Religious organizations receive the largest share of giving, at roughly ONE-THIRD of all U.S. charitable dollars.   But did you know that 20 years ago giving to religion accounted for HALF?

J. Clif Christopher, author of Not Your Parents Offering Plate,  says that the decline is caused by increased competition from secular nonprofit organizations, combined with a lack of training in fundraising methods among religious leaders.   Also, "asking for money scares 90% of pastors to death."

But arguably more than anyone, faith  leaders  can truly exemplify Henry Rosso's classic definition: "Fundraising is the gentle art of teaching the joy of giving."

A good first step is to study, reflect, and challenge your own attitudes about money from a spiritual pespective.   You will find many wonderful resources at the United Theological Seminary Library, including:

• Full Disclosure: Everything the Bible Says about Financial Giving by Herb Miller
• At Ease: Discussing Money and Values in Small Groups by John Ronsvalle
• Faith & Money: Understanding Annual Giving in Church by Michael Reeves and Jennifer Tyler
• Winning Grants to Strengthen Your Ministry by Joy Skjegstad
• Extraordinary Money: Understanding the Church Capital Campaign by Michael Reeves

Next  look for models.    Just up the road in  Tipp City, Ohio, the Sudan Project at Ginghamsburg Church has emerged as a national model.

Start having conversations about money and giving within your faith community.   One interesting method of doing this  is called  Lazarus at the Gate.   Or consult the manual put together by Kim Klein, Ask and You Shall Receive.

Advanced training for faith leaders is offered at the Lake  Institute on Faith & Giving at the Center on Philanthropy, Indiana University.

For an overview of the topic, read Faith Communities and Financial Giving from the Hartford Seminary.