MS 202 Generosity Class 5

Brad Leeper & David Thoroughman Brad Leeper is President and Principal at Generis, a nationally-acclaimed group that focuses on generosity in churches. He has a team of 27 coaches that accelerate generosity toward God-inspired vision. David is the President and CEO of MortarStone, a privately-owned Christian data analysis company headquartered in Reno, Nevada, with employees in Chicago, Seattle, and Pittsburgh.

Class 5—Focus on the Future In four classes, we have seen both best practices and two church case studies. Implementing that knowledge is the next step. Brad Leeper will continue his discussion of best practices and give examples of how churches have established a culture of generosity. There will be plenty of time for discussion, so bring your questions. David Thoroughman will expand on the role of metrics.

Objectives  Movement toward application and best practices  2 case studies

What keeps a senior pastor from implementing a giving culture that matches discipleship values?

 Tyranny of the urgent  Reluctant board  Years of different perspectives

What will be your essential steps of action? With you or with your board?

How do we safeguard privacy?

 Determine if you as the pastor should know giving data.  Determine if you as the pastor should know the person watching the data.  Always guard privacy.

What are the common mistakes in the offering moment?

 Perfunctory  Same language  Reinforcing common perceptions  Lack of intentionality

What is a backdoor giver and why does it matter?

 Pastoral indicator like a check-engine light  Easier to keep a giver than to find a replacement giver  Easier to elevate a current giver than to find a new giver  Discipleship care in giving is a huge spiritual boost

Strategy and Data  If its not broken…THEN BREAK IT!  The double edge sword – ‘IS’ past performance an indicator of the future?  What are the favorable and unfavorable consequences of ‘the norm’?  Case in point, Church #2 what did we learn?

Strategy and Data  Is it surprising that a budget shortfall is on the horizon?  What does a year-end ‘catch-up your giving’ message tell us about culture?

Strategy and Data  Conversely, is is surprising that there is continued growth?

Strategy and Data Weekend attendance and annual giving are good markers – but should be used with additional KPMs  Data is not biased, rather objective  What you measure can create a false positive  Ignorance is bliss…but now you know! Data Validates – Strategy Fixes!

Knowing your PULSE Note: 78% of of donor universe is a GU [$200+]

PULSE – Gift Band Analysis

Combining Strategy & Data  Coming full circle - Lets not get overwhelmed and do nothing!  When considering KPMs and strategy, think about how it ties back to ministry and various teams that are responsible to the various giver groups  Three primary cohorts that KPMs tie back to: 1.New Givers 2.Existing Givers 3.Lapsed [back door] Givers

The 3-Cohorts defined 1.New Giver – retention, growth and assimilation  First time giver to regular giver to generous giver – how do we move them?  How do we measure success? 2.Existing Giver – holistic stewardship strategy requires analysis and strategy across all gift bands  Is financial stewardship considered a ‘spiritual discipline’?  How is it taught?  Does it meet with your culture?  Which one needs alignment? 3.Retention – pastoral care, ministry programming, etc…  Giving is nothing more than a pastoral indicator – how will you approach it?  2-key questions: 1. Can we be praying for anything specific for you and your family? 2. Is the church meeting your needs and if not, what can we work on?

Using technology to create margin

The Great Hypothesis  This is not theory, have confidence that many have come before you!  Self assessment - where are you strong? what can be improved?  The question -- continue the trajectory or time for mid- course adjustments?