PCC News

Like everything in life, the more effort you put in the more you get out. Some of our parishes are seeing good returns and are receiving regular income from the diocesan donate button.

It is important to emphasise that this does not replace the methods you already have of giving to support the church, but is here to run alongside these existing methods. I think that everyone will agree that we are now moving increasingly towards a cashless society. As a parish you need to be prepared for this.

The important thing now is to have a strategy to ensure that you promote it. What is the point of having this information if you then don’t use it to your church’s advantage?

A strategy going forward would be:

1. Put it on your next PCC agenda – promotion of online giving.
2. At the PCC meeting set up a list of action points for both the online and physical resources.

Certain members on your PCC will have different areas of strength. Those with IT skills can be responsible for its promotion:

1. Make sure the link is on your Facebook/social media and website.
2. Not only ensure that the giving link is included with the zoom link that you are sending out to viewers, but also include a message to say that the viewer might like to support the work of your church by making a donation. Ideally, when the collection is being taken or the offertory is being presented during the service the person leading the service can speak directly to camera to those at home and say that they can also be part of the service and make their donation online using the link.
3. When printing a pew sheet include the QR code and beside the QR code print the message ‘some people may like to make a donation to support the work of the church by using the online facility’ (especially good for those who don’t carry cash as we move towards a cashless society).
4. When writing an article for a parish magazine include the QR code and suggest that the church is part of the local community and is there for the community, and you, the reader, might like to support this work by making a donation using the code.
5. When sending out your church’s Christmas card, with the Christmas services information printed inside the card, include the QR code and ask for support for the work of the church.

Other people can be responsible for displaying the physical resources.

Ensure that the poster:

1. Is displayed on the noticeboard in the church.
2. Is displayed on the noticeboard in the porch.
3. Is displayed on community noticeboards throughout your village or town.
4. Is displayed in libraries, doctors’ and dentists’ surgeries.

Our churches are self-funding charities and need to compete with all of the other charities asking for financial support. It is vital that we resource our churches sufficiently to develop and grow what we have.