Giving is a year-round activity. However, there’s one day every year that churches can particularly use to focus on their charitable messaging: #GivingTuesday.
Giving is a core element of the Christian faith. We need to look no further than Jesus, Himself, to see this concept demonstrated to the fullest.
From offering His time and resources to sacrificing His life, Jesus set a gold standard of generosity that we, as Christians, are supposed to emulate. Each and every day we’re expected to be ready to give at any moment — and generously, too.
Harness the #GivingTuesday movement to inspire charitable giving at your church this year. As our inspo, Jesus set a gold standard of generosity that we, as Christians, are supposed to emulate. Click To TweetWhat is #GivingTuesday?
Before we dive into how #GivingTuesday impacts churches, in particular, let’s quickly define the hashtag. Why? Because it’s important for Kingdom ministries to thoroughly understand the groups, movements, and concepts that we affiliate ourselves with.
So, let’s break this down, shall we?
The Skinny on #GivingTuesday
#GivingTuesday may sound like a crowdsourced, decentralized movement for fundraising — and at this point, it is. Believe it or not, though, it didn’t start that way.
In fact, the movement began as a very centralized venture. It started all the way back in 2012 and was incubated and kickstarted by the Belfer Center for Innovation & Social Impact. The first year it took place at the organization’s epicenter on 92nd Street Y in the Big Apple itself.
The initial goal of the project was simple: to unleash the power of radical generosity. It’s a focal point that hasn’t shifted over time, either. It started with passionate individuals local to New York City, but it didn’t take long before it ballooned out to include individuals around the globe.
Some of these worked independently. Others joined together in collaborative groups. Everyone, though, willingly tapped into that radical generosity concept.
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Radical Generosity
In fact, that term is so important, it's worth breaking down all on its own. The official #GivingTuesday website defines “Radical Generosity” as “the concept that the suffering of others should be as intolerable to us as our own suffering.”
Now, it’s important to point out that the “intolerable” element shouldn’t be crippling or guilt-inducing. Instead, it should inspire us to rise up and fight for those in greater need than ourselves at the moment.
When is #GivingTuesday?
#GivingTuesday has become a year-round affair at this point. Nevertheless, there is a date that is officially marked as the Tuesday to bring attention to the act of giving.
In 2021, that day will be Tuesday, November 30th. That’s right, we’re being asked to focus our attention on giving five short days after a holiday focused on thankfulness. It also comes four days after the most consumer-crazed 24-hour period of the year.
Well-timed? We think so.
If you want to keep track of the upcoming event each year, there’s a countdown timer right on the home page of the #GivingTuesday website.
The Church and #GivingTuesday
Alright, now that we’ve covered the background and purpose, let’s dig into the real reason we’re all here. Why should the Church take #GivingTuesday seriously?
And, just for the record, this isn’t a softball question with an easy answer. In fact, before we get into the details below, let’s clarify something. The Church should always be giving …without hesitation or holding back.
When saying farewell to the Church in Ephesus, Paul says (in Acts 20:35 NIV) :
”In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
The question that we want to dig into here is why churches should take this particular Tuesday into account. After all, it isn’t a faith-focused organization. Nevertheless, there are a few major benefits that churches can tap into by shining a light on this benevolent day each year.
3 Good #GivingTuesday Ideas Your Church Should Be Using
1. #GivingTuesday Sets the Stage
One of the simplest reasons for a church to use #GivingTuesday is the fact that it sets the stage for one of the most charitable periods of the year. The holiday season is a time when giving is constantly on the mind.
In other words, charitable donations, both of time and resources, are going to increase in December no matter what you do as a ministry. However, if you want to build some momentum, you can use #GivingTuesday as a great way to kick the “givingest time of the year” off with a bang.
Use #GivingTuesday to shake up some attitudes. Call attention to the day as a way to challenge people’s hearts. Use the larger communal aspect of the event to tap into a charitable mindset with the potential to jumpstart your congregation’s generous spirit this holiday season.
Use #GivingTuesday to build momentum, shake up some attitudes, and focus on giving. Kick off the GIVINGEST TIME OF THE YEAR with a bang. Click To Tweet2. #GivingTuesday Creates Charitable Focus
#GivingTuesday impacts a lot of different areas. People all around the globe use the event to raise funds and support those who are in need.
While the giving is scattered, though, it’s often very focused for certain groups. What that means for a church is that you can use #GivingTuesday as a way to reign in your people’s giving focus.
Use the #GivingTuedsay date as a rallying cry. Choose a specific external, community-focused project or campaign and direct everyone’s attention toward that.
Find a local food shelter, fundraising event, or some other ministry that you can support. Then use the day as a starting point to get everyone giving.
Use the #GivingTuedsay date as a rallying cry. Choose a specific external, community-focused project or campaign and direct everyone’s attention toward that. Click To Tweet3. #GivingTuesday Generates Testimonies
It’s great to use #GivingTuesday as a chance to encourage others’ generosity. It’s also nice to focus everyone’s charitable attention on an area of need. But the benefits don’t have to stop with others. You can also take into account how #GivingTuesday can impact your own congregation.
As you find an event or organization to support, consider asking your church members who get involved in the giving to share their testimonies. If someone gives their time at a soup kitchen or a food pantry, have them talk a bit about the experience. If you financially support an organization as a group, see if you can get someone from that ministry to share a word of encouragement for your church.
Giving is a powerful tool, and not just because it demonstrates the Gospel by helping those in need. It also generates a wonderful sense of camaraderie, togetherness, and hope as you talk about your collective experiences after the fact.
Build #GivingTuesday momentum at your church with testimonies. Ask in
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Tapping Into the Power of #GivingTuesday
As you tend to your own church’s finances and ministry opportunities this holiday season, remember to keep #GivingTuesday in mind. There are many ways that you can use an event like this to impact your church.
Set the stage for the end-of-year giving spree to follow. Focus your congregation’s charitable activity in a particularly helpful direction. And don’t forget to use the opportunity to generate testimonies that can inspire your brothers and sisters in Christ to continue their giving right into the new year.
Have a great holiday season, everyone. God bless!