To Give or Not to Give:
That’s NOT the Question
Church Doctor Report
November 2024
PURPOSE: To connect with those who have an active relationship with Church Doctor Ministries as peers in ministry, clients, and partners in prayer and support.
The Church Doctor Report provides a quick read of strategic and influential information. This information is free to share as long as the source is respected: The Church Doctor Report, www.churchdoctor.org.
Throughout my more than 40 years of ministry in the church I have always dreaded the “stewardship drive.” At least once a year it was expected that the pastor would preach a rousing sermon (or three) on the importance of “giving to the Lord.” Those golden words from the pulpit were expected to fill the coffers of the church for the next year. And as a pastor/teacher who believes in preaching the full counsel of God’s Word, how could I argue with that demand? Certainly, good stewardship and generosity are scriptural hallmarks of God’s people.
And yet, I was always aware of the popular perception of pastors: three-piece suits, slicked back hair (never had to worry too much about that), and constantly talking about money. As my grandfather would have said, “They’re all shysters.” I always felt like I was competing with that image even as I made sure my sermons came from Scripture.
In the past, church finances were based on tithes and offerings. If a member of the church attended a church service, it was expected that they would place their tithe (preferably 10 percent) into the offering plate. If you were a guest at a church, you were expected to give an offering of some kind to show support for the ministry of the church. Some churches passed the plate, others had boxes on the wall, and still others paraded to the front of the sanctuary as an example to all of financial faithfulness. Historically, apart from the occasional endowment and “special” stewardship drive, this was how the church was funded.
However, in recent years, churches in North America have been navigating significant financial challenges that are different from what they’ve encountered before. In the 21st century, traditional sources of church income are increasingly proving insufficient to sustain the financial needs and mission of the modern church. Why the change?
First, the definition of regular church attendance has changed. In the past, a “regular attender” meant someone who attended church three or four times a month. No longer. According to the research organization Barna, modern attendance patterns show that a “regular attender” is now someone who attends church services once a month. If the church is relying on the traditional tithes and offerings gathered on Sunday morning, this attendance shift has a large effect on the church budget.
Second, in the 21st century there are many more Christian organizations employing professional fundraisers. Slick mailers with QR codes and emails with professionally done videos attached are vying for the dollars of many church people. The average church has its hands full competing with these well-done appeals.
Third, although the rise of online giving has helped to slow the decline of church income to some degree, the great upsurge of digital platforms has led to an increase of fluctuation in frequency and consistency of giving. Emotional appeals from various charities can be acted on with the click of a mouse on a link, without having to pause to think how that might affect your giving elsewhere. (I wonder when a “leave a tip” option for sermon streaming will become available.)
And then there is the modern increase in church economic pressure. For example, there is a current crisis with church insurance of all kinds. I recall pastoring a church with a small staff of three. Health insurance cost increases were through the roof each year. We had to hire a health insurance broker to help sort through the different plans, and even then we saw costs rise 10 to 15 percent each year! And these days it isn’t just health insurance. A recent Religion News Service article just outlined the crisis in property insurance. “An ongoing wave of disasters — Gulf Coast hurricanes, wildfires in California, severe thunderstorms and flooding in the Midwest — along with skyrocketing construction costs post-COVID have left the insurance industry reeling” and dropping many churches from coverage, according to the July 10, 2024, report. For example, one church, seeking insurance after being dropped (despite never having filed a claim) went through five months and 13 insurance companies before it “finally found replacement coverage for $80,000 per year, up from the $23,000 they had been paying,” the article said.
In the 20th century, the answer to financial challenges was to increase the number of people attending on Sundays. In addition, offering training and educational ministries such as Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University were important. And of course, let’s not forget those “golden words” from the pulpit: making sure the pastor teaches regularly on giving and generosity. All of those things are good ideas and should be encouraged. But they do not address the shifting realities of dwindling church income.
There is no doubt that declining attendance, irregular giving patterns, increased competition for donations, rising operational costs, and the need for financial sustainability require shifting away from reliance on offering plates. But the real issue for the church is not about income.
