Sandy shares some perspective that is very important to keep in mind as we trudge through challenging times. It has been said that "tough times never last - tough people do". I would suggest that spiritually strong people are developed in the crucible of life and our work in schools.
"Hear" Sandy encourage us to walk in faith:
From Sandy M. Outlar - Headmaster, Lancaster Christian Schools
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,
whenever you face trials of many kinds…” James 1:2
1. My God will “bail me out” of my troubles, not the government.
Philippians 4:19 "...my God shall supply all your need according to His riches..."
2. Things of this world will become less important and faith, family and friends more important.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 "...He has put eternity in their hearts..."
3. We will learn to be stimulated by the Spirit of God rather than rely on a “stimulus package” from the government.
John 16:13 "...He (the Spirit of truth) will guide you into all truth..."
4. We will appreciate more the simple, profound and free things of life that God has sent our way.
Philippians 4:11 "...I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:..."
5. We will become more dependent and secure in our Lord.
Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.'
6. Prayer and trust will become priorities in our lives.
Proverbs 15:8 "...the prayer of the upright is His delight."
7. We will be surprised to see how people come to the “riches” found in Christ instead of turning to desperation and bankruptcy.
Romans 11:33 "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!"
8. The evidencing of believers pulling together and becoming more dependent on each other rather than more independent of each other.
Ephesians 4:1-8 "walk worthy of the calling with which you were called...bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace..."
9. To be given the privilege of giving not out of surplus, but out of sacrifice.
II Corinthians 8:2 "that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality."
10. To be more humble, grateful and appreciative for all God has given to us through Christ.
Philippians 2:3 "...let each esteem others better than himself."
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
What is wrong with "It works"?
1 Cor. 10:31 "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (NKJV)
What if you hear about a fund raising idea that should be used because "it works"?
I believe you need to ask 2 questions
1. What does "it works" constitute? More money than without?
2. Does "it works" - the end - justify the means?
The "what works" argument must be evaluated in light of your goal. As a development officer for a Christian school I am obligated to raise money in a way that honors the name of the One who called me, Jesus.
I believe we are obligated in at least two ways, the WHAT we do and the HOW (or motivation) with which we do our fundraising.
So, as I solicit a donor for a gift I must seek a Kingdom purpose. I think that purpose should be for our school as well as for the donor resulting in a "bi-lateral" blessing. With a business, like a bank, it may be more temporal and financial: they would like to be seen supporting a strong and morals-based college prep school. That is good for their business and banking is a profession that we can be in good company with.
With an individual donor I think I am always to appeal to Christ's work on the cross as the genesis of the orientation to give and God's gracious giving of all gifts as the means by which I/we exercise our faith.
I do not know how to prove that a biblical approach to fund raising gets better (financial) results. I do know that:
- I experience a freedom to minister when I rest in who is really doing the fund raising
- The raising of funds (like evangelism) is not a function of my cleverness or presentation - my presentation should be excellent because of who I represent
- It is better to let donors do business with the Holy Spirit than with me when it comes to responding to the call to give material resources
I do believe that there is much wealth being held by Christians because they have not been challenged (or not responded to the challenge) to give generously to the Lord in proportion to what they have been given.
So, where are we? Christian schools are hurting financially; many are closing because they are not financially viable; they are unwilling or unable to merge. The industry is suffering and I have this strong belief that part of the reason is that we have not gone about our work in the way the Bible prescribes. God may not bless our efforts if we fail to connect the gospel to giving.
What if you hear about a fund raising idea that should be used because "it works"?
I believe you need to ask 2 questions
1. What does "it works" constitute? More money than without?
2. Does "it works" - the end - justify the means?
The "what works" argument must be evaluated in light of your goal. As a development officer for a Christian school I am obligated to raise money in a way that honors the name of the One who called me, Jesus.
I believe we are obligated in at least two ways, the WHAT we do and the HOW (or motivation) with which we do our fundraising.
