Exodus 4:10-17
Moses said to the Lord, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue."
The Lord said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord?
Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."
But Moses said, "O Lord, please send someone else to do it."
Then the Lord's anger burned against Moses and he said, "What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and his heart will be glad when he sees you.
You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do.
He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him."
How often have we contemplated an upcoming interaction with a school friend, only to be paralyzed with the thought that we do not know how or what to say? I hope it is with some frequency; otherwise we are operating too much in our own strength.
The beauty of being in Christian ministry is that we have an (The) advocate who gives us words to speak if we just ask and make ourselves available.
Even more, we have the ultimate "advance man", the Holy Spirit, who goes before us and prepares the way. In this sense, He is working in the heart of the recipient to ready them for what the Lord has brought you to speak.
This is true for the broad communications like mailings and events; we can ask the Lord and He is pleased to stoop down from heaven to hear the heartfelt prayers and petitions of His children. Fathers are like that.
Finding your voice is also recognizing (as Moses did) that he does not speak alone. Aaron came alongside and supported the message and helped in a very visible way. Think of yourself as a member of a large and skilled choir. A single voice is heard and appreciated, but the orchestrated music of many voices coming together in one blended and beautiful voice is a gift from heaven.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
The Refiner's Fire
Malachi 3:1-4
"See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty.
But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap.
He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness,
and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years."
Sometimes we get frustrated when our plans don't work out. We make a presentation to a donor and it doesn't connect with them and their plans. We plan an event and there are not enough volunteers, or the attendance is lower than we had hoped.
What do we do with disappointments or, dare I say, failures? We could attribute them to our arch nemesis, Satan. He's always to good to blame.
How about the donor who just could not or would agree with our wonderful plans to extend the Kingdom through the school? Are they at fault?
Maybe the pastors that we try to bring into the school's sphere are just not grabbing the idea with gusto.
I believe these "sub-optimal" results are from the Lord's hand who loves us and wants our offerings to be acceptable; "offerings in righteousness".
Our work and our very lives are the crucible (remember high school science?) that is used for driving off our impurities in the approaches and motivations we use to raise funds.
These are not comfortable or easy times, but the loving God who gives us our call insures that we are refined and not destroyed; such is the nature of silver and gold.
"See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty.
But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap.
He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness,
and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years."
Sometimes we get frustrated when our plans don't work out. We make a presentation to a donor and it doesn't connect with them and their plans. We plan an event and there are not enough volunteers, or the attendance is lower than we had hoped.
What do we do with disappointments or, dare I say, failures? We could attribute them to our arch nemesis, Satan. He's always to good to blame.
How about the donor who just could not or would agree with our wonderful plans to extend the Kingdom through the school? Are they at fault?
Maybe the pastors that we try to bring into the school's sphere are just not grabbing the idea with gusto.
I believe these "sub-optimal" results are from the Lord's hand who loves us and wants our offerings to be acceptable; "offerings in righteousness".
Our work and our very lives are the crucible (remember high school science?) that is used for driving off our impurities in the approaches and motivations we use to raise funds.
These are not comfortable or easy times, but the loving God who gives us our call insures that we are refined and not destroyed; such is the nature of silver and gold.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Who is being served?
Joshua 24:15
"But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
Luke 16:13
"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."
There are at least four participants in the development world and they all vie for primary importance in our minds as we set about our task of raising funds. All are critical, but only one can be preeminent.
The school is the beneficiary of generous giving and we should vigorously promote the work going on. The school is also the "translator" of the funds into the Kingdom purposes in this particular ministry. The school is not the primary participant.
The fundraiser who makes the case for the school is very important. To many people, he or she is the face of the school, the one who is seen most often and the "message-bearer". We solicit the gifts and acknowledge them, too. The fundraiser is also not the primary participant.
The donors who share their wealth are vital to the school. Not only is their giving important, but they also help carry the message to others, thereby amplifying the message so it can be heard by others who might be led to give to the school. The donor is critical but also not the reason for our work in Christian ministry.