There is an issue behind the issue. Our increased financial pressure reveals the hidden flaw in our previous strategy. The issue is not with finances and giving, but with the biblical understanding of the church and its purpose. Let me explain.
When Jesus called us to make disciples, He wasn’t calling for a part-time commitment. Discipleship is a 24/7 mission, requiring churches that are fully engaged every day of the week—not just on Sunday mornings. The church’s mission cannot be confined to a couple of hours on Sunday, yet that’s where most of our resources are concentrated. This nearsighted focus limits our impact as we devote the majority of our time, energy, and finances to just one event, the worship service, rather than embracing the ongoing, daily work of making disciples and transforming lives throughout the week.
In the past, churches often equated making church members with making disciples. How did that come about?
Well, at that time the approach was to invite people to Sunday worship and then focus on “working on them.” Over time, the Sunday service, originally centered on worship, began incorporating other approaches designed to increase attendance. In the mid-to late 1900’s, we saw the rise of niche targeting. By focusing on specific demographic groups—such as young adults, families, or certain cultural preferences—churches began to prioritize attracting and pleasing those groups. While at first this seemed like a fine idea, this approach ran the risk of turning worship into a consumer-driven experience rather than a space for spiritual growth.
In due course, as we prioritized Sunday attendance, our finances followed. Sound and audio equipment expenses skyrocketed. Visual and computer gear became obligatory. Ultimately, the two-hour Sunday service became the apex of church activity and the recipient of as much as 80 percent of the church’s resources in some places.
Do you recall Jesus’ parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30? Three people were entrusted with talents. One was given five talents, and he put them to work and gave back five more. Another received two talents, put them to work, and gave back two more. They took what the Master had given them and put it to work, earning even more. And they were praised for being good stewards and servants.
Ah, but to one he gave one talent, and what did that man do with his talent? He buried it in the ground. And when the reckoning came, the Master was greatly displeased, and even that one talent was taken from the servant as he was thrust into the outer darkness.
Many churches have been blessed by God with an abundance of talents and assets. And yet, too many churches are sitting on their assets of hundreds of thousands of dollars’ in land and buildings, hosting meetings for a couple hours a week. If the goal of the church was to build a nice meeting place for a two-hour service once a week, well, they succeeded.
But if the goal was to build an organization that will help people disciple others into becoming active Jesus-followers, many churches have missed the mark. Discipleship is a seven-day-a-week activity. So, why would we spend up to 80 percent of our resources on a two-hour-a-week meeting?
So, what can we do?
In his recent book “The Coming Revolution in Church Economics,” Mark DeYmaz explores what could happen if the church aligned its practices with its vision.
Here are some key characteristics of such a church.
Mission-Centered Approach to Ministry
24/7 Discipleship Focus: Everything the church does—from Sunday worship to midweek outreach—would be geared toward making disciples, helping people grow in their faith, and serving others. This is the starting place. The mission of the church springs from the words of Jesus in Matthew 28:19-20, known as the Great Commission: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (CSB).
”This should be the shared vision and purpose of the congregation. Before financial resources are allocated, the question should be asked: How does this further the mission of the church, to make disciples?
Community Engagement and Services
Ongoing Ministries and Outreach: The church could run a variety of community ministries all week long such as food banks, homeless outreach, addiction recovery meetings, or job training workshops. These services at the building would be designed to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the local community. First John 3:17 (CSB) says, “If anyone has this world’s goods and sees a fellow believer in need but withholds compassion from him—how does God’s love reside in him?”
’’Partnerships With Local Organizations: The church can partner with local nonprofits, schools, healthcare providers, or social services to use its church building space for classes, clinics, or community events throughout the week. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up” (CSB).
Counseling and Support Groups: The church could offer regular counseling services, grief support groups, financial counseling, or family support ministries on weekdays. What a wonderful way of getting to know people who might never come to a Sunday worship service. “Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2 CSB).
