When I sat down with Copper Nelms—co‑founder of Four Church Agency and a former church leader—to record an episode of the ChurchCandy Podcast, I knew he had rebuilt a culture of generosity in his congregation. What I didn’t know was how he did it without a capital campaign or high‑pressure fundraising. Copper and his team saw over 60 percent growth in giving in a single year, and a 45 percent increase per household the next year. Even more impressive: they never told people to “give more.”
If you’re a pastor, church planter, or ministry leader who wants to cultivate a healthy giving culture, Copper’s story offers a practical blueprint. Below I’ll share what I learned from our conversation, including the systems he built, the mindset behind them, and specific steps any church can take.
Confronting Controversial Practices
We opened our conversation by talking about some of the debates that swirl around church culture—music styles, lighting, traditions and tech. Copper reminded me that preferences shouldn’t drive mission. “It’s easy to focus on the wrong things,” he said. “We argue about fog machines and guitars, but the real question is whether we’re helping people encounter Jesus.”
That attitude was forged in the heat of online criticism. When Copper’s church went viral on social media, it wasn’t just supportive comments. “People would say, ‘Why do you have lights? Why does the pastor wear sneakers?’” he recalled with a laugh. Instead of getting defensive, he decided to double down on clarity and vision, using the attention to invite people into a deeper conversation about faith.
Building a Generous Culture
The heart of Copper’s approach was discipleship, not dollars. Rather than launching a capital campaign, he and his team focused on building relationships and teaching people why generosity matters. “We never asked people to give more,” he told me. “We asked them to take a step—any step—in their spiritual journey.”
Here are a few principles that stood out:
- Celebrate before you solicit. Copper’s church made generosity a joyful part of their culture. They celebrated baptisms, shared stories of lives changed, and thanked people publicly for serving and giving. “Joy is contagious,” Copper said. “When people see the impact of their generosity, they want to be part of it.”
- Make giving personal. Instead of sending generic appeals, leaders met with families one‑on‑one. They listened to concerns, answered questions about how funds were used, and prayed with people. Transparency built trust.
- Teach the heart, not the dollar amount. Sermons and small‑group discussions focused on why giving is a spiritual discipline. Copper believes generosity flows out of gratitude and trust in God’s provision.
The Four‑Circle Meeting System
One system that helped Copper scale his relational approach was something he calls the four‑circle meeting. Each conversation covers four simple areas:
- Connect – start with a genuine interest in the person’s life and family.
- Celebrate – share stories of how their giving and involvement are making a difference in others’ lives.
- Educate – explain what the church is doing and why; answer questions about budgets, ministries and vision.
- Invite – offer a clear next step, whether it’s joining a serving team, attending a small group, or starting a regular giving rhythm.
This structure kept every meeting pastoral rather than transactional. “I wasn’t there to get a pledge,” Copper explained. “I was there to shepherd people and invite them into something bigger than themselves.”
Practical Steps for Encouraging Generosity
Toward the end of our conversation, I asked Copper to share concrete actions any pastor can take to start building a generous culture. Here’s what he recommended:
- Audit your weekend experience. Is your church making a strong first impression? Do people feel welcomed and informed about next steps?
- Tell stories often. Share testimonies of how generosity is changing lives inside and outside the church. Stories inspire more than statistics.
- Meet with your biggest supporters. Thank them personally and ask for feedback. Many pastors avoid these conversations because they feel awkward, but Copper insists that personal engagement creates champions.
- Simplify your giving options. Make it easy to give by offering online, mobile and in‑person options. Provide a clear, secure process.
- Lead by example. Copper noted that people follow their leaders. If pastors and staff aren’t generous, it’s hard to expect the congregation to be.
Lessons for Pastors
Copper’s story is encouraging because it proves you don’t need a slick fundraising campaign to see dramatic growth. You do need clarity, consistency and care. Here’s what I took away:
- Know why you exist. Be clear about your church’s mission and communicate it often. Vision attracts resources.
- Stop copying other churches. What works in one city may not work in yours. Learn principles, but contextualize them for your people.
- Build and empower a team. You can’t cultivate generosity alone. Train leaders and volunteers to own pieces of the process.
- Grow within your lane. Focus on the people God has called you to reach and the unique needs of your community.
Final Word
If you’re a pastor wondering how to increase generosity without turning your church into a fundraising machine, Copper’s story shows it’s possible. By focusing on people over programs and creating systems that support discipleship, his church saw giving grow by more than 60 percent while families took real spiritual steps.
You can start small: schedule a few four‑circle meetings, share a story of impact next Sunday, and look for ways to celebrate generosity. If you’d like help building out the systems that Copper and I discussed, my team at ChurchCandy would love to talk. Schedule a quick call and let’s see how we can help your church thrive.
Have you tried any of these ideas? Let me know in the comments.
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