Develop a Discipleship System
SPARK: 'I Don’t Pledge'
By Ken Sloane
When you're involved in church leadership—whether you're a pastor, part of the finance committee, or on any team working to advance ministry—these are not words you love to hear. Not having some sense of expected income is like starting a road trip with a broken gas gauge – you’re not quite sure how far you can go.
But maybe there's a silver lining here. Perhaps those who resist pledging take the word "pledge" so seriously that they think of it as a commitment that should never waver, much like a pledge of allegiance. That kind of deep commitment is a beautiful thing to find in a church family member!
Early in my pastoral ministry, I shifted from asking for pledges to requesting "estimates of giving." I realized that many saw pledges as rigid commitments in a constantly changing world. And while we all make financial pledges from time to time—a mortgage for a home, a car loan, or a cell phone contract—we might fear that a pledge to the church is different, something set in stone.
And while we all make financial pledges from time to time ... we might fear that a pledge to the church is different, something set in stone.
So, you might wonder: "Isn't an 'estimate of giving' just another name for a pledge?" In some ways, yes, but there's a key difference. An "estimate" acknowledges that life has its ups and downs. If circumstances change, you might adjust the amount, giving a little less – or perhaps more if things improve.
Regardless of whether the card says "Pledge" or "Estimate of Giving," it’s vital for the church’s mission to have a sense of the resources available for ministry. Without that knowledge, planning becomes uncertain, and the ability to serve and make an impact can be compromised.
So, if you find yourself holding one of these cards during your church's annual campaign, ask yourself: "Do I want my church to move forward in its mission with confidence, knowing it has the financial fuel needed for the work of connection, compassion, mercy, justice, and reconciliation? Or do I want a church that creeps along, uncertain when the tank may run dry and its ministry stall?”
Ken Sloane is the Director of Stewardship & Generosity for Discipleship Ministries of The United Methodist Church.
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