So, as I solicit a donor for a gift I must seek a Kingdom purpose. I think that purpose should be for our school as well as for the donor resulting in a "bi-lateral" blessing. With a business, like a bank, it may be more temporal and financial: they would like to be seen supporting a strong and morals-based college prep school. That is good for their business and banking is a profession that we can be in good company with.
With an individual donor I think I am always to appeal to Christ's work on the cross as the genesis of the orientation to give and God's gracious giving of all gifts as the means by which I/we exercise our faith.
I do not know how to prove that a biblical approach to fund raising gets better (financial) results. I do know that:
- I experience a freedom to minister when I rest in who is really doing the fund raising
- The raising of funds (like evangelism) is not a function of my cleverness or presentation - my presentation should be excellent because of who I represent
- It is better to let donors do business with the Holy Spirit than with me when it comes to responding to the call to give material resources
I do believe that there is much wealth being held by Christians because they have not been challenged (or not responded to the challenge) to give generously to the Lord in proportion to what they have been given.
So, where are we? Christian schools are hurting financially; many are closing because they are not financially viable; they are unwilling or unable to merge. The industry is suffering and I have this strong belief that part of the reason is that we have not gone about our work in the way the Bible prescribes. God may not bless our efforts if we fail to connect the gospel to giving.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Planned Giving for Eternity
Dale Walvort is Director of Advancement for Kalamazoo Christian Schools, an association that has been in existence for 130 years. He wrote this to friends of the school in November 2008.
Several months ago I attended a meeting that focused on planned giving opportunities in challenging economic times. Several of the topics were interesting, so I decided I would write an article about them for the next issue of our newsletter.
But things didn’t go as smoothly as I thought they would when it came time to “put pen to paper.” At first I couldn’t find the right type of reference material. Then I had several unexpected changes in my schedule.
When you read this several months will have passed since September 2008. But I am sure you remember those few days in September to be one of the most turbulent times for our economy since the Great Depression. All of our financial institutions seemed shaken down to their cores. Nothing seemed permanent anymore.
I was at the Barnabas Foundation annual meeting while all of this was happening. This organization is a Christian foundation that provides planned giving services to its Christian ministry members and their constituents. The seminars focused on issues such as the importance of will planning, how to promote planned giving, and some technical estate planning matters. The dominant theme of all discussions was that everything in this world belongs to God.
Then at the end of the week I was in church and noticed in the bulletin that the sermon topic was “Joy that Outlasts This Life.” As I listened to the message and followed the outline I was blessed to discover that my pastor had chosen to preach on the stewardship principles found in I Timothy 6. One of his central themes was that while everything in our lives on earth is temporal, we can use our material possessions to ensure future, or eternal, joy.
There haven’t been many times in my life where God has spoken to me as clearly as He did during that week. For this article, it would have been a good thing to tell how a charitable gift annuity can create tax savings in a down economy. But most people, including me, must work hard to remember that God owns everything in our lives and that we must use our material possessions to advance his kingdom. So my topic changed after that week ended.
Many (most, I hope) of you reading this article love and appreciate Christian schooling. Some have “lived” our schools for an entire lifetime, while others have been partners for several years. No matter how long you have been part of Christian schooling it’s my hope that you can see how the investment in the lives of Christian students is indeed an eternal investment.
Everyone’s financial situation is different (and changing, as we have seen in the past months). But one thing that will always remain constant is the opportunity to give back to God’s kingdom on earth when one goes to His heavenly kingdom. The process of preparing for that time is called planned giving.
So if you want to make a true eternal investment, I encourage you to learn about the basics of estate planning and about stewardship opportunities. These come from meeting with me and our planning partners.
Several other Christian schools around the country have a base of financial strength that is almost unequaled simply because they and their constituents have worked intentionally in the area of planned giving for many years; some are willing to name a schools as a partial beneficiary in their estate plan. Now these schools are in a strong position to be able to handle any decline in enrollment and the need for new facilities because of the eternal investments that were made. But first things must come first. Will you take this step of true stewardship?
