In the dark ages, we call it Prove the Tithe Day. It was an effort to raise money for the church’s operating budget on a single Sunday.
This same idea is back in popularity as church contributions run behind budget needs in these challenging financial times. As the story goes, the pastor or church finance committee announces a special day “to catch-up on the budget” and church members are encouraged to bring a special offering to “close the gap,” between receipts and needs-to-date.
This is a really bad idea for several reasons.
First, it doesn’t work; it doesn’t significantly increase total receipts to the congregation, it only “moves money forward.” The finance committee announces October 15th as “Catch-Up Sunday.” And sure enough, a large offering comes in that day, 162% of a ‘normal’ Sunday’s offering. Victory is declared and everyone feels good – and proceeds to spend the remaining money in the church budget before the end of December. However, however --- receipts from the big October Sunday is off-set by weaker than normal receipts in November and December. On October 15th people simply gave money they were going to give anyway in November and December --- they just “moved money forward.”
“Catch-Up Sundays” rarely increase total gifts to the congregation, they simply “move money forward.”
Second, “Catch-Up Sundays” divert attention from where it really belongs: stewardship education in-season-and-out. Relying on “special stewardship days” will drive the church in a financial ditch. Ongoing regular stewardship education is the solution in an instant-gratification consumer culture.
Churches can respond to the culture by providing an increased number of designation options for members, as well as allowing members to pick giving plans offered by the congregation. Even so, there is no substitute for stewardship education in preaching, teaching, and living.
Personal testimony: My son and his wife are pregnant and have just joined a church. So, over dinner the other night my daughter-in-law asked, “So, Ron, how much do people actually give to their church?” She simply wanted to know the norm. She is not going to give away the farm, but she wants to do her part. And, (my point) she grew up in church and didn’t know what she should give.
Stewardship education in preaching, teaching and living is part of the answer to our financial challenges. The other part of the answer is living within our means.
Grace and Peace,