Then there is Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. To paraphrase Ford, "Jesus is job one". In every facet of our work we must see our Lord as the object of our work. We are to reflect Christ is every aspect. The Lord himself is the one who gives the gifts and the Holy Spirit is the one who motivates the giver.
Yes, Jesus is the one who is to be served.
"But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
Luke 16:13
"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."
There are at least four participants in the development world and they all vie for primary importance in our minds as we set about our task of raising funds. All are critical, but only one can be preeminent.
The school is the beneficiary of generous giving and we should vigorously promote the work going on. The school is also the "translator" of the funds into the Kingdom purposes in this particular ministry. The school is not the primary participant.
The fundraiser who makes the case for the school is very important. To many people, he or she is the face of the school, the one who is seen most often and the "message-bearer". We solicit the gifts and acknowledge them, too. The fundraiser is also not the primary participant.
The donors who share their wealth are vital to the school. Not only is their giving important, but they also help carry the message to others, thereby amplifying the message so it can be heard by others who might be led to give to the school. The donor is critical but also not the reason for our work in Christian ministry.
Then there is Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. To paraphrase Ford, "Jesus is job one". In every facet of our work we must see our Lord as the object of our work. We are to reflect Christ is every aspect. The Lord himself is the one who gives the gifts and the Holy Spirit is the one who motivates the giver.
Yes, Jesus is the one who is to be served.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Ten blessings in hard economic times
Ten Benefits (Blessings) for Christian Schools During Difficult Economic Times
S. M. Outlar
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,
whenever you face trials of many kinds….” James 1:2
1. We are more astute in utilizing the school’s finances.
Proverbs 30:8 “Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.”
2. The school becomes a special haven of security for soul and body of constituents during turbulent economic times.
Hebrews 6:19 “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,”
3. The world gets to see what we are made of - Resurrection Power!
Philippians 3:10 “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,”
4. We are driven to prayer and trust in our Lord.
Psalm 86:6 “Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my cry for mercy.”
5. Provide stewardship (money management) seminars for our families.
I Samuel 12:23 “As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right.”
6. Reach out to needy families in our community with food, goods and the
Gospel of Grace.
Psalm 37:3 “ Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.”
7. Consider how we might collaborate and partner with other Christian schools.
Philippians 1:3 “I thank my God every time I remember you.”
8. Stimulate and exemplify unity among the body of believers during times of stressful and fractured relationships.
Psalm 133:1 “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!”
9. A time to reassess our purpose for existing as Christian schools.
Hebrews 10:24 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds”
10. To practice the truth that it is better to give than receive.
Acts 20:35 “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive."
S. M. Outlar
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,
whenever you face trials of many kinds….” James 1:2
1. We are more astute in utilizing the school’s finances.
Proverbs 30:8 “Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.”
2. The school becomes a special haven of security for soul and body of constituents during turbulent economic times.
Hebrews 6:19 “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,”
3. The world gets to see what we are made of - Resurrection Power!
Philippians 3:10 “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,”
4. We are driven to prayer and trust in our Lord.
Psalm 86:6 “Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my cry for mercy.”
5. Provide stewardship (money management) seminars for our families.
I Samuel 12:23 “As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right.”
6. Reach out to needy families in our community with food, goods and the
Gospel of Grace.
Psalm 37:3 “ Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.”
7. Consider how we might collaborate and partner with other Christian schools.
Philippians 1:3 “I thank my God every time I remember you.”
8. Stimulate and exemplify unity among the body of believers during times of stressful and fractured relationships.
Psalm 133:1 “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!”
9. A time to reassess our purpose for existing as Christian schools.
Hebrews 10:24 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds”
10. To practice the truth that it is better to give than receive.
Acts 20:35 “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive."
Monday, March 16, 2009
Custom-designed stewardship
When we see how people came to salvation in the Scriptures it becomes clear that each person's salvation experience was custom-designed for the new convert. Look at how Nicodemus was called, how Jesus drew the disciples, and how perfectly suited Paul's experience was in order that he was met where he was and drawn savingly into a new relationship with Christ.
