6 Ways to Boost First-Time Giving
By Justin Trapp
Justin Trapp, the founder of MinistryPass.com and a dedicated church leader, provides pastors with the essential tools and resources to craft meaningful sermons efficiently. In this article, he explains how to transform your church’s giving process into a convenient and comfortable experience, specifically tailored for first-time donors.
1. Purchase a Giving-Themed URL. While most churches include a donation link on their website, directing congregants to it can often be cumbersome. A few years ago, I implemented a strategy that increased our online contributions from 25% to 55% of total monthly giving: I purchased a domain name directly related to our church’s identity and mission. Since our congregation is Northwood Church, I secured NorthwoodGive.com and redirected it to our specific giving page.
During our next sermon series on stewardship, we displayed a simple graphic featuring NorthwoodGive.com and highlighted it in every service. We told our members, “For those who prefer not to carry cash or checks, you can give at NorthwoodGive.com right from your phone.” This URL quickly became a familiar and popular tool across all departments for event registrations and sign-up payments.
2. Get automated payments. The business world has seen a surge in the last several years in monthly subscription pricing. The theory is, a business only has to “make the sale” one time with the customer. After they sign up, sales are automatic every month.
I have seen pastors try to make the sale on tithing every week. What if we promote subscription giving instead? This is one way to increase stability in your summer giving. Most people would love to be more consistent in their giving; automated payments help them do that.
3. Teach generosity in life. Being generous is not just about money or a moment. Generosity is a lifestyle. When your culture has generosity embedded in the DNA of the church, everyone benefits. Evangelism, benevolence and, yes, tithes are all beneficiaries of a giving church culture.
4. Prepare your giving talks. We have all heard the 25-minute offering sermon before the actual message. People take their money very seriously, and we should take our communication about money seriously as well. Make your talk about tithes personal, simple and efficient.
5. Share stories. A newly saved couple at our church had been attending for about six months. The husband worked two jobs to support the family, but they still fell on hard times. They sat in our service with $10 in their bank account. The wife said to her husband, “I think we should start tithing today. We don’t have any food left in the pantry, and you don’t get paid for three days. What could it hurt at this point?” So they gave $5 in the offering that morning.
When they got home, their neighbor knocked on their door and said, “When I woke up this morning, I felt like I should make you this big pot of stew. It should last you the next few days.”
Information doesn’t always move people, but stories do. As often as you can, share stories. It will inspire people to step out in faith, perhaps for the very first time.
6. Follow up with a thank you. We live in a selfie culture that likes to ask for things but doesn’t always remember to express gratitude. Saying thank you goes a long way in making givers at your church feel valued.
