This article is one part of a complete guide for church ministry during COVID-19.

Find the rest of the guide here. 

 

Most ABSC churches receive the majority, if not all, of their tithes and offerings in the Sunday morning worship service. In addition, a large number of churches are governed through congregational business meetings. How do leaders equip the church to support and participate in the ministries during this strange and difficult season? Below are a few considerations for stewardship and administration ministries:

 

1. 1. Receiving of Tithes & Offerings – In 2 Corinthians 8 – 9, Paul is equipping the Corinthian church to be good financial stewards by giving to help the saints in Jerusalem during a time of great need. Paul reminds the church what and why to give, but he also provides a way for them to give. As leaders, we must consider how to educate, empower and engage our church members to be good financial stewards, even when the offering plate can’t be passed in the sanctuary.

 

1. 1. 1. Mail in, pick up or drop off options
         1. Churches are sending self-addressed stamped envelopes (SASE) to members who are uncomfortable with online giving platforms. 
         2. Churches are opening a designated P.O. Box for members to send tithes and offerings.
         3. Churches are offering secure drop boxes on the church property that are in well-lit areas.   
         4. Churches are posting designated office hours to receive tithes and offerings. 
         5. Church staff members can drop by a church member’s home upon request to pick up a person’s tithe or offering.

 

1. 1. 2. Online Options
         1. Online giving can often be managed through church management software programs, church website companies, or mobile device apps.
         2. It is also possible in some cases for church members to set up automatic bill pay for their tithes to go directly from their account to the church bank account.
         3. The most commonly used online giving platform is PushPay. However, Lifeway also has an online giving platform called Lifeway Generosity.
            1. To view information about PushPay click here.
            2. To view the information about Lifeway Generosity click here.
         4. Online giving is new to many church members. If you choose online options include tutorial videos on the church website and social media pages of where and how to give online.

 

1. 2. Conducting and Communicating Business – How can the church conduct business, when nothing is business as usual? Churches with constitutional guidelines requiring monthly or quarterly business meetings find themselves in a difficult spot. This is a good time to evaluate the decision-making model in your church to determine its efficiency and effectiveness.

 

1. 1. 1. Communicating organizational business and operational decisions
         1. Take appropriate measures to be transparent about financial, facility and personnel decisions.
            1. Communicate how money is being spent and why it matters.  Be as open as possible about ongoing needs. 
               1. This could be mailing or emailing financial reports with a designated way of asking questions or voicing concerns.
            2. Communicate the adjusted office hours as well as to how and when staff members can be reached.
            3. Communicate how and when the church facilities may be accessed, or if the facilities are completely closed until further notice.

 

1. 1. 2. Conducting organizational business and making operational decisions
         1. Churches may be able to gather a quorum of the membership in a Zoom meeting. Free Zoom memberships allow for up to 100 participants per meeting. Paid Zoom memberships allow for even more participants. 
         2. Churches unable to gather a quorum of members through Zoom may need to poll the membership through email or text. A way of response could be given in the initial communication asking for a return email/text voting to temporarily empower a leadership team, deacons, and staff with the FULL authority to act during this time. 
         3. Use this “down” time as an opportunity to organize and update policies and bylaws. What can be learned from this situation that will better prepare your church for the potential of not being able to gather for a prolonged time in the future? How can the policies and bylaws be updated to enhance the decision-making process in case a quorum of members cannot meet for a month or more? 

 

1. 1. 3. Paycheck Protection Program
         1. The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is a loan program that originated from the CARES Act. This is a nearly $350-billion program intended to provide American small businesses, churches, and non-profits with eight weeks of cash-flow assistance through 100 percent federally guaranteed loans. If guidelines are met, loans are potentially eligible for forgiveness. Many churches have opted to participate, and more info can be found at www.abf.org/resources