We all know how important recurring giving is. It's the money that your church can count on for budgeting. When you notice a gradual uptick in both the number of recurring givers and the average recurring donation size, it allows you to do what God has called you to do sooner. 

We asked some local pastors what they have done to grow their recurring giving over the years and here are some of the best things tips they’ve shared with us.

1. Teach people to start somewhere - The hardest part of change is starting. It is no different with your givers who want to tithe. The giver’s journey usually starts small and then grows from there.  Ask donors to setup recurring giving at 1% or their income.  After a few months challenge them to go up and so on. If becoming like Jesus is a process, so is the journey towards being a generous giver.
   

1. Communicate the importance of consistency - Share with your church the biblical reasons for financial generosity. Take it one step further and consider sharing the practical reasons why setting up a recurring gift is best for the church—it helps you budget as you look ahead and plan to reach more people for Christ. Maybe they already give but get them to set up a recurring donation and they will be even more generous. People simply don't set up recurring giving because they don't realize it's important to you. Once people know what’s important for the church, it’s easy for them to act. 
   

1. Don't Skirt the Issue, Teach the Bible - When it comes to fundraising, don't be timid in asking. Be bold, be direct and don't apologize. We teach biblical generosity in our churches. Remind your believers that our generosity is simply our natural response to an understanding of the generosity of our good God. When people remind themselves of the overwhelming generosity of our God, their natural response will be to give back to the One who gave us more than we deserve.
   

1. Continue sharing success stories - When you talk about giving in your services, show a video while the offering buckets are being passed or however you do giving at your church.  Share testimonies of faithful givers who have been blessed. Also share videos showing where your givers' money is going—helping feed and shelter the homeless in your community, building clean wells in foreign countries, or rescuing women and children from human trafficking.  Take it a step further and show testimonials of those who have been blessed by your church’s giving efforts. When people clearly see where their generosity goes to and who are blessed by it, they are more likely to not only give but give in abundance! 
   

Remember, the key to growing your recurring giving is not a set formula. If it was, every other church would have higher numbers. Keep in mind these are practical and helpful tips to guide you and your team as you continue to do what God has called you to do.