Would you like to know how to raise your giving 63%? Phillips Temple of Dayton, Ohio has seen giving increase from 2004 through last year by 63%! While that number alone is impressive what is even more impressive is understanding the economic climate of Dayton during this time. Since 2004 the following businesses closed their doors in the Dayton area…
- General Motors – Closed!
- National Cash Register – Moved to Atlanta
- UPS – Gone
- Delphi Automotive – Closed!
- Chrysler – Closed!
What resulted is that for many years from ’04 to ’12 unemployment was above 10%. Phillips Temple is predominantly African American and their community saw an average unemployment statewide of above 17%! In the township of Trotwood where Phillips is located this high unemployment caused the closing of a major mall. K-Mart closed up and left. Sears closed up and left. This dismal climate caused Pastor Jimmy Washington to say, “The population of the Dayton area declined. People are poorer not richer. They are older not younger. They are less educated not more educated, thus they earn less.”
In spite of all this Phillips Temple’s giving increased by 63%! Not only this but throughout this time frame the church has been in one capital campaign after another raising millions of dollars. How is this possible? There are many reasons for this. First and foremost Pastor Washington would tell you that it is the favor and blessing of God. A lot of prayer goes into seeing a 63% increase. On top of this the church is healthy and has a Senior Pastor that understands the importance of stewardship and his role in that.
One crucial plan is that Phillips Temple has a plan and they work their plan! Pastor Washington did not simply set by and watch the economy ravish his church. He was proactive. I have been Pastor Washington’s stewardship coach for over thirteen years. He once told a crowd of preachers when introducing me, “Every great athlete has a coach. Peyton Manning has a coach. Tiger Woods has a coach. I have a stewardship coach and his name is Mark Brooks!”
Every fall we work out a preliminary plan of action towards seeing giving increase. We don’t hope giving increases. We work a plan that will assure that giving increases. We start every year out right with a solid plan of action that gives the church the best chance of making budget.
2013 for Phillips will be another banner year of giving and increase! This December when many churches are begging for money to try and make budget Phillips has decided to give away their end of year offering to mission work! How cool is that? How would you like to be financially secure that your church could do something like that? You could.
If you can raise money in Dayton Ohio you can raise money anywhere! Here is what you must do. First, stop making excuses. Then start planning. My mantra is, get a plan and work your plan!
Before you start making another excuse, that you could not afford a stewardship coach, let me tell you we make it easy and affordable for you to get the help you need! Here is the key; you MUST start 2014 off right to end well!
My goal for you is that you will see an increase in giving in 2014! I can help you and together we can make that a reality. Let’s get started!
Mark Brooks
Founder and President
The Charis Group and Charis Giving Solutions