1. 12 Observations About Church Giving In 2018
JIM SHEPPARD
CEO & Principal

2. 1. The Big Shift
Declining attendance frequency of “active” members accounts for more church decline than any one issue.
In 2000, about 3.15 times per month.
In 2018, less than 2 times per month.
Dramatic shift in a short period of time.
Affects everything in the local church!

3. The Big Shift
If you are measuring Average Weekly Attendance (AWA) as the key stat, your math might be wrong.
775 AWA vs. 488 AWA = -37%
Start thinking ENGAGEMENT, not just attendance.

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Ways to adapt to changes in church attendance
A new scorecard for attendee engagement
Insights into Mobile Giving
AND MUCH MORE!
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generis.com/the-big-shift

5. 2. Multisite Is Just Getting Started
In 1998, Less Than 100
Today, More Than 5,000
Leaders want it big – people want it small. Multisite is the way to do that!
“The multisite congregation is the single most profound change in American congregations in the past century.”  Thom Rainer

6. 3. Donor Participation Is An Issue
Typical Donor Base
1,000 Households
- 540 Giving $500 or More
- 460 Giving $500 or Less

7. Donor Participation Is An Issue
1,000
Households
54%
$6,200
$3,348,000
98.1%
46%
$141
$64,860
1.9%
$3,412,860
100.0%
465

8. 4. Church Projects Are More Dependent Than Ever on Larger Gifts To Hit Top Numbers
Giving Concentration
1% = %
10% = % ==
20% = %

9. 5. Two-Year Giving Campaigns Are Becoming The Norm
Givers Like It – Shorter Planning Horizon
Churches Like It – More Predictable

10. 6. Aging Of The Established Church Donor Base
60/60 Trend
It is not unusual to see 60% or more coming from givers age 60 or older.
Hardly anyone in the established church is truly addressing it.
Have to begin to transition.

11. 7. Electronic Giving Is No Longer An Option - It Is Essential
Minimum of 40% From Non-Plate Methods
Mobile Is Mandatory
Proliferation of highly usable mobile
giving apps

12. 8. The Jury Is Our On The Effect Of The New Tax Legislation
From 27% Itemizing to About 9% Itemizing
Bundling Deductions and Donor Advised Funds

13. 9. Churches Understand Their P/L But Do Not Understand Their Donor Data Base
New donors, lapsed donors, turnover, concentration
Donor development has to be a priority

14. 10. Communications and Vision Ownership Are Big Issues
Vision and “Buy In”
Impact Matters
Givers Don’t See the Difference the Church Makes and Direct their Giving Elsewhere

15. 11. Financial Transparency
Regular disclosure of key financial information.
It is expected, not optional.
Younger donors see it as a non-negotiable issue.

16. 12. Normalizing The Conversation About Faith and Money
Still too many pastors that think it is a taboo topic.
Don’t see the giving numbers.
Discipleship is the long term win.

17. CONTACT
JIM SHEPPARD