I know I talked about this last week, but when I got back in to town I had a church direct mail piece in my mailbox (which I get happy about). but them I looked at it and the joy dissipated. What was wrong with the mailing? Plenty, but I'll highlight 5 things: 1. It wasn't in English (even though I speak Spanish fluently, English is still my first language) 2. There were 5 dates on this postcard (it was letting me know the title of every week of the series and the date they would be taught). Instead, give … Read More
Tithe Challenge Question
Here's a question that I received recently: "Bob, I've tried the tithe challenge and people check off their box that they were taking the tithe challenge, but after 3 weeks the majority had dropped off. What's the problem?" Good News: This is a common problem. Bad News: This is a common problem. The churches that I have worked with one on one that experience this drop off usually experience it because their follow up system for those taking the tithe challenge isn't … well… good. I have long said this and will say it again, the key to the tithe challenge … Read More
Getting out of the Slump
One of the most common questions I get in coaching is about getting out of a financial slump or increasing giving in general. Call me a minimalist, but as far as I can tell you really only increase giving 2 ways: 1. The current givers give more 2. Inspire new giving I believe both are effective strategies and you should have a system in place to help current givers reach a place of generous giving and for non-givers to begin giving consistently. At Calvary, we have used the Tithe Challenge as the tool that does both. Normally the … Read More
Coaching Matters (and a potential Scholarship)
I've been getting feedback from the coaching network that just ended. I had a group of great guys that are making a difference for the Kingdom! (By the way, we're seeing an average of 20% growth from the churches involved in the network) Someone offered to partially scholarship a Pastor who wants to be in the network, but finances are a concern. If you want to be considered for the scholarship, send in your application ASAP. Some have already applied for it and we'll do our best to help as many Pastors as possible. The coaching network is for Senior … Read More
Why your Direct Mail Isn’t Working (part 3)
Another reason churches see limited results in their direct mail is because they aren't mailing enough. I have long said that if you're only going to mail once, don't mail at all. It takes more than one mailing for people to notice you. That's why you know when you're mailing enough when people start calling and complaining. It sounds funny, but think about what someone has to do to call your church and complain about your direct mail piece: they have to receive it, read it, get annoyed by it, and then find your phone number and call. There's stuff … Read More
Why your Direct Mail Isn’t Working (part 2)
One of the reasons churches get poor results in their direct mail is because they don't track their results. Here's the truth: if you aren't tracking your results, you have no idea if your direct mail is working or not. Butts in the seats is not the only way to see if your direct mail is working. While I would agree that someone attending your church is the end result we want, there are other factors involved. 1. Someone could get your direct mail and go to a confusing website and not attend 2. Someone could get your direct mail and … Read More
Why your Direct Mail Isn’t Working (part 1)
Since the release of my latest resource, "Direct Mail Secrets", I've gotten some questions about our strategy for direct mail at Calvary Fellowship. Here's a question I got last week: "Last time we did direct mail at our church we got limited results. How would you instruct us to do in the future?" First, this is a great question. Most churches get very limited results for several reasons. Here's one: churches try to mail to everyone in their area. Churches that get great direct mail results understand who they are and focus their direct mail efforts on reaching those … Read More
85%
I got the stat yesterday that 85% of those who were first time guests at Calvary in 2009 made a decision to follow Jesus! Wow. I am blown away by that stat. But I also know that part of it is due to some specific things that God led us to do over the last couple of years. What things you ask? Well that's what I'm going to talk about in my newest tele-seminar entitled, "The Magnetic Church". Instead of seeing new believers fall through the cracks, become a church that sees new believers stick like a … Read More
The Magnetic Church
On Wednesday, February 10th from 1PM-3PM I'm going to be leading a tele-seminar called, "The Magnetic Church". It's about how we follow up with new believers and the principle behind creating a culture of evangelism at Calvary. Here's the info: Instead of seeing new believers fall through the cracks, become a church that sees new believers stick like a magnet! If there’s one thing churches should excel at, it’s helping new believers go from infancy to maturity in their faith. This tele-seminar will not only give you the tools to help new believers take intentional steps in their faith, … Read More
3 Seconds
You pick up your mail and you sort through it. How long do you give each piece of mail that you bring inside? I'll tell you: about 3 seconds. If it doesn't catch your eye and say something that connects with you, it ends up in the round file. We talk about these 3 seconds a lot at Calvary when we're getting ready to do a direct mail campaign. You've got 3 seconds to say something that keeps you out of the garbage can. Then you've got to say something that compels them to an action step (i.e. attending your … Read More