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Most churches in their capital stewardship journeys do a better job in casting the

vision to raise the funds than in keeping the vision alive during the giving period. For

instance, many churches are more comfortable in casting vision on how the project

will improve ministry and provide opportunity to make a difference in God's Kingdom,

but way too often, church leadership goes silent when the giving begins. It is here that

the vision wanes and the stewardship journey loses its sense of passion,

meaningfulness, and joy within the congregation. As a result, giving tapers off a

little… or worse, a lot.

In my role as Vice President for RSI Stewardship, I have seen churches do extremely

well during the giving phase of the campaign, but I have also experienced a campaign

where this phase did not go well. This phase has typically been called the “Follow-Up”

phase of the campaign. The very nature of the words “Follow-up” carries the idea of

keeping something going until the very end. This is where many have fallen short.

So, if you’re wondering how to avoid some of these pitfalls in your next capital

campaign, here are six keys to keep the momentum alive.

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The purpose of the follow-up strategy is to keep the vision alive. During the capital

stewardship journey, churches usually do a good job of casting the vision: churches

share WHAT they are doing, WHY they are doing it, and HOW the project will help the

church fulfill its purpose and increase ministry. As the church communicates the

vision, the congregation members are asked to pray: “God, what is Your will for my life

as it relates to Your will for Your church?” The church members hear the vision, own

the vision, and passionately support the vision financially. All good.

Here’s the issue. The further we get away from an event or experience, the less we

vividly “see” that high point. The three happiest, most significant, most enriching days

of my life were the birth of my three daughters Melissa, Michelle, and Megan. The

first time I held my firstborn in my arms, my DNA changed. I was a different human

being. I was a new human being (those of you who are parents can relate). But here

are the facts. I really don’t remember what any of my girls looked like the day they

were born. It’s been too long. Time dulls and dims vision.

Years ago I heard a speaker say, “Vision unreinforced, dies in 27 days.” As a lead

pastor at the time, that statement scared me to death. Surely I had misheard it!

During the break, I went to the speaker to confirm his comment. I asked, “Does that

mean that every month, I have to find a new, creative way to communicate the things

I believe are important?!” Unfortunately, the reply was, “Yes”. So, the purpose of

follow-up for your capital stewardship journey (or any ministry initiative, for that

matter) is to keep the vision alive.

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FACT: People don’t like to be nagged.

We tend to think of follow-up as simply sharing financial reports, either verbally from

the platform or as an announcement in the worship program. Often, it sounds

something like this:

“You have pledged/committed $XXX,XXX amount of dollars,

but we’ve only received $XXX,XXX amount of dollars.”

This implies, “Deadbeats, GET WITH IT!” The problem with this approach also results

in one of two things happening during the follow-up stage of your stewardship

journey:

1) The congregation either tolerates or ignores the nag, or

2) We don’t say anything. We don’t bring it up much. We just “let it ride”

hoping the giving will keep pace with the pledges.

The opportunity for church members to own the church’s vision and to make a

contribution to the expansion of God’s Kingdom quickly dissolves and results in

monies being spent on less worthy endeavors. Ultimately, we miss out on helping

church members grow in the grace of giving.

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Find creative, FUN, ministry-driven ways to keep the vision alive. Some examples:

When announcing a dollar given amount, instead of someone standing up

and simply saying, "So far we have given $500,000 dollars," Do something

like, "Our high school students are going to come to build a victory pyramid.

Each student will represent $50,000 we have given to the project. Count the

students and you will know how much we have given." Now it is not a boring

announcement. It's an event!

Have a bunch of third graders on the platform with large posters. On the

back of each poster are single numbers that reveal how much has been given

to-date as the children flip their posters. Again, it is not a boring

announcement. What’s cuter than a bunch of third graders on the platform?

Children bring a flower to a vase at the front of the worship center. Each

flower represents a certain amount which has been given to the capital

project. As an alternative, consider doing this with a bouquet of balloons.

Perhaps a mature couple can do a funny skit about how much has been given

to-date.

Consider making a two minute video of a family or single mom that has been

impacted by your ministry project. People can get really excited over

personal stories. It can remind them of the heart behind the vision.

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FINANCIAL MILESTONES. As receipts break through large financial goals, it makes

sense to share these achievements with the congregation. The creative sharing of this

accomplishment should be done with celebration and appreciation.

ANNIVERSARIES are a good time to celebrate and communicate successes. I

recommend monthly anniversaries the first year while the excitement is still fresh.

