Giving is an essential part of the success of your church. Your ministry relies on the generosity of your congregants.
Every outreach activity you do, every event you host, and every ministry you support requires financial backing.
While a key part of fulfilling your church’s mission, vision, and goals relies on the commitment and engagement of your congregation, having a body of believers who joyfully obey the command to give is just as important.
The hope is that each of your members gives generously to support the work of your ministry; the reality is that only 5% of congregants tithe (Vanco Payments).
With the regular church activities requiring significant funding, plus the unexpected expenses that inevitably arise throughout the year, you need a way to get your congregation to give generously and faithfully.
This is where pledge campaigns come in!
Whether your church steeple needs repair, you want to sponsor a missionary family, or you’re working to encourage habitual giving, planning a pledge campaign can be the key to getting your entire congregation involved.
By asking your members to give a specific amount for a limited window of time, you’re more likely to see follow-through and meet your financial goals.
Encouraging congregants to fill out pledge cards and commit to giving toward a specific project or as their annual tithe can help you grow generosity in your members. Studies show that those who contribute to pledge campaigns provide significantly more than those who don’t (Lewis Center).
And one of the best ways to engage your whole church in a pledge campaign is to utilize testimonials from those who’ve given before.
Those who haven’t participated in a pledge campaign or who don’t give regularly may not know or understand the importance of being part of a special project.
Nearly half of all donors give to causes that are personal to them or that they care deeply about, and 28% choose where they offer based on the recommendations of friends and family (Charities Aid Foundation).
Asking those who’ve seen the positive outcomes of giving through a pledge campaign to share with your congregation can be the difference in encouraging participation.
Step #1: Identify Key Givers
Use your giving records to identify your key givers.
Look for those who have given faithfully for an extended period of time, those who have participated in previous pledge campaigns, and those who can share the impacts they’ve seen from their contributions.
You only need a couple of congregants willing to share their experiences to make an enormous difference in your members’ engagement.
If you’ve done a similar pledge campaign before, try to find at least one person who can speak to their experience with that campaign.
While general stories about the importance and impact of giving will go a long way, hearing stories about the same kind of campaign is even better.
Think of it like getting a recommendation for a restaurant.
If a friend says you should eat at a particular place because they love another restaurant owned by the same family, you’d be likelier to try it than if you didn’t have their vote of confidence. But their experience can only go so far since they can’t speak to the specifics of what you’d encounter.
However, if the same friend says you should eat somewhere because they ate there last week and had a great time, their recommendation will further convince you.
Step #2: Recruit Your Members
Once you know who has the experience you want to be able to give testimonials for your pledge campaign, you need to do some recruiting.
The people you ask don’t have to be the best speakers. They only need to share for a few minutes about the impact that participating in a pledge campaign can have on your church’s mission.
Make sure you don’t say no to people. If someone has the experience to give a testimony of the impact of pledge campaigns, allow them the opportunity to participate in encouraging the engagement of others.
Don’t count anyone out just because you think they might be too busy or don’t like speaking in front of people. You never know how God is working in someone’s heart and what message He has given them to share with your church.
Step #3: Schedule the Testimonials
The testimonies should be a part of promoting your pledge campaign from the beginning.
Include stories from previous participants from the time you introduce your campaign to its launch.
Plan your testimonials around your regular campaign promotion so your members connect the logistics of committing to participate with the impact their giving can have.
The most important thing to remember when planning testimonials for your pledge campaign is that these don’t need to be elaborate marketing pitches. They just need to be real people sharing their honest beliefs about how participating in a pledge campaign can positively impact the church, the community, and the giver.
Most people can tell when someone is reading a script or saying something they don’t believe. So, while you can encourage your speakers to write down their thoughts or practice what they want to say, remind them that speaking from the heart and trusting God to use their words is more important.
Have a successful campaign!
One key difference between a pledge campaign and a regular giving campaign is that pledge campaigns ask congregants to commit to giving a specific amount over a set period of time.
People are more likely to commit to supporting a project if there’s an end date in sight.
And they’re even more likely to participate if they can hear from others about the effects their giving can have.
Sharing testimonials from other believers about the benefits of participating in a church pledge campaign can be the key to engaging your entire congregation.
Your ministry’s success relies on the generosity of the people in your pews, so use every resource you have available to inspire your members to give.
Every person has a story to tell, and their stories may be the boost you need to succeed.
ACS Technologies
ACS Technologies sets a new standard in church technology, offering a holistic suite of solutions that streamline administrative tasks and empower your staff to excel in their roles and your church to excel in your community.
In the ever-evolving landscape of church engagement and management, ACS Technologies rises above the rest. Our comprehensive church solutions, bespoke digital offerings, streamlined communication tools, comprehensive ministry consulting, and training make us the trusted choice for over fifty thousand churches. Experience the ACS Technologies advantage and elevate your church’s online presence, connectivity, and generosity today. Join us in redefining church technology for the digital age, where your ministry’s success becomes our shared mission.
