Episode 77: How this Parish Increased Their Weekly Giving by 40%

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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 P