DISCIPLING GIVERS
Discipling givers is much more than cultivating a donor. It is a significant act of spiritual mentoring. Its goal is not to secure a big donation for a project dear to the heart of the one doing the asking. It is an act of love that has as its primary purpose helping the giver discern God’s hope for their life and resources. Articles or series of articles in the church newsletter, along with a special informational piece mailed to each household are excellent ways to let everyone know about the mission and ways of supporting it through the capital campaign. However, these are no substitute for opportunities to talk about these matters where listeners can ask questions of leaders and assess the level of support coming from their own circle of friends. Be sure to include small group opportunities as part of your “telling the story” efforts. These can be as elaborate as a banquet or as informal as including the essential facts about the capital campaign in casual conversation in a setting that is totally unrelated to the offering.
Discipling depends on establishing a relationship between potential givers and key spiritual leaders. A frequently employed method is an informal social event (perhaps in a parishioner’s home) to which a campaign worker invites potential givers. It is made clear that a part of the evening will be devoted to a presentation about the campaign but that there will be no invitation to give during the event. Such presentations impart information very well and serve notice that the capital campaign will be approaching the potential gift giver to ask his or her support.
The object of these events is to tell the story of the congregations’s vision and mission, and to create a conversation about the work to which God is calling its people. The occasion is a success if guests leave feeling a general knowledge of the Vision for Ministry for the capital campaign without feeling pressured to make a decision about giving.
Important Note – Though you may not plan on making a “hard sell” invitation to give at the gathering, be prepared to answer if someone asks, “How much do you need” or “How much do you expect me to give?” It is a good idea to look over the guest list in advance and decide how you might answer each person. Your answers may range from a specific amount to a comparison amount like “an amount equal to your country club dues, as much as you plan to give to your favorite charity, or as much as you plan to spend on the family vacation.”
Adapted from The Alleluia Fund: A Guide for Dioceses and Congregations
