Strategies for pastors to underwrite 100% of their church's apportionments

In 2006 the research company English & Associates interviews 101 pastors across the United Methodist Church who had a history of consistently raising 100 percent of their apportionments.  Their research showed that the single most important reason people support apportionments is because they know their gifts are being used to make a difference in the lives of people in their communities and around the world.  The people in our congregations want to hear how the United Methodist Church is making a difference in the lives of people locally and around the world.  They want to hear how their financial support can make a difference in the number of lives touched by their generosity.

Fifty strategies were identified for raising apportionments based on the input of the 101 pastors interviewed by English & Associates.  Here are the “Top Ten” recommendations:

(1)Impress upon your members how their giving is making a difference in the lives of people here at home and around the world.
(2)Use storytelling to make your point.
(3)Touch the hearts of your donors with photos, DVDs and video presentations.
(4)Make a point to honor your living legends and major donors at special occasions throughout the year.
(5)Help your congregation to understand that they are not an isolated church, but are connected to United Methodist churches around the world.
(6) Dramatize the need for gifts of all sizes to support apportionments.
(7) Use Sunday bulletins to tell stories that will help motivate your congregation to give to apportionments.
(8) Create a website that pastors and laity can access to learn the innovative strategies used by the 101 pastors interviewed.  (We will be posting all 50 strategies on the gnjumc.org/stewardship website)
(9) Touch the lives of donors by involving children in the appeal.
(10) Demonstrate your personal commitment as a pastor.