Ask and Your Church Shall Receive
When you work in a church, there is no getting around that part of your job requires asking for certain things.
Even though the Bible says, “ask and you shall receive,” asking can be a difficult thing to do, whether you are asking for volunteers, advice, or church giving. But if you don’t ask, you may not receive.
What are some things that you, as a pastor or other church staff member, need to ask for in order to run a successful ministry?
Asking for Help
Church operations aren’t a one-person job, no matter how skilled you are in your work. Because you can’t do it all by yourself, eventually you will have to work up the nerve to ask. Whether you are requesting volunteers to teach Sunday School, organizing a potluck lunch, or seeking vocalists for your worship team, asking for help is a necessary part of your job.
Maybe you’ve never had the best luck finding good volunteers and tasks didn’t get completed to your satisfaction. Or maybe people didn’t show up when they said they would. Or perhaps you have trouble asking because you don’t want to burden other people.
Whatever the case may be, asking is crucial in making sure things run smoothly in your church. If you don’t ask people to chip in, they likely won’t know you need the help. But when you do ask, you may be surprised by how many individuals are willing to lend their talents to your mission.
Asking for Advice
Besides having a difficult time asking for help, you might also struggle with asking others for advice. Maybe it’s because you feel that you should have all the answers, or that all you should need to do is ask God.
But sometimes the advice of other people can be very beneficial, not only to you but to the church as a whole.
Your church is a body, and being a leader doesn’t mean you should refrain from asking your members or staff for advice. All people have different backgrounds and knowledge that, when brought together, can create something better than one person could do alone.
While it might be difficult at first, you’ll soon find out that when you ask, not only will you receive, but your church will too.
Asking for Money
According to the Bible, “you do not have because you do not ask” (James 4:2). The basic message behind this is that you have to ask first to receive what you need. Whether you are direct with your request or more discreet, you need to realize that there really is no shame in asking. This includes asking for money.
Your ministry won’t grow without healthy church giving. If you do not talk about money, or ask for it, some people in your church might not even consider giving.
Here are some things you can keep in mind to help you become a little more comfortable when talking about church giving:
- Be transparent about what the church needs and how the money is being spent.
- You don’t have to ask constantly or put on too much pressure. Simple reminders can go a long way.
- Be sure to communicate the mission of the church on a regular basis and how church giving can help to further that mission.
Make Church Giving an Easier Request
To make the request even less difficult, give your members a fun and effortless method for church giving. With a mobile giving app, for example, you can allow your congregation to give using their smartphones with just a few taps on their screen.
When the process of giving is easy and beautiful, people will be happy to participate — and you won’t need to feel apprehensive about asking.
Remember: By asking, whether for help, advice, or funds, your church shall receive. If you don’t ask, however, your ministry will miss out.
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