Rookie vestry member suddenly quarterbacking your church’s pledge campaign? Maybe you’re a seasoned coach looking to add some new plays? Don’t worry, we’ve got your game plan covered. Here’s your comprehensive playbook to execute a winning Annual Pledge Campaign, even if you’re just stepping onto the field.
1. Huddle Up With Your Resources
As a member of the Diocese, you’ve got a full roster of free stewardship resources at your disposal. Whether you need to overhaul your entire game plan or just make a few tactical adjustments, these tools can help!
- If you’re just starting, visit www.tens.org and review the Annual Pledge Campaign materials/ for 2024 “Walk in Love.” TENS stands for The Episcopal Network for stewardship, and is a great resource. As a member of the Diocese, you have access to all TENS materials, including letter and pledge card templates. Download the content using the passcode “Ephesians5:2” to get past the paywall.
- Even if you don’t want to use the “Walk in Love” theme, you may get ideas from the selection offered. Take a look!
- You can also find lots of suggestions and advice on our Stewardship web pages here.
2. Prepare Campaign Letters
- If you don’t have a letter drafted yet, you can go ahead and customize the sample letters from TENS for your church. Add specifics about your congregation, and your plans for 2025, to make the letters more engaging.
- Whether you use TENS or your own, remember that is best to personalize each letter:
Use mail merge with your church database, or
Print generic letters and personalize by hand:
Cross out generic greetings with a blue pen.
Write in the person’s name by hand in blue ink and sign in blue too!
Click here for more ideas on boosting readability. - Include instructions for online pledging.
- If you’re using them, prepare supplemental letters (from the wardens, or stewardship committee) and schedule those too.
3. Prepare Pledge Cards
- Use your existing church pledge cards or adapt TENS templates.
4. Set Up/Update Online Pledge Form
- If you don’t already offer a way for members to pledge using a form online on your website, make this the year that you set it up!
- If you have a pledge page from last year’s campaign, ensure your website’s pledge form is updated for the upcoming year.
5. Set Campaign Timeline
- Choose a kick-off date (recommended: a Sunday in early October).
- Set an ingathering deadline (a Sunday in late November).
- Plan for follow-up calls in December/January.
6. Launch the Campaign
- Announce campaign kick-off that Sunday.
- Mail letters to the congregation concurrent with the kick-off. Schedule follow up letters if that is part of your plan.
- Send email versions of letters in the same week.
- Have your “thank you” plan in place as well.
7. Organize Stewardship Speakers
- Select congregation members to speak during the campaign, and schedule them throughout.
- Guide speakers to prepare their talks:
Ask them to identify three personal values.
Have them relate their pledge to how the church addresses these values.
8. Engage the Vestry
- Request vestry members to submit pledges before the campaign starts.
9. Acknowledgements
- Write personal thank-you notes to those who pledge. Handwritten notes are preferable.
- Include acknowledgement of the pledge amount.
- Click here for more on the power of a thank you!
If you have questions or could use some additional support, don’t hesitate to reach out to my office. I’m happy to help you every step of the way!
