Jess from SteepleMate here! We recently asked churches how they increase giving in their congregations, and the responses were both inspiring and practical. Let's dive in! 

1. Talk About Generosity Regularly

Many churches found that talking about giving consistently, not just during fundraising seasons, helped cultivate a culture of joyful generosity.

“Words build worlds. We talk about generosity all the time, and over time, it has shaped our church culture.”

“We present a ‘Culture Moment’ every week during the offering. We rotate highlighting different areas like Life Change, Kids & Teens, Missions, and More. We always say, ‘This is just one of the things your giving helps to make happen.’”

How to Implement This:

✔️ Make giving a regular part of your church conversation, not just a budget update.

✔️ Tie generosity to impact. Show how giving changes lives.

✔️ Use different formats: testimonies, announcements, sermon applications, and printed materials.

2. Teach on Generosity & Stewardship

Many churches saw a huge increase in giving after dedicating specific teaching to biblical generosity.

“Our senior pastor taught on stewardship, breaking down: Attitude Adjustment, aligning our views on money with God’s and The Ownership Myth, we are not owners, we are stewards."

How to Implement This:

✔️ Preach a giving series at least once a year.

✔️ Make generosity a discipleship issue, not just a financial one.

✔️ Use creative visuals and testimonies to illustrate biblical principles.

3. Celebrate First-Time Givers

For many, giving for the first time is a big step of faith. Churches that acknowledge and celebrate first-time givers saw higher engagement and continued generosity.

“We send personal letters to every first-time giver, thanking them for taking that step. It makes them feel seen and valued.”

4. Share Stories of Generosity

People want to know where their money is going, and nothing inspires giving more than stories of impact.

“Storytelling! We tell stories of life change, stories from mission partners, and stories of what’s happening in other areas of the church. The reason behind all these stories? YOUR generosity!”

“We make sure to always tie giving back to something tangible. For example: ‘Because of your giving, we were able to send a team to Guatemala last week!’”

How to Implement This:

✔️ Make storytelling a priority in your church services.

✔️ Highlight giving impact in emails, videos, and social media.

✔️ Show generosity in action - not just numbers, but real people’s lives.

5. Create a Clear Vision People Can Get Behind

Most people want to give, but they want to give to something specific and meaningful. Churches that set clear, compelling goals saw increased giving.

“Almost everyone wants to be behind a known goal. We started doing missions, set up a mission scholarship fund, and created an annual financial transparency meeting.”

How to Implement This:

✔️ Set giving goals that people can rally behind - missions, outreach, or special projects.

✔️ Host an annual “State of the Church” meeting to build trust and transparency.

✔️ Use visuals to show how giving is making an impact.

6. Make Giving Easy & Accessible

If giving is complicated or inconvenient, people are less likely to do it. Many churches found success by offering online giving and removing barriers to generosity.

“We offer online giving through Tithe.ly and promote it regularly. It took some time for people to get on board, but even our seniors love it now!”

“Make giving easy. Use SteepleMate!”

How to Implement This:

✔️ Offer multiple ways to give—online, mobile, text, in-service.

✔️ Clearly communicate giving options in your church bulletins, website, and social media.

✔️ Show your congregation on how to use digital giving platforms.

7. Prioritize Discipleship Over Dollars

The goal isn’t just to increase giving - it’s to make disciples who live generously.

“Our highest priority is making disciples, not just increasing cash flow. We teach generosity as part of following Jesus, not just funding the church.”

How to Implement This:

✔️ Make generosity a core part of discipleship.

✔️ Focus on heart transformation, not just financial transactions.

✔️ Be transparent, steward funds well, and show impact.

The Power of a Generous Church

When churches cultivate a culture of generosity, giving becomes a joy, not a duty. By teaching, celebrating, sharing stories, and making giving easy, churches can increase generosity in a way that’s both spiritual and practical.

Want an easier way to manage giving? Check out how SteepleMate can help streamline online giving for your church!