When it comes to growing a healthy, mission-driven church, generosity plays a vital role. But, the most fruitful giving doesn’t happen by accident—it’s cultivated over time. That’s why recurring giving isn’t just a financial tool; it’s a spiritual practice that helps both individuals and churches grow in faith, trust, and impact.
At Horizons Stewardship, we’ve witnessed the transformative impact of recurring giving—helping churches move from financial uncertainty to confident planning and sustained ministry impact. If you’re looking to cultivate a culture of consistent generosity rooted in discipleship, this practical guide is a great place to start.
Generosity begins with healthy hearts. Before asking your church to commit to recurring giving, help them understand the why. Preach about generosity as an act of faith and discipleship, grounded in Scripture. As Joel Mikell often says, “Generosity isn’t about the church’s need to receive; it’s about the giver’s need to grow.” Giving is not primarily a financial transaction; it’s a spiritual discipline, a reflection of our trust in God, and a tangible response to God's loving and powerful grace.
Preach regularly about generosity as a means of aligning our hearts with God’s mission. Help people view giving as an act of worship and discipleship, rather than just a line item in the budget. Ground your teaching in Scripture:
2 Corinthians 9:7 reminds us that God loves a cheerful giver—not out of obligation, but from a place of joy.
Malachi 3:10 invites us to test God’s faithfulness when we give first and give consistently.
Luke 6:38 points to the abundance that comes when we live open-handed lives.
The Bible illustrates that generosity is not an act of obligation; it is an opportunity to grow closer to God and join in God's powerful work in the world.
Share real-life stories from members who have experienced transformation—financial, emotional, or spiritual—through consistent giving. These stories foster vision, build trust, and reinforce the idea that recurring giving is not just good stewardship; it's soul-shaping.
Once hearts are ready to give, don’t let confusion or complexity get in the way. People want to be generous—but if the process feels clunky, uncertain, or inaccessible, even the most willing givers may hesitate.
Start by ensuring your church has a secure and user-friendly online giving platform that supports recurring gifts. Next, focus on making the process so clear and straightforward that no one has to ask, “How do I do this?”
Here are some practical ways to make it clear and easy for your congregation:
Post step-by-step guides on your website and link to them from your weekly emails or social media.
Create short video tutorials (1–2 minutes) demonstrating how to set up recurring giving from a phone or computer.
Use Sunday service slides to guide attendees through the process in real time.
Include a simple giving card or QR code in your bulletin, pews, and on screens for both in-person and online worship that leads directly to the giving page.
Offer in-person support at a “Giving Help Desk” on Sundays, staffed by a friendly volunteer who can walk someone through it on their phone or tablet.
Your goal is to eliminate any barrier that may make generosity seem confusing or intimidating. Ensure it is effortless to take that first step.
Nothing inspires generosity more than leaders who model it. Ask your staff, board, and ministry leaders to practice recurring giving not only as a financial choice but as a spiritual commitment. When leaders give consistently and openly discuss their reasons for giving, it normalizes generosity and motivates others to follow their example. When 100% of your key church leadership participates in recurring giving, regularly emphasize it during worship.
Incorporate giving into leadership onboarding and ongoing development. Make it a part of the conversation in team meetings, retreats, and discipleship training. Equip leaders to not only give but also to speak confidently and authentically about how giving shapes their faith.
People pay attention to what their leaders do. When generosity is visible, consistent, and championed by those in trusted roles, it becomes contagious.
Nurturing a culture of generosity doesn’t happen by accident—it requires intentional leadership and ongoing encouragement. Once your systems are in place and your leaders are modeling the way, it’s time to engage the entire church in the journey.
Start by casting a clear, compelling vision. What could your church accomplish if more people gave regularly? How would it impact your ministry, your community, and your ability to respond to God’s call?
Here are some practical ways to make that vision come alive:
Focus on the impact of giving or the importance of the spiritual practice of giving each week in your offering talk. When discussing money, connect it to the impact it will have when given through your church. When addressing generosity, use the moment to reframe it as a spiritual practice rather than a financial obligation.
