Never Have I Ever: Shaken Down Partners for Giving

 

Welcome to the inaugural post in my new blog series, “Never Have I Ever,” where I look back over my 21 remarkable years as pastor of Radiant Fellowship in Waupaca, Wisconsin. I am thinking there will be about 5 entries in this series. There’s been laughter, growth, some surprises—and plenty of lessons learned along the way. To kick things off, I’m diving into something churches talk about often. 

Specifically: Never have I ever shaken down our individual partners for their giving.

First, a quick note on terminology here. We don’t use the word “member” at Radiant Fellowship which is the church I pastor that is made of amazing people. For us the term "member" sounds a little too elitist for us. We’re all partners in ministry, journeying together in faith and service.

Now, about that “shakedown” thing. Early in my ministry before becoming a lead pastor I experienced in a church where the issue of giving was quite confrontational. If your check didn’t hit some arbitrary mark (or there was a lull in giving), you got “the talk.” Frankly? I found it intrusive, uncomfortable, and well beyond what I believe is appropriate. Giving is an intensely personal matter between each partner and God. Period.

Sure, Scripture encourages generosity. Take 2 Corinthians 9:7, for example:  

"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."  

That’s how I see it—heartfelt, voluntary, joy-filled giving—not coerced or cornered.

Yes, we have needs. Budgets to meet. Lights to keep on. Programs to fund. And yes, some weeks the giving falls short, other weeks it’s right on the mark. But through it all, God has been faithful—and so have the amazing partners of Radiant Fellowship. 

Don’t even get me started on those churches that hand you a box of envelopes with your name on it like it’s a covert operation. “Here, use this. We know exactly what you gave last month...” No thank you. If there’s a particular need, I might send out a church-wide email explaining it. But that’s as far as it goes. The rest is between you and God.

I have my own convictions about stewardship—and I do teach on the importance of generosity from time to time. But never have I ever sat down one-on-one with a partner to ask why they aren’t meeting some invisible quota. It’s not what I would want if I were in their shoes. And it’s not the kind of church community I want to be part of. Yes, giving helps keep this place functioning—and it absolutely matters—but it will come in time, because when it’s given freely and from the heart, it’s a blessing.

Now, there are some out there who “lick their chops” when tithes go up, dreaming about raises—well, maybe that’s a different story! For those pastoring larger churches, that might be a temptation I can’t entirely speak to. But for Radiant Fellowship—where on a really good Sunday we might have 60 people—I’ve only taken three raises in the last 21 years. We have one debt left: our mortgage, currently sitting at $7,053.00. And you better believe I’ve got my eye on paying that off. Beyond that, I’m dreaming of the day we can add a staff member to this incredible ministry team. If that mortgage gets paid off sooner than later, PRASIE THE LORD! If not, then we hold the course until it is paid off.

So, that’s my “Never Have I Ever” for you—the pastoral version of a truth or dare. Stay tuned for more stories, reflections, and maybe even some surprises as I walk down the road of 21 years pastoring the awesome church that is Radiant Fellowship.