Several months ago I attended a meeting that focused on planned giving opportunities in challenging economic times. Several of the topics were interesting, so I decided I would write an article about them for the next issue of our newsletter.
But things didn’t go as smoothly as I thought they would when it came time to “put pen to paper.” At first I couldn’t find the right type of reference material. Then I had several unexpected changes in my schedule.
When you read this several months will have passed since September 2008. But I am sure you remember those few days in September to be one of the most turbulent times for our economy since the Great Depression. All of our financial institutions seemed shaken down to their cores. Nothing seemed permanent anymore.
I was at the Barnabas Foundation annual meeting while all of this was happening. This organization is a Christian foundation that provides planned giving services to its Christian ministry members and their constituents. The seminars focused on issues such as the importance of will planning, how to promote planned giving, and some technical estate planning matters. The dominant theme of all discussions was that everything in this world belongs to God.
Then at the end of the week I was in church and noticed in the bulletin that the sermon topic was “Joy that Outlasts This Life.” As I listened to the message and followed the outline I was blessed to discover that my pastor had chosen to preach on the stewardship principles found in I Timothy 6. One of his central themes was that while everything in our lives on earth is temporal, we can use our material possessions to ensure future, or eternal, joy.
There haven’t been many times in my life where God has spoken to me as clearly as He did during that week. For this article, it would have been a good thing to tell how a charitable gift annuity can create tax savings in a down economy. But most people, including me, must work hard to remember that God owns everything in our lives and that we must use our material possessions to advance his kingdom. So my topic changed after that week ended.
Many (most, I hope) of you reading this article love and appreciate Christian schooling. Some have “lived” our schools for an entire lifetime, while others have been partners for several years. No matter how long you have been part of Christian schooling it’s my hope that you can see how the investment in the lives of Christian students is indeed an eternal investment.
Everyone’s financial situation is different (and changing, as we have seen in the past months). But one thing that will always remain constant is the opportunity to give back to God’s kingdom on earth when one goes to His heavenly kingdom. The process of preparing for that time is called planned giving.
So if you want to make a true eternal investment, I encourage you to learn about the basics of estate planning and about stewardship opportunities. These come from meeting with me and our planning partners.
Several other Christian schools around the country have a base of financial strength that is almost unequaled simply because they and their constituents have worked intentionally in the area of planned giving for many years; some are willing to name a schools as a partial beneficiary in their estate plan. Now these schools are in a strong position to be able to handle any decline in enrollment and the need for new facilities because of the eternal investments that were made. But first things must come first. Will you take this step of true stewardship?
Monday, February 16, 2009
God is the fund rasier - Rich Haynie
Part 2 from the article "The Road Less Travelled"
There is a second principle that distinguishes the two roads, again by the agents involved. On the wide road, the world's road, the burden for raising the funds is on us. On the road less traveled, God is the fund raiser. This principle is vital to understanding our role. Misunderstand it, and we can greatly misdirect the biblical precedent for raising money.
We see this clearly marked out for us in I Chronicles 29:9; Exodus 35:2 1; and II Corinthians 8 and 9 (esp. 9:7). I Chronicles 29:9 tells us, "The people rejoiced ... for they made their offering to the Lord with a whole heart." Exodus 35:21 says, "And everyone whose heart stirred him and everyone whose spirit moved him came and brought the Lord's contribution.....”. And 2 Corinthians 9:7 says, "Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart.....”.
Notice that the response of the people in each instance is a heart response. A need was shared and hearts were stirred and spirits moved, resulting in giving. Only one person can perform such a feat: God Himself. Proverbs 2 1:1 says, "The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes." In other words, God is the fund raiser.
So then, what is our job? To find that answer we need to notice what preceded these events of generous giving:
I Chronicles 29:9 - David presented the need in obedience to God's issuing of the vision in I Chronicles 28:6.
