There’s a New T in Town

The 4th T to add to Time, Talent, and Treasure

You all know the Three Ts; most congregations talk about them and so most congregants know them as well: time, talent, and treasure. Now congregations generally admit that they are not doing such a great job in motivating, engaging, or certainly asking for all three of the Ts to support their missions. There are usually one or two Ts a particular congregation does better with than the other one or two. Well at the risk of adding to systems that are already not operating a full capacity, let me add another T: Ties.

Ties: Your social capital; your social network, your professional or collegial network, or your neighborhood contacts

In this age of social media and smart devices we carry with us (everywhere!), it is easier and faster to connect with people we know, knew in the past — and even those we don’t know at all. Our networks are much more geographically widespread and diverse as a result. Some might say they are more casual, loose, and shallow as well but that depends on how we create and use them. Right now, I have 931 Friends on Facebook and 1017 Contacts on LinkedIn. It is not because I am a renowned public figure, nor a diligent “connector”, nor have I spent a lot of effort on extending my network as a goal unto itself. It is just a lot easier than it used to be. I don’t think I am that unusual in that – except perhaps in how modest my network may be compared to people who are “digital natives.” You may also be using Twitter, Pinterest, Snapchat, or another network.

I also have social networks with my in-person (embodied?) contacts. Some of these are in my own congregation. I can use those to contribute to the vibrancy of my congregation as well.

[Tweet “The fourth T: Time, Talent, Treasure — and Ties”]

Before I give you a starter list of how you might use your Ties to support your congregation, think for a minute… How are you using your networks right now? Please send your ideas and suggestions and we can create a long list!

Here are some of my ideas for how you can contribute your Ties to help support your congregation. Some of these are virtual and some are in-person:

• Share something powerful about your congregation on your digital networking sites –to people NOT from your congregation or denomination –– and invite them to join you there on a specific date & time
• Forward other people’s social media postings, about your congregation – to your whole network
• Having an auction, concert, or other event? Post the flyer using your social media platforms and tag your friends with a specific invitation
• Write a post about why you are inspired to contribute generously to your congregation and share it to your whole network or just your fellow congregants
• When your congregation launches a Faithify drive, send a personal message and link to your personal contacts. When they contribute, send them a personal thank you and ask them to join you for an in person visit
• When you get married, have a child dedicated, or have a daughter complete coming of age, ask for donations to your congregation in lieu of gifts. Do that through your invitations and post it online so everyone can participate
• When your family & friends come to those events, ask them to come back and join you for another service or event
• Talk to your loved ones about what you want to happen at your own memorial service, and when you do, ask people to contribute to the congregation in lieu of flowers
• During the annual drive at your congregation, give a testimonial – on Sunday, in writing, or on video — then share it widely on line
• During the annual drive at your congregation, talk to your friends at coffee hour, small group, or other gatherings about why you give generously to the congregation and ask them if they have made their commitment
• When you are doing something in the community as part of your congregation – participating in social justice actions, community service, or cultural events – invite the other people there to come visit the congregation on a Sunday morning

As you can see, you can use your Ties within your congregational network. And you can use your Ties with your contacts from other contexts. You will notice that this means you will have to come out as a Unitarian Universalist! Some people are concerned about this because they don’t want to seem to be proselytizing. Please note that to proselytize means to try to covert someone.  And converting people is pretty much against our Unitarian Universalist principles. So let go of your inhibitions, get out there, and use your Ties!

Mark Ewert is a stewardship consultant with the Stewardship For Us team. Mark can be reached at mewert@stewardshipforus.com, via the UUA’s Congregational Stewardship Network, (http://www.uua.org/finance/fundraising/index.shtml), or through your regional staff.