Episode 77: How this Parish Increased Their Weekly Giving by 40%
Get our FREE Raising Givers Guide: rebuiltparish.com/raisinggivers Resources: Church Money, by Fr. Michael White & Tom Corcoran - https://a.co/d/e7Vq7RV Finance & Stewardship Equip Course: https://www.rebuiltparish.com/finance-equip-course Rebuilt Conference: https://www.rebuiltparish.com/conference25 Summary In this episode of the Rebuilt Parish podcast, Father Roger Gustafson and Lisa Rosenlund share their transformative journey at St. Hilary's parish. They discuss the importance of prayer in stewardship, the impact of personal giving, and the significance of casting a compelling vision for the community. The conversation highlights how engaging with high-capacity givers and focusing on relationships rather than needs has led to substantial growth and support for the parish's initiatives. In this conversation, Melissa and Fr. Roger Gustafson discuss the importance of stewardship in the church, emphasizing the role of prayer, the five Ps of giving, and the cultural shifts necessary for increasing generosity among parishioners. They share metrics of success, the transition to electronic giving, and strategies for sustaining a culture of giving over time. The conversation concludes with recommendations for resources that can help parish leaders implement effective stewardship practices. Takeaways Everything begins and ends with prayer. Prayer invites God into a partnership with us. Giving is a part of discipleship, not just a duty. Personal giving sets an example for the congregation. Casting a vision is more inspiring than asking for needs. Engaging high-capacity givers requires understanding their passions. Successful stewardship involves intentional planning and relationship building. Generosity grows when people understand the impact of their giving. Prayer is essential when launching new initiatives. Vision casting helps align donor interests with parish goals. Prayer is a crucial element in the stewardship process. The five Ps of giving are planned, priority, percentage, progressive, and prayer. A 40% increase in general collections indicates successful stewardship efforts. Encouraging online and recurring giving is essential for budgeting. Cultural shifts in discussing money are necessary for growth. Sustaining a culture of generosity requires intentionality and connection. Thank you notes can significantly enhance donor engagement. Building relationships with major donors is key to increasing contributions. Starting with one initiative can lead to broader changes over time. Utilizing available resources can support parish leaders in their stewardship efforts. Sound Bites "Everything begins and ends with prayer." "Giving is a part of discipleship." "I should do this too." "Bold prayers honor God and God honors bold prayers." "We encourage people to think in terms of percentage." "We've seen roughly a 40% increase in our general collections." Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to St. Hilary's Journey 02:57 - The Role of Prayer in Stewardship 05:46 - Personal Giving and Its Impact 09:06 - Casting a Compelling Vision 12:00 - Engaging High Capacity Givers 21:55 - The Power of Prayer in Stewardship 22:49 - Understanding the Five Ps of Giving 25:48 - Measuring Success: Metrics of Giving 28:12 - The Shift to Electronic Giving 32:25 - Cultural Shifts in Parish Giving 35:22 - Sustaining a Culture of Generosity 40:43 - Strategic Planning for Future Growth 42:45 - Resources for Parish Leaders Keywords St. Hilary, stewardship, prayer, personal giving, vision casting, parish growth, financial support, community engagement, generosity, church leadership, stewardship, prayer, giving, parish growth, electronic giving, cultural shift, generosity, strategic planning, church resources Rate, Review, & Follow us wherever you listen to podcasts! “I love the Rebuilt Podcast! It’s helping my parish make strides in parish renewal!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! Thi