Why a Priest Should Confidently Ask Parishioners
for the Financial Support of the Parish

"People will think that I am doing this to line my own pocket." "People will think less of the priesthood." "I will be indebted to those who make large gifts." "I will make people cynical. They will say, ‘All the priest ever talks about is money!’" "I will be accused of showing favoritism in the parish." "When people say no, I will feel personally rejected." These and many more comments I have often heard from my brother priests and father bishops over the years. I too have felt these concerns. This brief article seeks to offer a thoughtful response, for I no longer feel this way.

Jesus asked people for money – and much more than money. To the rich young man he said, "Go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." (Mt. 19:21) To the apostles Andrew and Peter he said, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." (Mt. 4:19) To emphasize the ultimate sacrifice that may be required of those who follow Him, Jesus said, "He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." (Mt. 10:37-38).

It is important that Jesus never asked for his own sake but for the sake of the poor or for the sake of the one who is asked – so that they will find salvation in God. When a priest asks a parishioner to make a meaningful gift for the operating budget, or to convert appreciated assets for a capital gift to fund a much-needed building, or to remember the church in his or her estate, he is not asking for himself, but rather for the glorification of God.

Like Jesus, priests unhesitatingly and on a regular basis ask parishioners for things much dearer and much more difficult to part with than money. A priest will call for repentance in a sermon. He may exhort a parishioner to forgive someone after 20 years of resentments. In the context of pastoral ministry a priest may ask a parishioner to address an addiction – and the need to give up something very dear indeed. He may ask a volunteer for an extraordinary gift of time in some major parish undertaking. Why is it so difficult therefore, to ask for the gift of resources?

We must remember this essential fact: the number one reason why people go to church is that they are asked to go to church. The very same thing may be said of parish financing and therefore of parish advancement, mission and service. The number one reason why people give is that they are asked to give.