Hello Tom316,
What a truly interesting question!
From St. Joseph?s Catholic Church, York, PA
?It is a fact known to every farmer that some part of every harvest
must be given back to nature if there is to be a future harvest. Every
crop is an increase of multiplication of the seeds that were
originally sown. Tithing is a way of returning a portion of our
harvest to the One who gave it to us. God shares His world with us. By
tithing we share with God the fruits of our labors by helping others.
Thank you for bringing your tithe to God?s storehouse to be used for
the establishment of His reign among us.
Tithing produces a spiritual transformation in a person since he or
she is acknowledging that everything he or she has comes from God.
Tithing is putting God first in our lives. In effect, tithing is
saying, "Thank you, God, for all the blessings you have given me."
Many people think tithing is all about money??giving more money to the
Church and to charitable causes. The most important thing for the
tither, however, is the spiritual effect. Tithing helps establish a
proper sense of values. Tithing helps us to remember that God comes
before all else and that everything we have comes from Him.
Father Louis
http://www.sjy.org/Church/Tithing.asp
This site lists many good tips for increasing church revenues. I have
picked out these three, as I see them working effectively in my
church.:
?Begin practicing stewardship education as a twelve-month process
which involves children, youth, and adults? I was not taught in
Catechism nor CCD to tithe. In my current (Non-Catholic) church, I see
young children being taught the importance of tithing. I see
teen-agers washing cars and sponsoring pizza parties to raise funds
for the church.
?The pastor needs to be actively involved in stewardship education and
fund-raising.? Our pastor speaks to this often, without begging for
tithes. Our pastor discusses all the work being done with our tithes,
tells us how much the bills are, etc.
?Push the mission and vision of your church rather than the line item
budget - and remember that people give to people, not programs.? Our
church shows slides, over the altar, just before the service,
displaying pictures of the good our tithes have performed. Missions,
senior projects, taking church to nursing homes, etc. show the
congregation how the funds are spent.
http://www.churchstuff.com/excerpts.html
?"One of the biggest things is that we have just failed to communicate
an unfinished work. Our main emphasis is mission awareness -- not
fundraising. When God's people understand the need, they are the most
generous people in world," said Lemon.
Pastor Jan Paulsen, president of the world church, commented on the
increase in tithe. "It is strong, it is steady. It is our people
saying to us, 'Look, if you focus on being what the church is supposed
to be -- an instrument of mission -- we will support the mission of
the church, we will support the Lord's initiatives.' It is important
for each of us, as you go back to your various territories, to make
sure you communicate openly with people. It's important that they be
told, because that in itself stimulates faithfulness of our people."
He added, "The real success of our mission ... is going to depend on a
sense of direct ownership for which members will have in the global
mission of the church. It's not for leadership alone to carry.
"It's good to know we are not a business subject to many uncertainties
that business in general is subject to. When we vote a budget, it's
always a statement of faith," Pastor Paulsen said.?
http://news.adventist.org/data/2005/09/1129056831/index.html.en
?If you suggest specific giving amounts on your envelopes, increase
them by a couple of dollars. For example, if your lowest asking amount
is $5, increase it to $8. It?s a very ?soft ask,? and many people will
automatically give at the new amount. Not everyone will give at the
new level, but even if 50% do, it will increase your church?s annual
income. Adding a saying next to the amount boxes, such as ?My Return
to GOD for HIS Gifts to Me? will also reinforce the meaning and
purpose of giving.?
A good example involves a church on the north shore of Massachusetts.
They sponsor a fundraiser lobster luncheon and coordinate the event
with the town?s annual arts festival. The parish hall is the venue for
the sculpture exhibit. Held over the July 4th weekend, the entire town
becomes a festival. The church benefits from the publicity generated
and from the influx of people into the town. There are literally
hundreds of ideas to bring new people into the church and make your
facilities more accessible to the community. A church in upstate New
York sponsors a coffee house and brings in talented folk entertainers
to perform.
The money raised helps fund a food pantry. Many churches sponsor food
pantries. It?s a service to the community, and it makes people realize
that even in prosperous neighborhoods there are families who need
help. Pulpit exchanges are a good way to bring people together and
encourage ecumenical worship. And a social
hour after the service helps everyone to meet others and feel welcome.
?When churches develop campaigns to raise money for specific needs, they
are often highly successful. People feel good about donating to help children,
senior citizens, those who are less fortunate than themselves, and church
programs.?
http://www.cathedralstewardship.com/news/200304.pdf
?"People who donate money on a regular basis take a closer look at
where their money is going," adds Boddie. "They are able to figure out
and set aside the money they can donate on a weekly or monthly basis.
This can lead to more financial responsibility in the areas of debt
repayment and asset building."
Planned-giving practices such as tithing help congregation members
focus on their spending and saving habits because they pay more
attention to how they use the rest of their money, explains Boddie.