Multifunctional Use of Facilities
Coworking Spaces or Community Hubs: The building might provide coworking spaces for small businesses, entrepreneurs, or freelancers, allowing them to use church facilities during the week. A quick visit to the local chamber of commerce might reveal a number of opportunities. Philippians 2:4 (CSB) says, “Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
Educational Services: The church may host preschools, after-school ministries, tutoring services, or adult education classes such as ESL (English as a Second Language) or financial literacy courses. “Start a youth out on his way; even when he grows old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6 CSB).
Social Kingdom Initiatives
Cafes or Thrift Shops: The church could operate a cafe, thrift store, or other small business on-site, creating jobs for the community and generating income to support ministry activities.
Rental Income: The church might lease part of its property to other organizations (e.g., day care centers, fitness classes) or even develop parts of its land into affordable housing or storage, which could both serve the community and generate funds. Again, the purpose of the church is not solely to make money, but to fund ministries that produce fruit for the Kingdom.
Deuteronomy 8:17-18 (CSB): “You may say to yourself, ‘My power and my own ability have gained this wealth for me,’ but remember that the Lord your God gives you the power to gain wealth, in order to confirm his covenant he swore to your fathers, as it is today.”
Flexible Worship and Spiritual Development Opportunities
Daily or Midweek Worship Services: In addition to Sunday services, the church might offer daily or midweek worship services, prayer meetings, or devotional times for members and the community.
Discipleship and Bible Study: There could be ongoing Bible studies, discipleship ministries, and theological courses held at different times during the week to cater to various schedules.
Spiritual Retreats and Workshops: The church could host spiritual retreats, leadership training, or personal development workshops that encourage deeper spiritual growth.
Romans 14:5 (CSB): “One person judges one day to be more important than another day. Someone else judges every day to be the same. Let each one be fully convinced in his own mind.”
When a church realigns its practices to its vision, it moves away from being focused primarily on Sunday services and instead becomes a thriving hub for both spiritual growth and community engagement every day of the week.
And once again, how would these ideas help the church’s income?
Renting out church facilities for events or conferences or to local businesses such as day cares or fitness classes brings in revenue and introduces new people to the church. Establishing missional entrepreneur enterprises such as cafés or coworking spaces also serves the community, attracts potential attendees, and earns money for ministry. Offering paid services such as counseling, tutoring, or fitness ministries increases foot traffic and engagement, providing opportunities to connect people with church activities and creating another stream of income. Midweek services, community outreach ministries, and special events can appeal to diverse groups, including those who cannot attend traditional Sunday services, and can thus increase opportunities to give. Family-oriented activities such as community picnics, safety classes, and bounce houses create deeper bonds with local families while also helping to fund church ministries. In other words, by becoming a hub for the community through partnerships with nonprofits and local organizations, the church strengthens its ties with the area, fostering long-term growth and broadening its income stream.
It’s important to remember though: Declining income is only a symptom. The true issue is in following God’s call to make disciples. Slick hair and three-piece suits are not required. Faithfulness to the mission of the church is.
As the church realigns its practices and spending with the Great Commission and operates seven days a week, it moves from simply attracting people for Sunday services to actively fulfilling its greater purpose of making disciples throughout the week. This shift broadens the church’s focus and creates more opportunities to share and demonstrate the love of Jesus to others. For when the church becomes a vital part of the community’s daily life—offering diverse ministries, services, and consistent points of connection—it will naturally draw more people to Jesus. And, after all, this is the church’s true purpose—making disciples.
Do you know someone in your church with the gifts to take on an entrepreneurial ministry such as we have been discussing?
What would these Kingdom initiatives look like in your church? In your community?
Dr. Rupert Loyd Jr. has a B.A. in History from Miami University Oxford Oh, an M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Boston Mass. and a Ph.D. in Leadership from Union University in Cincinnati. He has over 40 years of pastoral experience in both urban and suburban churches, including multi-ethnic, multi-congregational churches. Throughout his career he has maintained a presence in both the church and the academy. Dr. Loyd currently teaches graduate and undergraduate classes in the College of Business and Leadership at Lourdes University and he holds the post of Lead Pastor at Marketplace Community Church in Toledo, Ohio.