Generosity Gems
April e-Newsletter

 Summertime

  

One of my favorite golden oldies songs is "Summertime, Summertime" by The Jamies. It reminds me of my younger days and the joy of summer vacation. Even now when I hear this song I feel the magic that is the summer season.

It is April and summer looms ahead. For those of us living in the upper Midwest this may mean making vacation plans, starting gardens, bringing out the golf clubs or firing up the grill. All of these hint at the magic of summertime.

For churches summer is coming too. But along with the magic often comes financial stress. What I once heard Lyle Schaller call "the summer slump" is a reality in many congregations. Worship attendance tends to be smaller in the summer because of vacations, family weekends and maybe even golf. Smaller attendance may result in smaller offerings.

Financial leaders probably identify this as a problem. One reaction is to be frustrated that parishioners don't understand the bills keep coming to the church even when they don't. But identifying the problem and being frustrated are not enough. Even communicating to parishioners that the summer slump in giving is a problem is not enough. I suggest communicating about a solution to the problem.

One solution to the problem of the summer slump in giving is inviting parishioners to pre-pay on their financial commitments.  If some members pay a month or more of their giving ahead of schedule the summer slump can be avoided or at least lessened.

So this year before summertime comes, invite your parishioners to pay ahead on their financial commitments to help cancel the summer slump. Special "Before You Go On Vacation" offering envelopes will remind them about this opportunity and make it easier for them to make their contributions.

A benefit to the contributors is that they will reach the fall on schedule or ahead instead of behind in their giving. The benefit to your church and its ministries is obvious.

As always, start by asking the leaders of your congregation to be the first to commit to giving ahead this summer. When they do it, advertise it. Lead by example and cancel the summer slump in giving.

Written by Don Schultz-Senior Program Director, The James Company