"Fundraising is proclaiming what we believe in such a way that we offer other people an opportunity to participate with us in our vision and mission." — Henri J. M. Nouwen, A Spirituality of Fundraising.
It is important that the pastor and/or church regularly communicates financial need to viewers online and through any other communications efforts with the congregation, inviting their congregation to give tithes and offerings to make a difference through the ministries of the church. This page provides some tools to help in that task.
How You Can Help Your Church Now
The Rev. Dustin Petz, president and CEO of the Kansas Methodist Foundation (formerly the Kansas Area United Methodist Foundation), and Jackie Urkoski, executive director of the Nebraska United Methodist Foundation, have provided a series of videos with advice for United Methodists on how they can give to their churches now, during the coronavirus pandemic.
The following companies may provide opportunities for online giving that meet the needs of your local church:
VANCO — Go to www.vancopayments.com – Vanco has been supporting electronic giving for churches for more than 20 years and is recommended by our conference administrative staff. In response to the COVID-19 crisis, any UMC church that enrolls with Vanco now will see the monthly fee for the Start Plan waived for a full year; those that enroll with the Sustain Plan will see that monthly fee waived for the first 3 months.
Stripe — This online platform allows a local church to accept offerings and tithes.
Paypal — This platform gives customers a fast, easy checkout process and accepts payment methods such as credit cards, debit cards, and Venmo.
Tithe.ly — This giving platform was developed especially for churches.
While the way we worship is changing radically, Christ’s call for us to be generous givers has not. On the MyCom newsletter from United Methodist Communications, Jeremy Steelereminds pastors that when the topic turns to generous giving to the church, make sure you are “casting a vision worthy of support,” that includes three basic parts:
Something wonderful your church is doing.
A reminder that it is supported by gifts.
An intentional ask.
When inviting congregants to give electronically, keep your instructions as simple as possible like just referring people to the main page of your website. For online worship, include a direct link to your online giving site, if possible.
There are lots of other great options for churches to use for online giving. United Methodist Communications offers a helpful rundown here.
Your local bank can help set up automatic payments for those who would like it.
For givers in your congregation who are uncomfortable with giving online, consider sending them a letter explaining the church’s needs with a self-addressed envelope.
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