Exodus 35:21 - Moses presented the need based upon God's command from Mt. Sinai in Exodus 34:32.
II Corinthians 8 and 9 - Paul presented the need (as seen in chapter 8) and even received the liberty to "follow up" (chapter 9) based on his calling as an apostle in Romans 1: I and stated many other places.
Our job is to present the need. We understand this responsibility clearly in witnessing. We are told that our job is to be ambassadors for Christ. We are to deliver the message of the King. As we plant the seed of the gospel, God reveals the truth of His Word. Oswald Chambers wrote, "We are not commissioned to save souls, but to disciple them." When Simon Peter confessed Jesus as "...the Christ, the Son of the Living God," Jesus said to him, "...flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven." God makes Himself known to unsaved men as believers faithfully deliver His message.
The same is true in fundraising. We are simply called to present the need and allow God to reveal to each donor his or her financial participation. This is an extremely liberating concept from the messenger's standpoint. As we are led to present the need, we need not worry about the results, since they do not depend upon us. "Rejection" does not exist. We should keep our eyes squarely focused on the role of giving the message or presenting the need.
Walking along this road less traveled is only possible because of a tremendous assurance in Scripture: God's provision. Philippians 4:19 tells us, "My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." If a legitimate (God-initiated) ministry exists, then God has already provided for its financial need. We are not required to "create" funding or to convince others that they "need" to participate financially. God has already appropriated the funding; our job is to share the need and allow God to identify those to whom He has given the resources.
There is a second principle that distinguishes the two roads, again by the agents involved. On the wide road, the world's road, the burden for raising the funds is on us. On the road less traveled, God is the fund raiser. This principle is vital to understanding our role. Misunderstand it, and we can greatly misdirect the biblical precedent for raising money.
We see this clearly marked out for us in I Chronicles 29:9; Exodus 35:2 1; and II Corinthians 8 and 9 (esp. 9:7). I Chronicles 29:9 tells us, "The people rejoiced ... for they made their offering to the Lord with a whole heart." Exodus 35:21 says, "And everyone whose heart stirred him and everyone whose spirit moved him came and brought the Lord's contribution.....”. And 2 Corinthians 9:7 says, "Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart.....”.
Notice that the response of the people in each instance is a heart response. A need was shared and hearts were stirred and spirits moved, resulting in giving. Only one person can perform such a feat: God Himself. Proverbs 2 1:1 says, "The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes." In other words, God is the fund raiser.
So then, what is our job? To find that answer we need to notice what preceded these events of generous giving:
I Chronicles 29:9 - David presented the need in obedience to God's issuing of the vision in I Chronicles 28:6.
Exodus 35:21 - Moses presented the need based upon God's command from Mt. Sinai in Exodus 34:32.
II Corinthians 8 and 9 - Paul presented the need (as seen in chapter 8) and even received the liberty to "follow up" (chapter 9) based on his calling as an apostle in Romans 1: I and stated many other places.
Our job is to present the need. We understand this responsibility clearly in witnessing. We are told that our job is to be ambassadors for Christ. We are to deliver the message of the King. As we plant the seed of the gospel, God reveals the truth of His Word. Oswald Chambers wrote, "We are not commissioned to save souls, but to disciple them." When Simon Peter confessed Jesus as "...the Christ, the Son of the Living God," Jesus said to him, "...flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven." God makes Himself known to unsaved men as believers faithfully deliver His message.
The same is true in fundraising. We are simply called to present the need and allow God to reveal to each donor his or her financial participation. This is an extremely liberating concept from the messenger's standpoint. As we are led to present the need, we need not worry about the results, since they do not depend upon us. "Rejection" does not exist. We should keep our eyes squarely focused on the role of giving the message or presenting the need.
