Don’t be afraid! Pick up the phone to say thank you.

Briiiiing! Briiiiing! Do you remember that melodic sound of the phone ringing and ringing and ringing in the kitchen? Back in the day (i.e., before cell phones), everyone wanted to answer the phone.

Who’s it for? What do they want? Please let it be for me! It was as if civilization had entered the four walls of the house. Human contact was finally going to be made with someone other than my parents.
 
Oh my, how times have changed. I have always been a Big (with a capital B) proponent of using the good-old-fashioned phone to make gratitude calls.

You can imagine my utter dismay when I read this headline in the Washington Post a mere two days ago:
 
The new phone call etiquette: Text first and never leave a voice mail
 
After someone helped me off the floor with a few smelling salts, I actually read the article.
 
It was, as I suspected, very generationally specific.
 
No matter what the headlines say, you can delight with a call (or text) saying, “thank you.”
 
Granted, how it’s done may be a generational thing.
 
If you’re thanking a 20 or 30-something and you have their cell phone number (does anyone actually have a land line these days?) – go ahead and text them your thanks. Maybe something like this:
 
“Hi Cindy-Lou-Who! This is Pastor Awesome. I want to thank you for being a part of our faith community. And thank you for your generosity too. We couldn’t do it without you. Blessings.” (Add a smiley emoji for good measure.)
 
Generally, those who are on the other side of the age-spectrum still like to use the phone. And some really like to hear a human voice…even if it’s a voice mail.
 
Just because you feel uncomfortable picking up the phone does not mean that the person on the other end of the line feels the same way.
 
Here’s an idea how to make that call:
 
“Hi Mister Bill! This is Pastor Awesome. Don’t worry. Nothing’s wrong! I’m calling to thank you for being part of our faith community. I know that you have been very generous too. I’m just calling to say ‘thank you.’ Your gifts keep us going strong. [Pause] How are you? [And then you listen.] Is there anything I can tell you about the church that you’re curious about? [And then you listen and respond appropriately]. Is there some way that I can be praying for you? [And then you listen some more.] It’s been great to talk with you. Once again, thank you for all you do and for what you mean to our congregation.”
 
If no one is home? Then leave a (gasp!) voice mail:
 
“Hi Mister Bill! This is Pastor Awesome. I’m calling to thank you for being part of our faith community. I know that you have been very generous too. Thank you! Your gifts keep us going strong. Please give me a call if you have any questions or would like some prayer. Thank you, again for supporting this congregation. God bless you!”
 
Unlike the Washington Post’s headline, here’s the one that you should memorize:
 
Actually, calling donors to thank them does make them more likely to give again (and give more)
 
In fact, if a call is made within 90 days after a first gift is given, the retention rate (meaning that the person will make another gift to you) increases by 41%. If a second call is made, that retention number jumps up to 58%. Not too shabby.
 
The phone – whether it’s via Ma Bell or an iPhone 15 – is your friend. It's a way to keep connection with people, both of your generation and of others as well. It continues to be way to convey,
 
“You matter. God loves you. Thank you.”
 
Photo credit: Polina Tankilivitch @ Pexels.com

Cesie Delve Scheuermann (pronounced “CC Delv Sherman,” yes, really) is a Stewardship Consultant for the OR-ID Annual Conference. She is also a Senior Ministry Strategist with Horizons Stewardship. For 25 years, while working as a volunteer and part-time consultant, she has helped raise over three million dollars for numerous churches and non-profit organizations.

She wants a moment to observe the passing of her childhood crush, Illya Kuryakin a.k.a. David McCallum. If she still had the poster, she’d sleep on his face so she could dream about him.
 
You can reach Cesie at inspiringgenerosity@gmail.com, at CesieScheuermann.com, or at cesieds@horizons.net. Want to schedule a meeting? She’s got you covered!
 
Schedule a meeting now.
 
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