Insights Into: Series

“Insights Into” is a new series for clergy and lay leaders who suddenly find themselves challenged to think about ways to help their congregation infuse some area of congregational life with new energy and purposefulness.   Each resource in the series will provide a quick, engaging, encouraging introduction to the how and why of addressing a particular area of ministry.

The first issue in the series, Insights Into FINANCIAL GIVING is now available for purchase.  To purchase copies of the six-page booklet contact Sheryl Wiggins, at Hartford Seminary’s Hartford Institute for Religion Research, 860.509.9542 or swiggins@hartsem.edu.

Prices:  $2.00 per copy, including first class postage
            10 copies for $15.00, including first class postage
             25 copies for $30.00, including first class postage

Insights into Financial Giving begins with a few facts to get you thinking.  For example, while giving to congregational finances as a percent of member income is higher today than 25 years ago, it is not as high as it was in the 1950s and 1060s.

There are also tips on why financial giving is considered important, to help congregations as they plan their financial campaigns. For example, Money Matters: Personal Giving in American Churches, a recent study of church finances, identifies four basic motivations: Thankfulness and Altruism, Reciprocity with God, Reciprocity with the individual’s faith group, and Giving as an extension of the self.

Insights into Financial Giving also poses 11 “bottom line questions” and asks congregations to consider which are appropriate to them, which take priority and what steps they would take to respond to them. One says, for example, “Remember that people give to people and not to budgets and shortages. The first rule of fundraising is to ask. Do you ask personally and connect the contributions to how they concretely assist people in their spiritual, physical, and other needs?”

Finally, to enable congregations to take advantage of the information it provides, Insights into Financial Giving offers a series of next steps.

Insights into Financial Giving was written by Dirk J. Hart, a retired pastor and denominational executive in church development.

Coming Soon:

Insights Into Youth Ministry
Insights Into Conflict Management
Insights Into Church Growth