Involving Young Adults in Successfully Pledging the Annual Church Budget
Alvin Pelton, Minister of Education, Mountain Brook Baptist Church, Birmingham, AL
Following a particularly long day involving unscheduled visitors, members needing just a little help and several “new challenges,” I came home to seek a little peace and quiet. Of course the phone rang soon after I arrived home and after thinking for just a moment I decided to go ahead and answer the call. To my delight it was a young adult member of the Stewardship Development Steering Committee calling to update me about the exciting news from their committee. After saying good by and waiting a moment I took a deep breath and smiled, chuckled, then laughed out loud about a matter which, for many years and in most church situations, had not at all been exciting much less fun.
Like churches in most mainline denominations conversation about giving, pledging and finances held little interest for most members. Each year a discussion took place, in which the facts were reviewed about giving by age group, implications discussed and a consensus reached that unless strong action was taken the church would be in serious financial trouble within the next several years.
Four years ago was different. Following our annual conversation about the future financial condition of the church someone suggested the use of a consultant. You know, the dreaded outside person who would swoop in and tell you how to solve all your problems, then leave town never to be seen again. Following further discussions by the Stewardship Development Steering Committee and Deacons a consultant was employed.
Leadership Team Established
The initial Stewardship Development Steering Committee was assembled to accomplish the goals established and serve as a place to train the younger adults. The initial goals were:
- Inform the congregation about the ministries and mission of the church.
- Increase overall support for the annual Ministry Budget.
- Increase the number of people giving to the annual Ministry Budget.
- Increase awareness of stewardship principles.
- Create an extensive organizational structure.
- Involve all children and youth.
- Provide stewardship education for adults, children and youth.
- Provide financial and life-style management skills for young adults.
The structure of the Committee was framed around eight teams.
- Campaign Administrators 5. Advance Commitment
- Spiritual Emphasis. 6. Special Events
- Communications. 7. Card Distribution/Collection
- Children/Youth. 8. Follow Up
If you have ever been associated with or involved in a Capital Campaign you will recognize the similarities in structure and involvement. If you have participated in a Capital Campaign you will also recognize that there is significant work involved in this kind of process.
The Results Are Worth the Effort
The title of the initial campaign was Circle of Faith. The central communication element of the Circle of Faith Campaign was a notebook, which was to be delivered to each church member’s home A pledge card was included so that it would be completed at the time the album was reviewed. Results from the Circle of Faith Campaign were very gratifying in terms of total church involvement and pledging the Ministry Budget. For the Stewardship Development Steering Committee the new process had opened the door for further evaluation, change in strategies where needed and a greater use of creative ideas in the future.
The next year another step was taken to communicate with the congregation using more current methods. The theme was 365 Days of Purpose. The methodology for member education came through a professionally made DVD given to each church member along with their pledge card and other information. The handprints of young adults are all over the entire process. Each January the Committee reviews their goals for the year, pledge results from the previous year, and makes necessary changes.
What Changed?
In light of all the changes many things have remained the same. The budgeting and approval process has changed little over the past four years. The methodology for pledging, however, has changed dramatically and will continue to evolve. In previous years the committee customarily numbered 10 to 15. This last campaign, however, incorporated the talents of over 150 excited people. Especially noteworthy is the fact that nearly all are young adults. In fact, there now has to be a concerted effort to enlist older adults to be involved. Pledging has also changed. A larger number of young adults are pledging and giving each year as well as involved in the life of the church. For 2006 the committee planning meetings continue to allow young adults to share exciting ideas and new methodologies. The key ingredient, however, is the level of excitement and commitment of our young adults as they explore ways to challenge everyone to grow in their giving. Stewardship really can be fun!