Start With Gratitude

We’re wrapping up January 2021 and if you’re like me you’re asking, ‘where are we going?’

Where are we going as a country? Some of us are asking in surprise, while others have seen this national eruption coming for a long while. So now what?

Now, we get to decide (again) where we are going as a community and how our generosity supports that vision. Here are four tips to help your church community increase giving and clarify your vision:

Intentionally choose who you are inviting into the conversation. Is it the same folks as last year? Does your board look the same? Is your council homogenous? Is it reflective of the larger community/town/city in which you serve? Look around and ask ‘what voices and perspectives are we missing?’ Why? Where are the relationship gaps?

Invite community members to notice where their heart is being pulled. This can happen throughout the year, be intentional about coming back to this question at various times throughout the year. What’s in our hearts will continue to call for our attention.

Focus on the vision of the church. January is a great opportunity to cast and re-cast the vision of your local church. In this season we have an openness to look freshly at something timeless. In the months leading up to January, I challenge myself to spend significant time alone listening for my heart, for the Divine, and being open. Then I gather church leaders and other voices of wisdom. I share with them what’s coming up for me and ask how it resonates with what they sense. Together we co-create a vision for the coming year (often this manifests as a repeatable and relatable one sentence phrase).

Celebrate what you were able to do last year and thank them for it this year! (all year). Send an email celebrating 1-3 ways church life was better because of generosity (I try to do this the first week of January with a rough total of annual giving). In addition to the obligatory tax letter, make it a goal to write 5-10 personal cards each week until you’ve covered every household (share this with a moderator, chair, or other leaders for wider impact). Start with those who are actively giving financially, regardless of amount! Take time to celebrate and THANK them for living generously. It’s also a great way to include those who have been generous with time and special skills.

So, where are you going? Who you invite into that conversation will make all the difference if your church is serious about effecting lasting shift. It’s important to know where you’re going, whether it’s a road trip or your church’s annual budget. Because without an idea or direction (read vision/mission) this year is going to look a lot like last year, and the year before, and the year before that …

Yours in Faith,

Rev. Jessica Shine

Generosity Officer of the National Setting UCC