During the first year of our marriage, my wife and I celebrated “monthiversaries.” It

was fun. Churches can do this on some level as well. Allow me to explain. Provide

updates every 3 months throughout the second year of giving and every 6 months the

third year. Don’t forget to make it fun and exciting!

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT MILESTONES. Anytime something significant happens in

terms of moving a step closer to accomplishing the vision, share this with the

congregation.

Whenever you sign contracts with architects, contractors, etc.

When you achieve important zoning “okays.”

Construction development opportunities such as carpeting, dry walling, etc.

Side note: Something I’ve seen that really excites and encourages a congregation

to continue to be invested in the vision is to have people write prayer requests, Bible

verses, people for whom they are praying for on the cement floor before the carpet

is laid.

Obviously, events such as a ground breaking, grand opening, and new facility

dedications should be used as an opportunity to thank people for their faithful

generosity.

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MINISTRY RESULTS. Sharing ministry results is powerful, and fortunately, we have a lot

of these during the third year of the giving phase which is when a church needs to be

reminded of the vision the most.

Share ministry reports comparing last year's attendance in a ministry area to the

attendance this year. For example, if a church constructed a children's ministry

facility, a report such as "On this Sunday/weekend last year, before we had this new

Children's Ministry facility, was 211. This year, on the same Sunday/weekend, we

ministered to 489 children and their families!" Wouldn't that be a wow?! Wouldn't

that be worth sharing?!

Share about lives and families which have come into the ministries of the church

through the addition of the ministry facility. As another illustration, you could create a

short video which tells of ministry impact, such as a person sharing that the first time

they came on the church campus was to attend the women's exercise class. The

person began to like some of the other ladies, came to worship a few Sundays, and

now the whole family is connected with the church. Wouldn't that be a cool video for

all to see?!

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It’s important to mention what a difference a simple “thank you” can do for someone.

Scripture even gives us countless examples of this.

“I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ.”

I Corinthians 1:4

The bottom line is that ALL announcements regarding your campaign should end with

a “thank you.” When you close your announcement with a genuine “thank you” to

those who have given consistently and sacrificially, it will not feel like a nag or a

nuisance to your listeners. They’ll want to celebrate with you!

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It’s imperative to create a spreadsheet or tracking system to monitor the giving

efforts of your congregation during the campaign, i.e. amount pledged, planned

frequency of gifts whether that’s weekly or monthly, etc. Obtaining this

information will help your projections and reveal if you’re on track with your goal.

Expect there to be some ebb and flow surrounding the receipts of pledges.

Traditionally speaking, pledges do not come in equal 1/3 amounts each year of a

three year campaign.

Another important element is to create intentional focus time for church staff to

keep the vision alive for themselves. The staff’s attention tends to move to the next

“big thing” on the horizon. This time with your team can reap huge dividends.

Many times, they will have completely different perspectives and can offer some

essential feedback.

Here are some thoughts on things to discuss:

Where are we (amount pledged to date)?

Where should we be according to plan?

How long has it been since we’ve shared updated info with the

congregation?

What would be a fun, creative way to keep the vision alive?

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“Where there is no vision the people perish.”

Proverbs 29:18

It is certainly true in your church's capital stewardship journey that if you do not

keep the vision alive in the minds of your congregation, the giving period "will

perish." That is, the receipts will not be as strong as pledged

The NIV translates Proverbs 29:18, “Where there is no vision … the people cast off

restraint.” When people do not have vision, they lack the discipline necessary to be

successful in any endeavor, i.e. sports, academics, career, family life, investment

strategies, weight control, stewardship pledges, etc.

If we do not keep the vision alive in front of our church members, then in the

months to come, time will dull/dim the vision and they will cast off restraint and

will spend their pledged money on other “stuff.” Money that was originally

dedicated to the Kingdom, simply perishes and people miss an opportunity to

partner with God’s mission for their church and abroad.

Follow up doesn’t have to have a bad reputation. Let’s change this mindset and not

“nag,” but encourage and inspire with positive, creative messaging!

The goal of your church's follow-up ministry is to help persons grow in the grace of

giving. For God so loved … He gave! It’s not about "keeping the money coming in"

as much as it is keeping the vision strong and vibrant in front of the congregation.

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5. Contact us to discuss your church’s needs.

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Dale McConnell served for more than 17 years as a lead

pastor in several churches throughout Missouri. Dale

has led thriving stewardship campaigns in churches of

many denominations, raising over 200 million dollars for

local church ministries. Dale has led three churches to

raise over ten million dollars each. As a Vice President

with RSI, Dale is motivated by assisting churches at a

critical stage in their development – “Follow-up.”