Share short videos or testimonies in worship, on social media, and in weekly emails. Focus on personal stories from church members who have seen how recurring giving has shaped their trust in God, simplified their lives, or deepened their connection to the church’s mission.
Use multiple platforms to reach different age groups: Instagram reels, Facebook videos, Sunday morning slides, your website, and printed bulletins. Keep stories authentic and brief (60–90 seconds). A story of a single impacted life is almost always more impactful than pictures of groups of people. You can show the group picture, but point out one person and tell their story.
Celebrate progress along the way. Create updates that show how many people have committed to recurring giving and what their generosity is making possible—whether that’s launching a new ministry, supporting local outreach, or sustaining global missions.
Most importantly, connect everything back to the heart. As a pastor or ministry leader, don’t shy away from talking about how generosity forms us spiritually. Frame recurring giving as a response to God’s love, a step of obedience, and a way to participate more fully in what God is doing through the church.
When people understand the purpose behind their giving and see how it’s making a difference, they don’t just give more—they give with joy, consistency, and purpose.
As recurring giving begins to take root and grow, don’t miss the opportunity to celebrate what God is doing through your church. Celebration isn’t just good communication—it’s deeply biblical. Scripture is filled with moments when God’s people pause to give thanks and declare His faithfulness.
In 1 Chronicles 16:8, David invites the people: “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.”
Generosity is worth celebrating because it’s a sign of spiritual growth and a visible expression of God’s provision. When your church sees how their giving fuels life-changing ministry—locally and globally—it builds trust, strengthens engagement, and encourages continued faithfulness.
Here are a few ways to intentionally share the impact of recurring giving:
Highlight stories in worship—brief testimonies from ministries or individuals impacted by your church’s generosity.
Create an annual giving impact report with photos, quotes, and simple numbers that show how recurring gifts support missions, outreach, discipleship, and facility needs.
Designate “Celebration Sundays” where you take a few additional moments in the service to go deeper than your weekly offering talk, sharing stories, and thanking God for the tangible fruit of faithful giving in both your mission field and in the lives of the givers.
Use digital tools—weekly email updates, video recaps, and social media—to regularly remind your congregation how their giving matters.
Give God the credit. Always connect the impact back to the Source, God's powerful love and mission.
The more your congregation sees their generosity as part of a larger story of God’s work, the more joyful, consistent, and engaged their giving will become.
1. Stability for Ministry Planning
When giving is predictable, church leaders can confidently make plans without worrying about sudden fluctuations in income. Whether it’s launching a new outreach initiative, hiring staff, or repairing the roof, knowing the resources are available reduces stress and allows for responsible, forward-thinking budgeting.
2. Creates a Culture of Ongoing Generosity
Recurring giving turns generosity into a regular habit, rather than a one-time decision. It helps people live out their faith through consistent financial support, making them feel more personally invested in the church’s mission. Each month, their giving becomes a tangible expression of their commitment.
3. Increased Financial Trust & Transparency
A steady stream of giving allows churches to report regularly and clearly on how funds are being used. This builds trust—when members see the impact of their recurring gifts, they feel confident that their money is being managed well and making a difference.
When churches aren’t constantly worried about covering next month’s expenses, they can dream bigger. Consistent giving allows leaders to focus on the future—developing ministries, investing in people, and expanding the church’s reach—without being distracted by financial uncertainty.
Recurring giving is more than a financial tool—it’s a pathway to deeper discipleship and more substantial ministry impact. At its core, it is a spiritual discipline that connects generosity to the heart of discipleship. It strengthens the bond between givers and the church’s mission, nurtures spiritual growth, and creates stability that fuels long-term vision and outreach.
If you're ready to move past financial uncertainty and into a future marked by trust, purpose, and generosity, call Horizons Stewardship today or fill out the Contact Us form to schedule a time to talk with one of our experienced Ministry Strategists. We’ll help you build a culture of generosity that unites your congregation, supports your vision, and transforms your community.