Walking along this road less traveled is only possible because of a tremendous assurance in Scripture: God's provision. Philippians 4:19 tells us, "My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." If a legitimate (God-initiated) ministry exists, then God has already provided for its financial need. We are not required to "create" funding or to convince others that they "need" to participate financially. God has already appropriated the funding; our job is to share the need and allow God to identify those to whom He has given the resources.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
God Owns it all - Rich Haynie (OC International)
Part 1 from the article "The Road Lass Travelled in Fundraising"
One group looks at fundraising in a very pragmatic, horizontal way. "People control the resources we need to fund our program. Therefore, we need to find those people so we can access those funds." Simple. Direct. To the point. These are the pragmatic doers who make things happen, whether God might want them to or not. Theirs is the road that "guarantees" programs and techniques, promising "X" returns for "Y" efforts. But the principle underlying the approach is the giveaway that this road is a dead end. People are the source of the funds. People are the secret to obtaining the funds.
The principle underlying the other road is so very different. This is the acknowledgment that God owns it all. It is the recognition that we don't own any of what we call "our" resources. It is all His.
In the context of fundraising, I Chronicles 29 depicts the fundamental concept. David expresses this principle. beginning in verse 10: "Thine, O Lord, is everything that is in the heavens and the earth... Both riches and honor come from Thee, and it lies in Thy hand to make it great.” Further on he prays, "O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided to build Thee a house for Thy holy name, it is from Thy hand, and all is Thine."
Certainly David understood that God is the source. If God owns it all, spending God's money is a spiritual decision. Whether we spend one penny on a piece of bubble gum or $30,000 on a sports car, we are trustees, if you will, of God's money. Therefore we should be well aware of how He wants that money spent. This fact can be difficult for many people. Most of us would feel capable, with very little guidance, of making a one-cent spending decision. But we should remember John 15:5, which reminds us that "...apart from Me, you can do nothing."
One group looks at fundraising in a very pragmatic, horizontal way. "People control the resources we need to fund our program. Therefore, we need to find those people so we can access those funds." Simple. Direct. To the point. These are the pragmatic doers who make things happen, whether God might want them to or not. Theirs is the road that "guarantees" programs and techniques, promising "X" returns for "Y" efforts. But the principle underlying the approach is the giveaway that this road is a dead end. People are the source of the funds. People are the secret to obtaining the funds.
The principle underlying the other road is so very different. This is the acknowledgment that God owns it all. It is the recognition that we don't own any of what we call "our" resources. It is all His.
In the context of fundraising, I Chronicles 29 depicts the fundamental concept. David expresses this principle. beginning in verse 10: "Thine, O Lord, is everything that is in the heavens and the earth... Both riches and honor come from Thee, and it lies in Thy hand to make it great.” Further on he prays, "O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided to build Thee a house for Thy holy name, it is from Thy hand, and all is Thine."
Certainly David understood that God is the source. If God owns it all, spending God's money is a spiritual decision. Whether we spend one penny on a piece of bubble gum or $30,000 on a sports car, we are trustees, if you will, of God's money. Therefore we should be well aware of how He wants that money spent. This fact can be difficult for many people. Most of us would feel capable, with very little guidance, of making a one-cent spending decision. But we should remember John 15:5, which reminds us that "...apart from Me, you can do nothing."
Monday, February 9, 2009
Open Doors in the Face of Economic Downturn
From Rob Spykstra, Veritas Academy, Lancaster, PA
If you were hoping for the secret door to development success in raising funds during economic downturn, then you might be disappointed in my thoughts, disappointed that is, if you define development success solely on money raised. However, if development success in fundraising is defined differently, then you might be greatly encouraged.
As Christian development directors we are to define our success in fundraising, not merely by dollars raised, but more importantly by hearts ministered. And I am finding great success, that is, open doors like never before.
Just today I spoke with a businessman who I had never met. As I shared with him the possibility of his company taking tax credits for the benefit of our school he simply said, “I don’t need tax credits. I don’t have any taxes because we’re not making any money.” Then he began to share his concerns. By the tone of his voice he was asking for some hope.
