Thinking differently about stewardship and fundraising

For many church treasurers and trustees, securing funding for church projects can be one of the most challenging aspects of ministry. Whether it’s acquiring a new building, renovating an existing space, or expanding ministry outreach, raising finances can often feel like a burden, and let’s face it, us Brits hate asking for money. Even when it’s for a good cause like gospel ministry.

So how can churches think more creatively about their funding needs? The good news is that there is another way, but it requires a mindset shift.

Relationships not fundraising

I remember, many years ago, I met a chap called Jerry Twombly. Jerry was a dear Christian brother and an experienced fundraiser. He challenged me to move away from thinking about ‘fundraising’ and to think instead about developing relationships. He shared three important lessons:

• You wouldn’t ask a person to marry you on the first date, so it’s not appropriate to ask someone for money at the first meeting.
• We need to cultivate meaningful relationships over time with people who have the potential to become gospel partners.
• Donors might give you a gift, but gospel partners will be willing and eager to walk with you for a lifetime of ministry.

Lead with vision

Your ‘mission’ is what you do. It appeals to the intellect, providing necessary information. But ‘vision’ speaks to the heart and is far more compelling. Vision is about painting a picture of what the world will look like when your mission is successful.

For example, at Kingdom Bank, our mission is to provide financial services for churches, Christian charities, and ministry workers. But our vision is to help churches secure a gospel witness in their local communities for generations to come by enabling them to own their own, permanent home. Which one sounds more exciting?

Go on dates

People may not be willing to set up a regular monthly gift the first time they hear about you. They may want to travel with you for a bit first. As my dear friend Jerry Twombly would say, ‘you’ve got to take them out on a few dates before they agree to ‘go steady’ (he was American).

What does that look like for you? Ask them to sign up for a newsletter, join the Facebook or WhatsApp group. Or better yet, invite them to an event, a vision evening dinner, or a vision-casting prayer event. Whatever you do, provide food! Fill their hearts with a vision for what could be. And fill their bellies with some treats. It doesn’t have to be a three-course dinner, but sweet treats at vision-casting events are like motherhood and apple pie, everyone loves them. Remember, ‘the Son of Man came eating and drinking’ (Luke 7:34), so don’t be a bad host.

Make the ask

Churches have historically relied on tithes and offerings to support their financial needs. While these remain essential, a broader perspective on funding can unlock new opportunities:

• Planned giving and legacy donations – Encouraging members to consider leaving a legacy gift to the church can provide long-term financial stability.
• Grant funding – Many Christian charities and trusts offer financial support for church initiatives, particularly for building refurbishments or community outreach projects.
• Regular or one-off giving – Regular giving is great for ongoing ministry needs, but for capital projects like buying a new church building, one-off appeals can be a great way to kick-start a campaign.
• Matched funding campaigns – Engaging high-net-worth givers by rolling their significant one-off gifts into a match-funded campaign can be highly effective for stimulating action from both regular and high net-worth individuals.

Partnering with a bank that shares your vision

One of the biggest hurdles churches face when seeking funding is the reluctance of mainstream banks to provide support. Many churches struggle to secure mortgages or loans due to financial models that don’t fit conventional banking criteria.

This is where Kingdom Bank stands apart. We specialise in providing tailored mortgage solutions designed specifically for churches, Christian charities and ministry workers. With a deep understanding of church finances and a shared commitment to the gospel, we offer:

• Church mortgages – Whether you are purchasing a new building, renovating an existing one, or refinancing, we provide financial solutions designed with churches in mind.
• Expert guidance – Our team understands the unique financial structures of churches and works closely with you to find the right solution.
• A gospel-driven approach – We reinvest deposits from Christians back into gospel-centred projects, ensuring that every pound works for the Kingdom.

Thinking Differently About Stewardship

In 2020, Kingdom Bank lent £5 million to churches, charities, and ministry workers. In 2024, that figure grew to over £26 million and we’re on track to lend £31m in 2025

This demand for lending is being driven by:

• Growing rental insecurity – Many churches and ministries face uncertain lease and rental agreements.
• Property scarcity – Affordable spaces for gospel ministry are increasingly difficult to secure.
• Cultural challenges – Increasing hostility towards the Christian message raises concerns over rental agreements being terminated due to orthodox beliefs on gender and sexuality.

Our pledge to savers

To meet this demand, we need more savings customers—both Christian organisations and individuals —to partner with us and help strengthen and secure gospel witness in local communities for generations to come.

When our customers deposit with us, they are not just earning a return but are actively participating in gospel growth. Here are some reasons we’re different to other banks:

• Transparency – We lend to churches, Christian organisations, and ministry workers that share a missional focus and align with the Evangelical Alliance’s basis of faith.
• Impact – While we offer a financial return, our depositors are most excited by the eternal impact their investment has.
• Stewardship – We are not a charity, nor do we compete for donor giving. Instead, we provide a trusted way for our customers to ensure their God-given resources bear fruit for the Kingdom.

Kingdom Bank does not provide financial advice. Please seek independent financial advice when structuring your finances.