"Many people who tithe say tithing is not only about money," says
Boddie, author of "Way to Give: Tithing Principles and Practices
Promoting Asset Building," a study funded by the Annie E. Casey
Foundation. "The tithing practice does more than raise funds; it
confronts the consumer-oriented culture. It challenges attitudes and
feelings toward God, finances, possessions, families, friends, the
poor, the future and life in general."?
http://mednews.wustl.edu/tips/page/normal/4616.html
This article suggests contacting churches that have successfully
increased their offerings.
?"In all likelihood, congregations that are experiencing an increase
in tithing also have a plan to or already do incorporate topics of
giving, tithing and financial responsibility in sermons, Bible study
or Sunday school," she says.
Giving to faith-based organizations is becoming more important because
as an increasing number of people are turning to social services for
help, the government is looking to churches to be a partner in
delivering social programs.
"Congregations are expected to use their financial resources to help
hold together the unraveling national safety net," says Boddie.
"We should learn from those congregations that are moving beyond
traditional programs such as charity dinners, food pantries and church
construction fund drives and are developing a system of focused giving
and strategic partnerships with banks, businesses, foundations and
local organizations to help their members save money and build
assets," adds Boddie.?
http://mednews.wustl.edu/tips/page/normal/4616.html
?There are three reasons why some do not tithe. The first is that they
have never been taught to tithe. Because of the way some people react
to the mention of money, some preachers never approach the subject.
And with all that has gone on in the religious world in the last few
years, some preachers are even more reluctant. Because some on TV seem
to be only interested in feathering their nest with the contributions
of Christian people, none of us in legitimate ministry want to appear
as if we are simply interested in money. And so, some have never been
taught to tithe. But let me say that God is not just interested in
your money; but He is interested in your money. Because He is
interested in you and your welfare, I must be faithful to share with
you the liberating message of what tithing can do for you.
The second reason people do not tithe is that they misunderstand the
place of tithing in the Bible. Some do no think it is for today. But
this is a misunderstanding of the principle of tithing as God's plan
for giving. I suspect the real reason many object is that they do not
want to tithe anyway. Frank Hubbard has said, "When a fellow says, 'It
ain't the money, but the principle of the thing,' it's the money." He
is right. Money talks. It says a lot about our attitudes toward God.
Do you really believe you are glorifying God by not tithing?
The third reason people don't tithe is because they refuse to do so.
Some people don't tithe because they refuse to do so, no matter what
God says. I trust you are not in this category. If you are, you may
want to look closely at your life. If you do, you may see the hand of
God's judgment there. God will not be mocked. We refuse to obey Him at
our own peril.?
http://www.horizonsnet.org/sermons/tba07.html
?"Different challenges have caused people to choose not to tithe,"
researcher George Barna said. "For some, the soft economy has either
diminished their household income or led to concerns about their
financial security. For others the nation's political condition, in
terms of terrorism and the war in Iraq, has raised their level of
caution."
However, in a series of interviews with Baptist Press, various leaders
said the root of the problem stems from a failure to educate people
about God's plans for stewardship.
Howard Dayton, chief executive officer of Crown Financial Ministries
in Gainesville, Ga., said the church has made a strategic error. By
focusing solely on how members should handle 10 percent of their money
from God's perspective, church leaders neglect the other 90 percent
and leave people unprepared for comprehensive stewardship, he said.
"People don't know what God says about how to earn money, save it,
spend it and invest it," said Dayton, who wrote Crown's small-group
studies, which are used by some 5,000 churches nationwide. "Others
aren't motivated to give because they don't know what God says about
giving."?
http://www.kybaptist.org/kbc/welcome.nsf/pages/dsbparticle
Invest
?When churches run short of money, they tend to return to the same
well that they drew from before: the pockets of church members. They
need to start thinking of other ways to fill income shortages.
"Churches have to find alternative sources of income if they really
want to carry out their mission," Anderson says. "There are many
excellent ways of doing this that don't touch the offering plate?but
they have to look for them." Alternative sources can raise between 1.5
to 4 times the church's income without its having to ask members for
money, Anderson says.
One way churches can raise money is to invest their money. That may
require expert counsel, however, since some churches have lost a great
deal of money by investing in questionable securities. "There are a
lot of investment scams out there that cover themselves with the word
Christian," Rolfs says. "Many are really just glorified pyramid
schemes. They trap churches using the same techniques that catch
ordinary investors every day: high returns and quick profits."
Stick with solid, proven investments. And repeat often the old adage
"If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."?
http://www.christianitytoday.com/yc/2000/006/6.34.html
?I am not promoting a (?give more so you can get more?) philosophy,
like we so often hear. That?s wrong. God is not obligated to bring us
financial returns in a short amount of time. But instead, God says,
?Friends, honor me with a portion of your income; give joyfully and
with trust, and because I am a gracious God I will reward you ? in
ways you never dreamed possible. Trust me, ?God says, ?if you honor me
and give, I will honor you and bring a harvest.? (investment and
increase).
