In choosing methods and tools to use in running your church or para-church ministry, there are three key distinctions you need to keep in mind. George Eusterman and the other ministry-minded giving consultants at E Giving Systems will help you keep a biblical focus in view as they aid you in navigating the benefits and various options available through recurrent and online giving tools. While similar systems may be used in the business world, the goals are very different.
Stewards, Not Owners
The biblical principle of stewardship is fairly simple, yet it can be challenging to apply. Not only are individual believers responsible to be good stewards of all that God entrusts to them, but churches and other Christian ministries are responsible to God for what they’re given, as well. The time, volunteers, paid staff, finances, and facilities are not any one person’s to squander or utilize, at will. They are God’s, and they need to be governed in a way that brings Him the glory He deserves.
Unfortunately, secular businesses run for profit are often managed more efficiently than Christian ministries. Such a disparity should not be the case. Instead of aiming to make more money, Christian organizations have a higher aim: to further the kingdom of Christ. With such a lofty goal in view, the resources at hand need to be carefully and expertly administered in order to most effectively achieve ministry goals. Organization, security, and technology are all aspects of wisely handling donors’ money, and options must be chosen carefully.
Changed Lives, Not Financial Gain
While the concept of increasing giving might seem selfish, in a way, when you consider that the goal of ministries is not to amass riches but to attain resources with which to further the Kingdom, such a misconception vanishes completely. E Giving Systems offers honest, time-tested methods of providing options to givers in a way that suits their modern lifestyles and helps them do what they want to (but sometimes forget to) do. These tools have helped missionaries stay on the field and pregnancy centers keep their doors open to welcome troubled women and save their babies’ lives.
The more regular and faithful your givers become, the more equipped you are to create budgets, plan expenditures, and oversee your ministry, in general, with more certainty. With Egiving’s recurring payment options, many ministries have seen a 95% retention of givers over 5-year periods. Weather, politics, holidays, and even economic downturns fail to decrease giving through EFTs.
While EFTs can be helpful for regular giving, online giving options can help fund special projects. The more accessible donation options are, the more inclined potential givers are to get involved with their support.
Because your ministry is different than a business, you need a ministry-focused partner to help you manage the finances and potential giving that’s available. Taking the step to utilize Egiving will help you glorify God through proper stewardship and see more lives changed for the sake of Christ.
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