This became my open door.
Perhaps God will give you open doors. Here are some thoughts we can share. Here is some hope we can give.
We can share about God’s purposes. God graciously gives us economic downturn to reveal our hearts and sweep away our trust in the uncertainty of riches. Riches have always been uncertain and unreliable for true joy. The writer of Proverbs reminds us to stop toiling after wealth, “When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.”(Proverbs 23:5). Rather we are to trust “in God who graciously gives us all things to enjoy.”(1 Timothy 6:17) God is after our joy, and he knows it is not found in wealth.
We can share about God’s resources. I found that if hope in my abilities or in others’ abilities my joy always wanes. This economy certainly causes me to shudder at my and others’ abilities. But I am not without resource. Our hope is in God who owns all things, “all that is in the heavens and the earth is yours.”(1 Chronicles 29:11) Our hope is in God who strengthens us in the face of great difficulties, “In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.”(1 Chronicles 29:12) There is plenty of resource.
Finally, we can share about sound investments. Paul says, “Be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share.” Why? “Thus storing up treasure for yourself as a good foundation for the future.”(1 Timothy 6:19) What future? Eternity. In the face of economic uncertainty we can offer up our ministries as a sound investment, one where those who receive will benefit, but also one where those who give will benefit . . . both not only now, but for all eternity.
Give God thanks today for this economic downturn, there is some real open doors for success.
If you were hoping for the secret door to development success in raising funds during economic downturn, then you might be disappointed in my thoughts, disappointed that is, if you define development success solely on money raised. However, if development success in fundraising is defined differently, then you might be greatly encouraged.
As Christian development directors we are to define our success in fundraising, not merely by dollars raised, but more importantly by hearts ministered. And I am finding great success, that is, open doors like never before.
Just today I spoke with a businessman who I had never met. As I shared with him the possibility of his company taking tax credits for the benefit of our school he simply said, “I don’t need tax credits. I don’t have any taxes because we’re not making any money.” Then he began to share his concerns. By the tone of his voice he was asking for some hope.
This became my open door.
Perhaps God will give you open doors. Here are some thoughts we can share. Here is some hope we can give.
We can share about God’s purposes. God graciously gives us economic downturn to reveal our hearts and sweep away our trust in the uncertainty of riches. Riches have always been uncertain and unreliable for true joy. The writer of Proverbs reminds us to stop toiling after wealth, “When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.”(Proverbs 23:5). Rather we are to trust “in God who graciously gives us all things to enjoy.”(1 Timothy 6:17) God is after our joy, and he knows it is not found in wealth.
We can share about God’s resources. I found that if hope in my abilities or in others’ abilities my joy always wanes. This economy certainly causes me to shudder at my and others’ abilities. But I am not without resource. Our hope is in God who owns all things, “all that is in the heavens and the earth is yours.”(1 Chronicles 29:11) Our hope is in God who strengthens us in the face of great difficulties, “In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.”(1 Chronicles 29:12) There is plenty of resource.
Finally, we can share about sound investments. Paul says, “Be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share.” Why? “Thus storing up treasure for yourself as a good foundation for the future.”(1 Timothy 6:19) What future? Eternity. In the face of economic uncertainty we can offer up our ministries as a sound investment, one where those who receive will benefit, but also one where those who give will benefit . . . both not only now, but for all eternity.
Give God thanks today for this economic downturn, there is some real open doors for success.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
A Legacy for True Living
Do we, in the stewardship business, have the right or the opportunity to discuss the concept of legacy? Do donors to our schools see the whole picture of where they are investing? Is there a benefit to them in this life?
Thankfully, the scriptures answer these questions for us.