Let me push this a little farther and hopefully it will get a little
clearer. Giving must also become a regular habit. If you watch around
the country side in the next couple weeks farmers will be starting
their tractors and beginning to prepare their fields for seeding. It?s
a habit for them, every spring it happens, like clock work. Every year
in fact you?ll never hear a farmer say, ? I think I?ll just not seed
this spring, and I?ll just use that time when I?d be seeding to get
ready for harvest.? That doesn?t make sense. Sowing seeds, just like
giving, has to be a regular habit.
Whenever this subject of giving comes up, giving to God?s work, there
are lots of very practical questions: How much should I give? And
where should I give it, and where does tithing fit in with giving?
Etc., etc?.?
http://www.lakeviewchurch.com/sermons/sermons05/bigfatchurchywords-tithing.html
Websites with Tips for Increasing Tithing
==========================================
http://www.commongroundchristiannews.com/jan2005/pastorarticle.html
http://www.stewardship.org/resources/steward_research/tenprac-research.html
http://www.christianitytoday.com/bcl/areas/stewardship/articles/le-8l3-8l3090.html
http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=16277
http://members.cox.net/skreyola/refl002.htm
Interesting Reading
===================
http://www.adherents.com/misc/giving.html
Opinions on tithing
http://www.challies.com/community/archives/000823.php
Giving
http://www.crown.org/pamphlets/pdfs/Giving%20and%20Tithing.pdf
Bible Studies on tithing
http://www.parentalguide.com/Documents/Bible_Studies/Tithing.htm
One Church?s Tithing Experiment
http://www.joyfulheart.com/church/tith-dem.htm
Arguments for Non-tithers
http://www.worldchristians.org/ske/ske-18.htm
Spiritual Sweatshop
http://www.joyfulheart.com/church/sweatshop.htm
Helping Parishoners with their finances
http://www.lifeaudio.com/ministries/lightsource/main/customitems/cma__Towner9.pdf
http://www.christianitytoday.com/yc/9y5/9y5068.html
Church Budgeting
http://www.rmni.org/financial/ChurchBudgeting.pdf
Full Giving Potential
http://www.lifeaudio.com/ministries/lightsource/main/customitems/cma__Hayden.pdf
90 Day Money Back Guarntee
http://www.kluth.org/church/90daytest.htm
Case Study
http://www.strategicnetwork.org/index.php?loc=kb&view=v&page=v&id=9467&printerfriendly=Y&lang=EN
Tithing Newsletter
http://www.tithe.org/news_0601.html
Generous Giving
http://www.generousgiving.org/page.asp?sec=87&page=169
Other resources
http://www.churchfinancialministries.com/Trial.htm
You said you did not want to fundraise, but you may want to reconsider
it. Saturday night Bingo games and pizza parties not only raise
money, but they allow parishioners to meet each other.
Fund Raising Ideas
http://www.succeed-making-money.com/fundraising/fundraising_events_fairs_bazaars_dances_bingo_dinners.shtml
Same Tithe Every Month
======================
What this means for churches is that the convenience of electronic
giving could lead to increased giving and reduced costs associated
with handling cash. When someone donates to your church online, they
can choose to have that donation automatically repeated every month.
Consider that a congregant may forget to bring a check or their wallet
to church, or miss church for an entire month. Does giving at your
church go down during summer months when people are on vacation and
not attending?
With automated electronic giving, donations continue to be made even
if the congregant is not able to attend. Automated electronic
donations are just one less thing for the congregant to have to think
about, simplifying their daily life while preserving their opportunity
to help the church. This one attribute alone should encourage churches
to use online donations, as it is an immensely powerful tool for
increasing and maintaining donations, more than offsetting the fees
associated with the service.?
http://www.christianitytoday.com/yc/2005/005/6.74.html
http://www.christianitytoday.com/yc/2004/005/5.62.html
Have a credit card button on church website and advertise it.
?eGive provides Churches with a complete turnkey electronic solution
for collecting offerings that is easy, efficient, cost effective and
increases giving. In addition to increasing donations, the deposit
preparation time and bookkeeping burden on your Church is reduced and
the collection process efficiency is improved. eGive pays for itself,
decreases the burden on your Church and increases, speeds up and evens
out cash flow.?
http://egive-usa.com/benefits/churches.cfm
Cell Phone Towers, if your church is not located in a residential
area. (Our church has one and receives about $1,000/month)
http://www.kbtx.com/news/features/6/1024726.html
http://www.thecharlottepost.com/08_25_business2.html
Online auctions
http://www.cmarket.com/cause/faith.htm?WT.srch=1
Pizza Cards
http://www.buyforcharity.com/pizzacard.asp
Cookbooks
http://www.fundcraft.com/fc/home.asp
Least Popular idea
http://www.holyobserver.com/detail.php?isu=v02i04&art=tithe
I hope this has given you some ideas! Anecdotally, I can tell you,
parishioners that feel they are a part of the church family, and
participate in church activities are more likely to tithe. This is how
fundraising can not only increase cash flow, it gives church members a
way to know each other.
If any part of my answer is unclear, please request an Answer
Clarification, before rating. I will be happy to assist you further on
this question.
Search Terms
increasing + church tithes
increasing church offerings
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