the gift that they are willing to share publicly with your congregation. This could inspire others to share giving opportunities with significant life impact as a result of generosity.

<hr style="margin-top:6em; margin-bottom:6px" />
<cite style="font-size:12px">
1 From Pastor Christopher Cass, Executive Pastor, First Baptist Church, Burleson, TX
</cite>

How to celebrate wins and inspire your people to continue pursuing a culture of generosity!

Celebrate Ministry Wins

1. **Love every family, pastoring them when opportunity arises.** Does recognizing high net worth donors with invitation-only banquets and special events over those who give much less, put us in a place of playing favoritism? James 2:1-4. Christ gave special recognition to the widow who gave only 2 copper coins. “She gave more than all the others, putting in everything she had.” Mark 12:41-44 and Luke 21:1-4. People look at the amount given. God looks at the heart.

**REMEMBER THIS: YOU VERY LIKELY HAVE FAMILIES WHO GIVE MORE SACRIFICIALLY WITH FEWER RESOURCES THAN THOSE WITH SIGNIFICANT WEALTH. CHRIST HIMSELF SEES THE HEART OF EVERY GIVER.**

2. Senior and Executive Pastors, **meet** with leaders, **one-on-one**, to thank them and pray for their families. **Express appreciation for every gift.** Donors want to see how they are making a difference. Include spouses in the conversation. Otherwise, when the bread winner passes away, the survivor might be resentful of the way money was given.

3. Enlist them to be **“on the ground” volunteers** in ministries where they are passionate, such as attending a mission trip or ministry to the community. Some may want to provide scholarships for those who cannot afford to participate.

4. Universities do a better job of donor recruitment than churches! <a href="https://wealthengine.com" target="_blank">WealthEngine</a> can
tell **who in your congregation is giving more to other charities** or universities than your church, based on public giving information from IRS Form 990’s.

5. **Know your people. Pray for them and say thanks.** Philippians 1:3

6. Invite them to a <a href="https://generousgiving.org/events/jog/" target="_blank">Journey of Generosity “JOG” 24-hour retreat</a>, meeting with their peers with no more than 16 at the event. This invitation-only event is a safe place to share passions about giving where solicitations are not permitted. It’s about seeing real stories of extraordinary generosity.

7. As a “next step” after a JOG, invite them to participate in a <a href="https://chartingyourlegacy.org/" target="_blank">Charting Your Legacy study group</a>. This 6-session Bible study will form close friendships within the group and equip them live a life of generosity.

8. Invite them to attend a <a href="https://generousgiving.org/events/celebration-of-generosity-2025/" target="_blank">Generous Giving annual conference</a>, where stories of joyful generosity are freely shared.

9. **Keep them up to date on ministry projects outside of the annual business meeting.** Be prepared to express how money is spent, either in dollars or percentages of the total budget.

10. Before starting a major **building campaign**, meet one-on-one with leaders to **ask their opinions and how they would like to participate.** During construction, take them on guided tours to show progress and how the new space will be used.

11. **Invest time in listening** to your donors to learn what excites them in ministry. Be willing to ask how well they think the church is living out its mission.

12. For members you don't know well, **consider inviting someone you know better to make an introduction.** Schedule a lunch or other event which is conducive to talking (golf or fishing, as an example).

How to express gratitude and build genuine relationships with your donors and supporters.

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