Communicating anything is difficult during the last months of the year. Church life and home life are often incredibly hectic during this season.

As the end of the year approaches, church leaders inevitably find themselves incredibly busy. The end of the year is filled with a flurry of activity. Special emphases and events fill the church calendar. The days often go by in a blur.

Congregants’ lives are also busy. They have families to visit, big meals to cook, parties to attend, and presents to purchase. For many congregants, the end of the year feels like an exhausting, months-long sprint, running from one thing to the next. Even during the church service, some congregants’ minds are less focused on the preacher’s teaching and more about the next errand to run. 

The busyness of church life and home life during the end of the year serves to highlight the importance for clear, intentional communication, especially when it comes to generosity.  This is the perfect time to leverage everything you have communicated throughout the year already. Instead of trying to communicate something new, provide a few reminders. Here are six reminders to communicate during this end-of-year season.

1. Remind the congregation of the church’s vision and mission.

Congregants should be able to answer the question, “What are we about? What are we pursuing as a church?” They should know the answer because they are regularly discussed at the church. They hear about the church’s vision and mission in the new member class. They hear about the church’s vision and mission in their small groups. They hear about the church’s vision and mission from staff members on stage during the service. And they hear about the church’s vision and mission during the sermon. The church’s vision and mission are not something to keep secret. They are meant to be repeated. And the end of the year is an important place to remind congregants what the church is pursuing. 

The church’s vision and mission are not something to keep secret. They are meant to be repeated.

2. Remind the congregation of how God used financial resources during the past year.

What happened this past year? What steps were we taking toward realizing the church’s vision and mission? What lives were eternally impacted? More than likely, God did some amazing things this past year. He used the congregants’ generosity in an incredible way. Be sure to communicate this to the church. As the year closes, illustrate God’s work by sharing a few stories of life change. Consider even having the individuals impacted by the congregants’ generosity tell the story. This type of communication can help congregants to focus on the work of God in which they participated. Remind the congregation of how God used financial resources during the past year. 

3. Remind the congregation of how God is using their generosity this month. 

Talk about the here and now. Certainly, God has done great things through your church’s generosity during the year. And this should be celebrated. But also communicate what God is doing right now. Maybe there is a group currently on a mission trip, reaching people with the gospel. Maybe a small group volunteered at a homeless shelter during the week. Maybe Christmas presents were purchased for several needy families. Maybe an entire family just made Jesus Lord of their lives, and they are going to be baptized in an upcoming service. Focusing on the here and now causes congregants to realize that, even during the busyness, God is still moving. And their generosity is a part of it. Remind the congregation of how God is using their generosity this month. 

Focusing on the here and now causes congregants to realize that, even during the busyness, God is still moving. And their generosity is a part of it.

4. Remind the congregation why December giving is important to the church.

You understand how the church budget works. For most churches, year-end giving is essential to meeting the annual budget. Many churches rely on December’s generosity to fuel its mission. Church members and attendees are not always aware of December’s importance. But if they were aware, they may be more intentional about their year-end generosity. There are those who love the church and desire to be a part of its mission. Once they understand the essential nature of year-end giving, they gladly participate. But they first must be aware of the month’s significance. Remind the congregation why December giving is important to the church.

Once they understand the essential nature of year-end giving, they gladly participate.

5. Remind the congregation about the upcoming year’s plans. 

God has not only used the congregants’ generosity to impact lives this past year, and He is not only multiplying financial gifts to make a difference in this month. God will leverage congregants’ generosity to eternally change lives in the upcoming year as well. Get the church excited about 2023 by reminding them of the upcoming year’s plans. Have them pray that God will leverage the church to reach the lost in their local community and around the world. And have them prayerfully consider their role in 2023 and how God wants them to give. Remind them of Jesus’ words in John 14:12, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father” (ESV). God works through those whose heart is surrendered to Him. Remind them of this, and remind the congregation of this upcoming year’s plans. 

God will leverage congregants’ generosity to eternally change lives in the upcoming year.

6. Remind the congregation of how they can financially participate. 

Your church likely has several ways through which a person could give. In-service giving, online giving, kiosk giving, mobile app giving, and text-to-give may all be available at your church. You have tried to reduce any barrier to a person’s giving. Remind the congregation of this and encourage them to give in whatever way is easiest. Remind the congregation of how they can financially participate.

The end of the year can be busy for everyone. Therefore, church leaders must be intentional about their communication. As the year comes to a close, remind the congregation of things you’ve been telling them throughout the year—the vision and mission, God’s impact, and their role in it all.