What If It Were Safe to Talk about Money?
By guest writer Rev. Pete Reuss, CFRE.
“Unlike other congregations, we don’t talk about money here!”
On the surface, this can feel like a wise attitude to address the rampant shame around money in our culture.
According to Gallup, 32% of U.S. adults experience consistent financial stress, characterized by straining to meet obligations, needing to make trade-offs between financial and life goals, and feeling they lack control over their financial situation. Only 16% feel financially fulfilled.
Many view a lack of control over finances as a moral failing: “If they would just give up that Starbucks coffee…”
Some congregations and other organizations manipulate people’s feelings for not giving more. Obligation. Guilt. Shame.
It doesn’t have to be this way. When done well, inviting generosity leads to…joy!
To quote Dr. Elizabeth Dunn, a social scientist from the University of British Colombia, "Let's stop thinking about giving as just this moral obligation and start thinking of it as a source of pleasure."
Dr. Dunn’s research reveals that when people give to an organization AND when they see the outcome of their giving, it brings them joy. It’s not simply the act of giving that brings pleasure. Seeing the outcome matters. People of faith have long experienced the joy that giving brings to their lives. Dr. Dunn confirms what we already sense to be true.
This connects with a helpful perspective from Henri Nouwen, Dutch Catholic priest, writer and theologian. “Fundraising is proclaiming what we believe in such a way that we offer other people an opportunity to participate with us in our vision and mission.” If we’re excited about our congregation’s mission, how can we not invite people to be a part of it?
It can be helpful, I find, to think of giving as a journey of generosity. Some begin the journey with their small gifts. These are valuable gifts and worthy of celebration! Others have been on the journey for years. They have valuable perspectives, worthy of hearing! Often the journey leads us to consider giving more, but not always. For those experiencing the loss of a job, sending kids to college, living on a fixed income, or dealing with rising prices (all of us!), the faithful response may be to cut back on giving. That’s worthy of honoring as well.
Let’s dive into Generosity & Joy! On Thursday, October 8 at 12 pm CT join me for the LeaderWise Learning Hour. (Registration is free!) Participants will consider the mission of their own congregation or organization and how that mission inspires people to give with you. You will leave with practical ways to invite end-of-the-year generosity without guilt and shame.
