Raising Money in This Economy The Ministry of Raising Money to Start a Church

Dave Page

Raising Money

• Most church planters don’t know how

• If you can’t raise money, you can’t start a church

• Big takeaway: People give to VISION, not need.

“He who casts the vision must be able

to fund the vision.” – Rick Warren

A Major Study

• Planters are unrealistic about startup costs.

• Most planters need to raise 100-200K for two years.

• Underfunding = Failure

• Balance: Too little, too much

Fund Raising vs. Giving?

• Fund Raising

Colleting money from others in return for a product, service, reward or recognition.

• Giving

Challenging ourselves and others to give out of our own resources for spiritual reasons.

Focus: Raising disciples not raising funds

Raising $ in a Tough Economy

TIPS …

• Think Outside the Box

• Make Course Corrections as Needed

• Use Your Website Well

• Engage Donors with Social Media

Raising $ in a Tough Economy

TIPS …

• Empathize with Donors

• Get Personal (Face-to-Face)

• Be Positive & Enthusiastic

• Explain How Their Gift Will Help Start the Church

• Just Ask!

What Can You Expect?

1. To see some breakthroughs, even some miracles

2. To grow spiritually

3. To be hassled by Satan

4. To sense an affirmation of your calling

5. To experience JOY!

Why Do People Give?8 Reasons Why People Give

8 Reasons Why People Give

People Give When …

① They TRUST the leadership

② They catch the VISION, not when they see a need

Four Essential Parts of the Vision to Communicate:

1. The Purpose (Why?)

2. The Need (Why Now?)

3. The Possibility (How?)

4. The Benefits (What Will Be The Results?)

Reactions from People

Be Prepared for 3 Different Reactions:

1. Those who will give no matter what you say or do

2. Those who will never give no matter what you say or do

3. Those who will give when they CATCH THE VISION (Focus on #3)

Some people who you thought would give a lot won’t give at all or will give very

little and some who you thought wouldn’t give at all or would give a little will

give a lot. Key: Value every GIVER and every GIFT!

Reasons People Get Upset

3 Reasons People Get Upset About Giving:

1. Hurt - They are caught up in their own pain

2. Guilt – Don’t want to give or feel they can’t afford it

3. Naïve – They think that everything will pay for itself

8 Reasons Why People Give

People Give When …

① They TRUST the leadership

② They catch the VISION, not when they see a need

③ Because it feels GOOD to give

④ They are INSPIRED by models

⑤ They are INVOLVED in the process

⑥ You ASK them to give

⑦ You make it POSSIBLE and EASY to give (Show how)

⑧ Their gifts are APPRECIATED!

FIND WAYS TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR GIFTS!

- Rick Warren

6 Reasons People Give

① IMACT of the organization’s work

② EFFICIENCY with which the organization uses funds

③ The presence of a COMPELLING VISION

④ Donor’s personal RELATIONSHIP w/the organization

⑤ The personal BENEFIT the donor receives by giving

⑥ The URGENCY of the need

• - Barna Research Group

Practical Tips for Raising $

How to Finance the Plan

Financing the Plan

• When God truly calls an individual to start a church, He is simultaneously speaking to others about funding the church. The Church Planter’s job is to find those people and churches.

 • Pray for God to supply what the church needs.

• Share your Strategic Master (Business) Plan that includes your

purpose, values, vision, strategy, and budget.

 • Make a list of all potential donors and pray about who to contact.

 •  

Sources of Funds

Sources of Funds:

• Denominations and “Association & District Churches” (EFCA, NAMB, AG, etc.)• Mother Church Support (Share your desire to be part of what they are already doing)• Church Planting Networks (ARC, Launch, Acts 29, Stadia, Converge, PLAN A, etc.• Partner Church Support (Other churches) • Director of Missions• Interested Donors• College & Seminary Grants• Foundations• People you have Influenced• People with a heart for the Area• Family• Friends

 •  

A Strategic Ministry/Business

 •  

• Wedding Pastors Network

Wedding Pastor Dave

A Win-Win Opportunity:

Provide a great service

Reach out to unchurched couples and their families and friends

Make extra money to help support your family and plant the church

www.WeddingPastorDave.com

What is Needed?

Ask People to Contribute by:

• Making a Master (Business) Plan – available on website & request

• Making a Brochure with the highlights to give out or mail

• Send a letter asking them to pray about giving to the project

• Enlist Prayer Partners

• Create a Newsletter (Constant Contact, Mail Chip)

• Seek to get a face-to-face meeting

• Seek to talk to them on the phone if you can’t meet face-to-face

 

 

Raising Up Financial Partners

 

• What Financial Partners are looking for:

• A solid plan• A conservative (modest) budget• A proven leader 

• Focus on Churches over Individuals for Financial Partners

• Build a Team of Financial Partners with the Mall Concept 

Malls secure their anchor stores before they begin construction. Secure

the right anchor stores and you will fill in the rest. Ask your Financial Partners

for others they know who might be interested in partnering with you. Partners

bring other prospective partners.

 •   •  

Organize a “Vision Night”

• Host the meeting at your site or home

• Invite key partners and potential partners 

Key Ingredients of a Partners Vision Night:

• Socialize with other Financial Partners• Cast a Compelling Vision• Share Your Heart• Share a Proposed Budget (Pre-Launch Cost, Launch Costs Operating Costs)

• Ask for Commitments• Fun!

  •  

• “How To …”

Priorities for Limited Funds

1. Marketing your launch events

2. Providing a quality experience at your Sunday services

• Meeting space• Equipment, signs, chairs, etc.• Printed materials, bulletin, communication cards• Quality music• Refreshments

3. Lead Pastor’s salary

4. Free up the time of the Lead Pastor

• Office equipment that saves time and money• Office help• Interns• Staff (part time before full time / paid and unpaid)

Support Budget Guideline

  

Typical Planter ShortcutsDon’t Take Shortcuts

Greatest Gift

The greatest gift you can give your wife is to WORK HARD at raising support and raise the necessary funding for both a healthy church and a healthy family.

Can I get an AMEN?

Shortcut: Do Later

• We will raise the money after we get the church started.

• Should raise two thirds to three quarters before you start the church.

Short Cut: Internet

I have 1,000 Facebook friends. If each person donates just $10, I will have my budget.

Short Cut: Credit Card

Don’t put start up costs on your personal credit cards.

Short cut: Bi-vocational?

• Global Planting: 90% bi-vocational

• Some bi-vocational• High Income, Low Time

• Most bi-vocational planters• Frustrated: Wearing two hats• Plant small, struggling churches

Additional Training

People Raising Body Building

When Your Tempted to Give Up

“Great people are ready to help me at the right time, in the right way, people I don’t even know yet.

I promise I will NEVER GIVE UP because I don’t have the help. But I will trust God to provide. ‘Commit your way to the Lord, trust Him to help you do it, and He will.’ (Psalm 37:5). ‘And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.’ (Phil. 4:9).

God has the resources to help you that you have not even considered. There are multiplied thousands of persons with multiple talents and skills and concerns and contacts that God can bring into your life in order to fulfill His plans.

So, open your eyes and see the faces around you, open your ears to hear what they are saying. Today, tomorrow, next week, someone, that someone who is just the right person you need, will come along at just the right time, to fill just the right place. And you will marvel to see how God arranged it so beautifully!”

- Rick Warren

The End