Let me tell you something I’ve seen over and over again — and maybe you’ve lived it too:
There are churches doing incredible work… feeding families, mentoring youth, helping folks stay housed, keeping people connected and cared for — and still barely scraping by.
Not because people don’t believe in the mission. Not because folks don’t care.
But because nobody wants to make the ask.
Fundraising feels uncomfortable. Fear creeps in, and most of us don’t even realize how much it’s running the show. We just stay busy — convincing ourselves we’re moving forward when really, we’re just avoiding the hard part.
So let’s be honest about what that looks like — and then I’ll show you how to push past it.
And when you’re ready to move from stuck to confident, watch the video: How to Overcome the Fear of Fundraising. It’ll walk you through exactly how to break through hesitation and start asking with boldness.
Let’s get into it.
Sign #1: You tell yourself, “We’re still getting ready.” But it’s been months.
You’ve got your spreadsheet. You’ve got your meeting notes. You’ve got the flyer halfway done. But no asks have gone out. No calls have been made. You keep saying, “We just need to finish a few more things.”
But let’s be honest — the real reason you haven’t launched yet isn’t logistics. It’s fear. You’re trying to perfect the plan so you don’t have to feel uncomfortable making the ask.
I’ve seen churches “get ready” for six months and raise nothing. Meanwhile, the food pantry still needs diapers, the youth program still doesn’t have a van, and folks are burning out trying to hold it all together.
You don’t need perfect. You need momentum.
Sign #2: You keep planning events instead of having real donor conversations.
Listen — I’m not against fish fries, concerts, or community day. But if you’re doing all that to avoid picking up the phone and having one-on-one conversations with people who could really fund your work… that’s not strategy. That’s fear in disguise.
Events are comfortable. You get to be busy. You get to feel like you’re “doing something.” But most of the time, they’re just smoke and mirrors.
I’ve watched churches raise $1,200 from a weekend event — then turn around and raise $10,000 from five donor calls. So ask yourself: are you working hard, or are you working scared?
Sign #3: You bury your giving message under everything else.
You stand up on Sunday and say: “Alright, just a few quick announcements — we’ve got Bible study on Wednesday, Sister Denise needs help in the kitchen, the youth are selling T-shirts, oh and if you’d like to give, we’ve got a basket in the back.”
That’s not a giving invitation — that’s an afterthought.
I see it all the time. Folks want to avoid sounding pushy, so they tuck the ask way down in the fine print. But let me tell you something: if you’re not confident in your ask, nobody else will be either.
You’ve got to say it like it matters — because it does.
Sign #4: You push out flyers but never follow up.
I’ve seen leaders spend hours designing the perfect social media post, printing glossy brochures, even building websites — but still won’t call their top three donors.
Let me be real with you: flyers don’t close gifts. Graphics don’t build relationships. Conversations do.
If you’re posting and praying but not picking up the phone, you’re not fundraising — you’re marketing without follow-up. And that’s why the money’s not coming in.
Sign #5: You keep waiting for the “right time.”
You tell yourself: “We’ll launch after Easter.” “Let’s wait until the building project is done.” “Maybe next quarter would be better.”
But there’s always something. And while you’re waiting, your programs are underfunded, your team is stretched thin, and your church is still hoping somebody else will step up.
But here’s the truth: the right time isn’t coming. You’ve got to move now. Even if it’s messy. Even if it’s not perfect. Even if you’re scared.
Because this work matters. And you owe it to your community to fund it boldly.
So what do you do when fear shows up?
You don’t wait for courage. You act anyway.
That’s where The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins comes in. I use this myself. I teach it to every church I work with. It’s simple, and it works.
When fear hits, don’t think — just count:
5-4-3-2-1 — and GO.
Make the call. Send the email. Start the campaign. Open your mouth and ask.
That one small action can break the whole pattern of avoidance.
And don’t forget this: You Owe You.
That’s a message from Eric Thomas that stuck with me:
Nobody’s coming to do this for you.
Nobody’s coming to carry your church’s vision.
Nobody’s going to fund your ministry except you.
You owe it to yourself. You owe it to your church. You owe it to the community that’s counting on you — whether they say it out loud or not.
You’ve got to move like your people need you. Because they do.
The Real Framework That Raises Money
If you’re ready to shift — here’s the 5-step process I coach every church through:
- Start with Connection. Before you ever ask for a dime, build the relationship.
- Share the Mission. Show what your programs do and who they serve — not just stats, but real impact.
- Make the Ask. Be bold. Be specific. Be clear. Don’t mumble through it.
- Show Appreciation. A thank-you isn’t a formality. It’s how you build trust.
- Follow Up. Keep people engaged. Let them see what their giving makes possible.
Fundraising isn’t just about the money. It’s about community. It’s about building something people want to be part of.
Your Challenge Starts Now
- Write down one person’s name — someone you’ve been avoiding reaching out to.
- Count down: 5-4-3-2-1
- Reach out today. Call. Text. Email. Doesn’t matter — just move.
This is how you stop shrinking. This is how you stop waiting for perfect. This is how you start building something real — something your community can count on.
You got this. Now go make the ask.
And if you need a step-by-step push to help you get started — go watch the video: How to Overcome the Fear of Fundraising. It’ll show you exactly how to move past fear and ask with confidence.