Many churches have made the difficult decision to cancel worship services this Sunday. Your community of faith still wants to participate in church giving, so what can you do to allow them to contribute even when the doors are closed?
Your Moravian Ministries Foundation offers the following suggestions to encourage ongoing financial stewardship:
- Clearly communicate what people’s gifts mean to the church and its ministries, especially in the face of a serious health challenge that is causing a high level of uncertainty. The church knows it has staff and bills to pay, as well as what ministries it is supporting, so be sure to tell people what their money means for those ministries.
- Include a link to the church’s online giving form in an email, on your website, and on social media. Many Moravian churches who don’t have their own online giving platform are on MMFA’s Giving Portal . We are working to add all congregations as quickly as possible, so check over the coming days to see if your church’s giving link is enabled.
- Remind people they can mail checks to the church’s office and include the church’s address to make it easy for them.
- If pastors bring a message via Facebook live, be sure to let the congregation know how to give an offering using their computer or smartphone.
Here is a great example of this kind of communication from our brothers and sisters at Graceham Moravian Church:
“We are also blessed that we may continue to support the church with our financial gifts through e-giving, which is very easy to use and is accessible from our church website. Contributions may be made from a checking account or by credit card. Please contact our Financial Secretary, (insert name, phone number, and email address) if you have any questions. Offerings may also be mailed to the church (insert church’s address).”
By taking these four steps, our communities of faith can remain financially stable during a time of instability.
Stay well and know that your Foundation is here to help in any way we can.
