Thus writes J. Gregory Pope in the introduction to his well-written and well-documented book. He has written a book that is historical, biblical, practical, clear, and compelling, and that should be in use in every congregation. He lays out a step-by-step guide for identifying, cultivating, and asking members for estate gifts. If you want to know how to do it, and how to do it right, you must have this book.
Pope says congregational leaders should develop a planned and estate gifts program that includes information sharing, participation, and written policies. Such a program, properly established and appropriately managed, will encourage gifts of “thanksgiving, gratefulness, obedience, repentance, and worship.”
The essential elements of written policies, he says, are a statement of intent, gift acceptance policy, investment policy, spending policy, and general procedures. He shows precisely how to write them and includes samples.
Pope gives these reasons why people avoid discussing estate planning on a personal level:
1. They are afraid of dealing with the eventuality of their own death.
2. They think their estates are too small.
3. They want to avoid family discord.
4. They think they are too young.
5. They balk at the time and expense required.
On a congregational level, he gives these reasons why such discussions are avoided:
1. Conflict over the allocation of financial resources, especially unexpected windfalls.
2. Aversion to addressing material possessions in today’s church.
3. The congregation may be seen as not having a meaningful vision.
“People give out of a sense of commitment, challenge, compassion, community, or calling,” says Pope. It is a responsibility of congregational leaders to provide the opportunities for sacrificial giving.
Also in the book: An outline of a Gift of A Lifetime seminar, how to integrate memorial and honor gifts, how to start a small group study on planned giving topics, steps in counseling someone about a planned gift, brief summaries of the ways in which six congregations hold and promote endowment funds, a congregational survey instrument, a sample endowment and gift acceptance policy, and sample will and trust documents.
Pope is a Certified Fund Raising Executive, an independent consultant, and a writer and conference leader on financial stewardship and strategic planning issues in congregational life. His book is published by Broadman & Holman and retails for $14.95. His Web address is http://www.congregation.net
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