When parishes implement a pledge based stewardship methodology they encounter questions and even objections from parishioners. Undoubtedly one of the most common of these objections is:
“I don’t want to fill out the pledge form because I don’t want to let the parish down if something changes.”
In helping parishioners work through this issue the following points may be helpful:
It's Not a Mortgage"
Remind people that the pledge is an estimate-- not a mortgage. If personal circumstances change the pledge can and should be updated by letting the treasurer, or priest know the new plans. No questions or need for justification.
Often, however, the issue requires us to dig a bit deeper.
Guessing is Not Planning
Those who offer this reaction seem to be expressing a belief that the parish is better off if they (the potential donors) are very conservative -- under commit and over deliver.
Yet, is this approach truly helpful to the parish? Are we really being responsible by not providing an estimate of giving? In reality the opposite is actually true. Asking parish leaders to guess about one's intentions is not responsible –and not good stewardship. It avoids the review and commitment that makes the pledging process practically and spiritually valuable.
Missed Opportunities
Unraveling this concern starts with an understanding that a good parish has a job to do. The parish has responsibilities to parishioners and to others to “make saints” and to bring the light of Christ to its city or region.
When people hold back on their pledge decision, parish leaders may be forced to adopt an overly conservative income forecast and a spending plan that eliminates or reduces items in the budget. Then, when, unplanned donations materialize at year end the parish has paid an opportunity cost. Something that could have been afforded was pared back. Important improvements to building, compensation or ministries will be delayed or the cost will be laid off onto others. New ministries –hopefully with important impact -- may not be considered. (“We can’t afford that!”)
Though the money may eventually arrive by year end, the opportunity to create an impact has been delayed or an opportunity completely missed. In a business tightened budgets often delay advertising, product launches, new hiring or plant improvements. The business pays an opportunity cost in fewer customers incomplete projects or higher production costs.
While the impact of delay on a parish is often less clear -- it is just as real. IF we see our parish as an organism with an important job to do.
Putting God Last in Line
Being unwilling to make the effort to think through the commitment of giving back the first fruits of the financial gifts bestowed on us and indicating our best estimate intentions, essentially puts God and His Church last in line. (If I have something left I'll give it to the church.")
However, if everyone used the “wait and see then donate” approach little or nothing could be planned and much less would be done. Perhaps more realistically without the soul searching involved in making an honest, serious, meaningful pledge often the money does not ever find its way to the church.
