How to Support Missions Without Busting Your Budget

By Josh Roberie

Have you considered increasing your giving to local and foreign missions but are afraid of how that would impact the resources for your church? If so, you are not alone. Sustainability is crucial for churches, but so is donating to missions. Giving to missions does not have to ruin your budget for other ministries. But how does this work together?

If you teach your people to be generous with their finances, your church should follow suit. You need to model generosity to your people. In the end, this will show them what kind of church they are a part of and will encourage more giving on their part.

This blog will bust the myths of missions giving by shedding some light on three areas. It will show you how you can make this possibility a reality and extend your ministry’s reach far beyond the walls of your church while still making your church stronger. 

Myth #1: Giving to Missions Communicates to Givers Our Church Does Not Need Their Offerings

Some may say asking givers to support a separate mission’s work financially may communicate that your church has enough financial support. The result is people may feel your church does not need their giving above and beyond their tithe. Maybe you have had this thought as well. Will people give less to my church instead of just giving additional funds to missions? Financially supporting missions helps your church fulfill the Great Commission. 

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

-Matthew 28:19-20 NIV

Whenever you devote a portion of your offerings to missions, you communicate that your church is a church worth their financial investment. You cannot be faithful to the Great Commission without being committed to “all nations.” Communicating to your church that you want a portion of their giving to go to local and world missions lets them know you are leading by example. Giving away some of your budget to those in need shows your givers can trust you more than anything else.

Myth #2: Talking About Giving will Discourage Generosity Because It Puts Pressure on People

Being upfront about the needs of your church and the vision you have to help others outside of your church will not discourage givers. People avoid pressure but respond to vision and transparency with generosity. Here are a few ways that discussing your financial vision for your church can encourage giving. 

Communicate regularly about your budget. When you give people clarity, they are more likely to support you financially. This means you need to let people know how much of their donations are going to missions through regular reports and updates on Sunday morning.

Create a plan to teach on generosity. Do not wait until you realize there is a need to ask people to give. Instead, make generosity part of your church culture by teaching on the importance of financial stewardship and the Christian virtue of helping people in need. A regular series on finances will not only help your people live at peace in their personal lives but will encourage them to be better givers as well.

Myth #3: Providing an Option to Give to Missions at the Point of Donation is Enough

If you are not planning ahead for missions giving and following up with the impact of people’s donations after they give, then you are missing out on financial momentum for your church. One of the most important ways your church can increase giving to missions without busting your church budget is by asking people to plan ahead. You can accomplish this by selecting a day of giving for your church.

Give this day of giving a theme that will help communicate what you want people to see about how their donations will leave a lasting impact in the world. Once you select a name for your day of giving, you need to communicate your goals for this giving campaign weeks in advance. You can do this through announcement videos, print pieces, promotion on social media, working the point of the day of giving into your message, and through written emails and letters.

Once you have your day of giving, you need to celebrate the difference that those donations are making. Share stories of lives changed. You can do this through photos or an interview with the organization receiving the financial gifts that will play before your offering on Sunday.

Digital giving makes supporting missions and your church easier for people. The ease of use will encourage people to give more frequently because donating is more accessible and faster than other ways of making a financial gift.

Online donations also make it easy for people to see an option to support a missions ministry you believe in without decreasing their regular giving to your church. Instead of them giving additional gifts to outside organizations, including missions giving as an online option at your church keeps those who make donations financially involved in your church’s mission.

How is your online giving going for you? Would you like to find out how Deka can help you increase donor commitment at your church through our portfolio of tools? Click this link to schedule a complimentary coaching consultation today.

Josh is a ministry leader, communicator, and creative who helps train and coach church planters at the Association of Related Churches (ARC). He has written Believe Again: Finding Faith After Losing Religion and has been a contributor to many ministry publications, including Relevant Magazine. You can stay connected to Josh through his blog JoshRoberie.com and on Social Media at @JoshRoberie