1 Timothy 6:17-19 — “Command those who are rich in this present world … to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”
In this passage we are to command the rich to be rich toward God. We should tell our friends to be generous and willing to share. Why? Because these investments are laid up in heaven, a place that is not subject to the oscillations of the earthly investment world.
Part of our work, then, is to connect the riches of Christians with the eternal consequences of a Christian education.
What are the implications of this when we write an appeal letter? I believe that, rather than talk solely about our school's financial needs, we must describe what God has and is doing in the school while we encourage the donor be rich to kingdom work.
Notice how Paul describes the life benefit to the donor, "...that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." True life and true living is that living where our purposes are aligned with the Lord's.
What a privilege for us "stewardship shepherds" to be able to play a small part in God's work of advocating His kingdom here on earth.
Lastly, if we are able to have these kinds of interactions with donors and friends we can trust God completely if He directs the gifts to go somewhere other than our school. After all, He owns it all and there is plenty available for all of His projects.
Thankfully, the scriptures answer these questions for us.
1 Timothy 6:17-19 — “Command those who are rich in this present world … to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”
In this passage we are to command the rich to be rich toward God. We should tell our friends to be generous and willing to share. Why? Because these investments are laid up in heaven, a place that is not subject to the oscillations of the earthly investment world.
Part of our work, then, is to connect the riches of Christians with the eternal consequences of a Christian education.
What are the implications of this when we write an appeal letter? I believe that, rather than talk solely about our school's financial needs, we must describe what God has and is doing in the school while we encourage the donor be rich to kingdom work.
Notice how Paul describes the life benefit to the donor, "...that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." True life and true living is that living where our purposes are aligned with the Lord's.
What a privilege for us "stewardship shepherds" to be able to play a small part in God's work of advocating His kingdom here on earth.
Lastly, if we are able to have these kinds of interactions with donors and friends we can trust God completely if He directs the gifts to go somewhere other than our school. After all, He owns it all and there is plenty available for all of His projects.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Stop, Drop and Pray
When we are are caught in a fire and our clothes are burning we are told to "stop, drop, and roll". Sometimes we see our job of fundraising as one where we feel flames licking our clothes. There is so much to raise and so little time and so few resources to tap.
1 Th. 5:16-18 'Be joyful always; pray continuously; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.'
I was at a conference recently with other school advancement officers and there is a sense that we are fighting an uphill battle, mostly by ourselves. Even though we realize that God Himself is the one who brings all good gifts, we often act as though it is all up to us, or up to our boards, etc.
Paul's instruction reminds us that we should remember to be joyful for who we are in Christ. He wants us on our knees 'continuously' seeking and trusting. We are to give thanks in all circumstances, even difficult ones.
Stopping to pray is recognizing who God is in our work, declaring our own inability to do everything, and trusting the Lord to lead us in the way we should go. This might mean being still and listening to see what the Lord would have us to do next. Or, He might just be saying, 'stop and watch me work."
If we build our work on Kingdom principles we can be sure that, even if we "fail" in our fund raising objectives, God's truth abides and it will sustain us and our school.
Matthew 6:33-34 'But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.'
1 Th. 5:16-18 'Be joyful always; pray continuously; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.'
I was at a conference recently with other school advancement officers and there is a sense that we are fighting an uphill battle, mostly by ourselves. Even though we realize that God Himself is the one who brings all good gifts, we often act as though it is all up to us, or up to our boards, etc.
Paul's instruction reminds us that we should remember to be joyful for who we are in Christ. He wants us on our knees 'continuously' seeking and trusting. We are to give thanks in all circumstances, even difficult ones.
Stopping to pray is recognizing who God is in our work, declaring our own inability to do everything, and trusting the Lord to lead us in the way we should go. This might mean being still and listening to see what the Lord would have us to do next. Or, He might just be saying, 'stop and watch me work."
If we build our work on Kingdom principles we can be sure that, even if we "fail" in our fund raising objectives, God's truth abides and it will sustain us and our school.
Matthew 6:33-34 'But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.'
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