20 Lessons From Passion 2012 For Pastors On Leading Financial Leaders

As a follow up to yesterday’s post 20 Leadership Lessons All Christians Should Know From Passion 2012, I would like to go deeper into the subject of cultivating financial leaders in your local churches.

As a reminder, after being inspired by the $2,566,670 raised by the 40,000+ students in attendance as well as the 40,000+ watching online, a couple in attendance gave an additional $500,000.  Utilizing the same 20 lessons as mentioned previously, the following are the lessons all pastors can learn and utilize when engaging wealthy people in their congregations:

1. Jesus – Financial leaders must be discipled and connected to the heart of God.  When a financial leader gives a significant gift, thank them and say, “I am overwhelmed with your generosity.  I can’t express my thanks enough.  But as your pastor, I must ask you if you feel God is pleased with your gift.”  It’s all about Jesus.
2. Starts With The Leader – People give to people.  Financial leaders give to other leaders.  Louie and Shelley Giglio are great leaders.  They have demonstrated impeccable character, a commitment their God-given calling, and have the trust that comes as a result of producing amazing results over an extended period of time.  Have you?  
3. Excellence – Financial leaders do not give to average.  They only give a whole-hearted response to excellence. 
4. Redefining Worship – Pastors must always communicate that giving is worship.  They must also teach that worship is the appropriate response to the generosity of financial leaders.
5. Small Beginnings – The first time a person, even a wealthy person, gives to their local church, it is a spiritual decision.  Not a financial one. 
6. A Great Team That Has Stability - Pastors, are you staying at your current church?  Before a financial leader releases significant resources, they must know that you are going to be there and see vision fulfilled and projects completed. 
7. Quality Partnerships – Kings talk to kings.  Financial leaders talk to other financial leaders.  The ability of pastors to identify and build a financial leadership community is vital to a church’s ability to prevail.  
8. Start Early - Relationships with giving champions must be a priority and cultivated early.  Pastors, do not wait until the need presents itself to introduce yourself.  Here’s a relational hint - visit them at their jobs.  Hear their stories and know what they experience on a daily basis. 
9. The Potential Of Youth – Financial leaders do not mind doing their part.  They just want to make sure everyone else does their part as well.
10. Make The Vision Visual – We are a visual society.  Financial leaders are really no different than others in the fact you must put the need in front of them in a compelling manner. 
11. Unfiltered Information - Financial leaders require more information and ask different questions than average attenders in your church.   This leads to the next point.
12. Make Giving Personal – Because of the conversations they want to have, financial leaders cannot be effectively engaged by sermons or in a congregational setting.  They must be met with one-on-one.  Also, financial leaders do not like surprises.  They want to be brought into the process early. 
13. Make Giving Electronic – Options are important.  Financial leaders must be given a variety of giving options such as automatic draft or electronic giving.
14. Provide Frequent Measurable Updates – Financial leaders value return on investment.  To keep these individuals engaged you must communicate the impact on human life their generosity is having.  If you neglect to do this, they will leverage their resources to other causes that follow up well.
15. Adults Engage After Results – Have you ever noticed that matching gifts come at the end of the process?  Financial leaders value and respond to results. 
16. Celebrate Results – Pastors, do you constantly thank your giving champions?  There are few words as powerful as “Thank You.”   
17. Provide Something New – As mentioned yesterday, new generates momentum.  New communciates creativity and being on the cutting-edge.  Financial leaders are early adopters and like being part of new things that advance mission and vision. 
18. Orchestrate Memorable Events – Financial leaders want to leverage their resources in a manner that leaves a legacy.  Events that do not accomplish that purpose are not worth investing in for giving champions. 
19. Create Community – Anything worth doing memorable can only be accomplished in the context of community – even with wealthy individuals.
20. Others – Financial leaders do not desire popularity or position.  They desire influence.  And the more people they can influence, the better.

To get financial leaders to release gifts like $500,000, you must understand and be equipped to implement the 20 lessons listed above.

Pastors and church leaders, what additional skills and practices do you use to disciple financial leaders?

To get future posts on leadership sent directly to you, please take advantage of the many subscription options on this site.