No need for me to write: the clergy letter
The clergy or leader letter has a specific purpose: a personal ask to church members seeking a personal response; one appropriate to each individual.
“There’s no need for me to write about this service”, says St Paul. This ‘service’ is a financial gift to the church in Jerusalem (2 Cor 9:1). Paul then does what he says he doesn’t need to do! He writes a full chapter of the Bible about generous giving. His second in fact; he’s not long finished chapter 8.
Asking not begging
Fact is, we do need to write to folk about the needs and the opportunities facing the church. But before writing, take a moment. We are asking; not begging. Our letters are a Gospel invitation. An invitation to the kind of generous giving that will resource our ministry and mission. An invitation to grow in generous discipleship. There’s no need for embarrassment, nor an apologetic tone. Check out the blog, Who Asks, Receives for more on this.
Take two
We don’t write our letters in a vacuum. We are working with legal and regulatory frameworks which help ensure that we are respectful and sensitive in who we write to and how we write to them. We want to respect people’s privacy so we are attentive to the legal framework of UK GDPR requirements. We want to be sensitive to people so we are attentive to the framework set out by the Fundraising Regulator.
Find out more on these these legal and regulatory frameworks on the Making the Ask page. You will also find guidance on preparing a differentiated mailing list that is sensitive to UK GDPR requirements.
Practical guidance
There’s nothing worse than staring at a blank piece of paper and wondering how to begin. Worry not. Help is at hand. Visit the Making the Ask page for customisable templates of letters to at least get you started.
In fact, there are templates for three letters. The three templates reflect the principle of differentiation in Giving in Grace. Download the short document, Writing the Clergy Ask Letter for some practical guidance on keeping out letters personal, focused and confidential.
Differentiated letters
Don’t forget to check out the guidance on creating a GDR compliant differentiated mailing list. It’s on Making the Ask.