Churches and Nonprofits: Creating a Culture of Generosity
Churches and charitable nonprofits have a paradoxical relationship with fund-raising and stewardship.
Often, they desperately need resources. But they either don’t know how to ask for money or aren’t willing to take the risk of doing so. Sometimes houses of worship and nonprofits rise to the occasion for a singular fund-raiser or building campaign, and this is commendable. But what’s needed is a 52-week-per-year strategy that ultimately creates a culture of generosity. This culture looks beyond its own walls and seeks to give toward and partner with nonprofits and the greater community.
“If it is truly more blessed to give than to receive, churches and ministries deprive their members and community if they fail to champion the art of generous giving.”
In this webinar, our expert guest is Scott Harris, Vice President of Church and Global Engagement at Mission Increase, an organization that provides free coaching and consulting to faith-based nonprofits to help them flourish. Mission Increase champions an approach that celebrates the work of churches and nonprofits because of the great potential they have to complement and strengthen one another and their communities. A rising tide of generosity lifts all.
Webinar topic outline
Introduction to Ministry Pacific and Mission Increase
The challenge to generous giving
Identifying and addressing low levels of giving among churchgoers.
The importance of churches modeling generosity and giving.
Examples of churches that have embraced radical generosity.
Partnerships between Churches and Nonprofits
The importance of seeing churches and nonprofits as co-laborers.
Challenges and opportunities in church/nonprofit relationships.
Strategies for building fruitful and enduring partnerships.
Resources and Next Steps
The availability of training and coaching resources from Mission Increase.
Encouragement for churches and nonprofits to connect and collaborate.
Summary OF “CREATING A CULTURE OF GENEROSITY” WEBINAR
Churches and nonprofits must view each other as collaborators rather than competitors. The historically complex relationship between these entities has sometimes resulted in misunderstandings and conflict. What is needed is a mindset shift recognizing that both congregations and nonprofits are integral parts of the larger "big C" church, which can ultimately enhance their collective mission and outreach. There are compelling examples, such as Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church's radical generosity in donating half of its budget, that illustrate how a culture of giving can drive growth and impact.
The APEST model – representing the roles of apostle, prophet, evangelist, shepherd, and teacher – is a framework for cultivating diverse leadership within churches. By ensuring all five voices are represented, congregations can foster a more outward-focused and generous approach to ministry. Scott Harris, Vice President of Church and Global Engagement at Mission Increase, calls attention to communication disconnects, urging churches to avoid "sophisticated mediocrity" and instead promote genuine acts of giving. Recognizing the shift in interests among younger givers, Scott encourages churches to connect with causes that resonate with this demographic.
To further strengthen the relationship between churches and nonprofits, Scott shares practical strategies, such as tithing a portion of building campaigns to support trustworthy ministries. Regardless of size or resources, churches have the opportunity to bless and uplift the nonprofits in their communities, ultimately creating a more significant and lasting impact.
Overview of Main Ideas in “cultivating a culture of generosity”
Beyond Dollars: Cultivating a Culture of Generosity in Churches and Nonprofits
Allies in Service: How Churches and Nonprofits Can Collaborate for Greater Impact
From Scarcity to Abundance: A Theological Shift in Church Generosity
Radical Generosity: Transforming Church Budgets for Community Good
Modeling Generosity: Inspiring Churchgoers to Embrace Spiritual Giving
The Big C Church: Uniting Congregations and Nonprofits for Lasting Change
Diverse Voices, Greater Impact: Leadership Perspectives for Outward-Focused Ministries
The Generosity Principle: Rethinking Giving in the Modern Church
Transformative Partnerships: How Churches Can Serve and Support Local Needs
A New Era for Ministry: Growth of Faith-Based Nonprofits and the Future of Churches
Timestamped Overview of “Creating a Culture of Generosity” Webinar
00:00:00 00:01:31
Roy Harryman introduces the webinar and explains the mission of Ministry Pacific, an insurance broker dedicated to serving churches and nonprofits.
00:01:31 00:02:44
Scott Harris, Vice President of Church and Global Engagement with Mission Increase, is introduced. He elaborates on Mission Increase's role in coaching faith-based nonprofits in organizational health and fundraising.
00:02:45 00:04:22
Scott discusses how Mission Increase provides free services due to the funding from generous donors, who wish to equip nonprofits instead of just providing financial aid.
00:04:22 00:05:33
Scott explains that even those outside cities with a local coach can still connect with Mission Increase through the national community.
00:05:34 00:07:00
Roy reflects on the vision of Mission Increase to provide sustainable support to faith-based nonprofits rather than temporary fixes.
00:07:00 00:08:53
Scott speaks about the lack of resources for faith-based nonprofits compared to congregations, emphasizing the need for more support in this sector.
00:08:53 00:09:56
Discussion of survey findings indicating low giving rates among churchgoers and exploration of the reasons behind this trend.
00:09:56 00:11:39
Scott introduces the concept that "generosity begets generosity," emphasizing that churches need to model generosity in order to inspire their congregants.
00:11:41 00:14:57
Scott shares findings from his research on churches that give away a significant portion of their income and how this impacts their growth and community perception.
00:14:59 00:15:48
Roy discusses the excitement around local community engagement versus international work, highlighting the need for a balanced approach.
00:15:48 00:19:20
Scott outlines various types of local nonprofits churches can partner with, stressing the importance of both local and international outreach.
00:19:20 00:22:27
Scott reflects on the challenges in relationships between churches and nonprofits, advocating for a cooperative rather than adversarial approach.
00:22:27 00:23:12
Emphasizes the importance of mutual benefit between churches and nonprofits in serving the community effectively.
00:23:12 00:25:49
Scott discusses how churches and nonprofits can work more collaboratively, seeing one another as allies rather than competitors.
00:25:49 00:26:36
Scott highlights the need for healthy partnerships and constructive communication between churches and nonprofits.
00:26:37 00:29:59
Discussion on how to select partners and the importance of viewing both churches and nonprofits as co-laborers in community service.
00:29:59 00:30:15
Scott shares a case study from Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, which has a longstanding commitment to giving 50% of its budget to missions.
00:30:16 00:31:58
The impact of having a generous budget on church growth and community involvement.
00:31:58 00:35:07
Scott stresses the importance of sharing compelling stories of generosity within the church to inspire further giving.
00:35:07 00:41:59
Discussion on the balance between internal operations and external generosity in church budgets and the perception of generosity among congregants.
00:41:59 00:43:07
Roy inquires about community impact through consistent church involvement, and Scott shares a successful example of a building campaign tied to community generosity.
00:43:07 00:45:43
Scott elaborates on the positive community response and the lessons learned from setting aside a portion of building campaign funds for missions.
00:45:43 00:48:16
The mechanics of how the church integrated giving into their building campaign and communicated this to the congregation.
00:48:17 00:50:55
Scott emphasizes the need for church leaders to model generosity and integrate it into worship experiences.
00:50:55 00:53:39
Discussion on the applicability of generosity principles for small congregations, with examples of successful community involvement.
00:53:39 00:54:33
Scott discusses available resources and support for churches and nonprofits to enhance their generosity efforts.
00:54:33 00:54:37
Closing remarks from Roy and Scott, encouraging further conversation and offering consultation services.
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