Developing a Strategic Plan — Notes from a presentation by Michael Reeves

What are the components of creating a culture of generosity?
1. Clear statement of what you believe – This includes both your mission statement and your financial support [See “Attributes of a Biblically Generous Church”]

2. Leadership – Lay and professional; Boards; Wealth + Wisdom + Work; Define reality and express appreciation [Ex: Ask, Thank, Tell by Charles Lane]

3. Communication – Most churches need to rethink this area (ex: quarterly, not monthly)

4. Education – About both our mission and different ways to give

5. One-to-One Cultivation – Major donor development

6. Annual giving – Starting point for financial stewardship commitment; Communicate clear expectations / levels of giving; Say thanks

7. Capital giving – Major gifts; Segmented or campaigns; 1 Chronicles 29:1-9; Exodus 36

8. Planned giving – Endowments; Is your church really a candidate for receiving planned gifts?; Focus on wills and bequests; maybe charitable gift annuities

9. Fund raising events — Do a hard evaluation; Two purposes – Are the events for money? Or for community?; The fund raising ratio for the effort is often questionable

10. End-of-Year appeal – Not an “annual lamentation of desperation;” Say, “Look at what we have accomplished with your generosity!;” Say, “Look at what we anticipate next year.”

The Bottom Line:

NBC TV concludes its evening broadcast with a thematic story, called “Making a Difference” – Like the “End result” of changing lives – Our mission: creating a culture of generosity. It is a vital catalyst in “making a difference.”

Your partner in ministry,

Betsy Schwarzentraub