That is how it is with us in the work of raising funds for our school. Our "stewarding" the steward is to be done in a way that meets each school friend where they are. Think of the different types of friends we interact with.
We will work with current parents, alumni parents, alumni, other relatives, and donors with other connections; a large range of ages and maturity. Each one is on his or her own walk with the Lord; Christian maturity occurs at different rates and on different paths.
By the way, all of this applies to you and me, too.
Some are still wrestling the ownership issue: "I earned it, didn't I?"
Some believers understand ownership, but worry about the future expenses.
Some have thought about legacy, but don't know how to think about leaving money to their children.
Some need some guidance about the tithe and storehouse giving.
Many (most?) of us need to understand and believe the basic stewardship message: God has given many good gifts (material, time, and talent) which reflect God's glory and are to be used for Kingdom purposes. This can be a huge stumbling block, but it must be addressed before we may propose sacrificial giving.
Since most fund raisers are not trained in the "ministry" of stewardship, we tend to resort to shotgun techniques of raising funds; shoot big blasts into the air and see how many birds (coins and bills) fall to the ground.
Broad-based awareness raising (letters, events, etc.) is critical for gaining understanding about the school, but it is not generally where and how the money comes in. The people who send gifts are motivated by something else and our work (calling) is to "get in on" what God is doing in that person's life and encourage them to follow Jesus with vigor and confidence.
When we humbly come alongside our school friends we are doing ministry in a way that reflects the One who sent us.
That is how it is with us in the work of raising funds for our school. Our "stewarding" the steward is to be done in a way that meets each school friend where they are. Think of the different types of friends we interact with.
We will work with current parents, alumni parents, alumni, other relatives, and donors with other connections; a large range of ages and maturity. Each one is on his or her own walk with the Lord; Christian maturity occurs at different rates and on different paths.
By the way, all of this applies to you and me, too.
Some are still wrestling the ownership issue: "I earned it, didn't I?"
Some believers understand ownership, but worry about the future expenses.
Some have thought about legacy, but don't know how to think about leaving money to their children.
Some need some guidance about the tithe and storehouse giving.
Many (most?) of us need to understand and believe the basic stewardship message: God has given many good gifts (material, time, and talent) which reflect God's glory and are to be used for Kingdom purposes. This can be a huge stumbling block, but it must be addressed before we may propose sacrificial giving.
Since most fund raisers are not trained in the "ministry" of stewardship, we tend to resort to shotgun techniques of raising funds; shoot big blasts into the air and see how many birds (coins and bills) fall to the ground.
Broad-based awareness raising (letters, events, etc.) is critical for gaining understanding about the school, but it is not generally where and how the money comes in. The people who send gifts are motivated by something else and our work (calling) is to "get in on" what God is doing in that person's life and encourage them to follow Jesus with vigor and confidence.
When we humbly come alongside our school friends we are doing ministry in a way that reflects the One who sent us.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Encourage each other, please
Five times in Paul's letters to the church at Thessalonica we see the word encourage. Here are a few:
1 Thessalonians 3:2
We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
2 Thessalonians 2:1617
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope,encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
Someone you know needs a to hear a good word from you today. Not just a saccharine greeting, but a specific, "this is what I appreciate about you."
Look out the window and think about a donor or a colleague that would be blessed with your thoughtfulness and care. Then, call or write - don't put it off.
With the work we are called to do, even (especially?) the workers could use some words of encouragement.
While you're at it, drop me a line at hnaylor@tca-pa.org and tell me how the blog is hitting you. I want to be sure these "hits and missives" are hitting the mark.
Be blessed and be a blessing!
Harold
1 Thessalonians 3:2
We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
2 Thessalonians 2:1617
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope,encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
Someone you know needs a to hear a good word from you today. Not just a saccharine greeting, but a specific, "this is what I appreciate about you."
Look out the window and think about a donor or a colleague that would be blessed with your thoughtfulness and care. Then, call or write - don't put it off.
With the work we are called to do, even (especially?) the workers could use some words of encouragement.
While you're at it, drop me a line at hnaylor@tca-pa.org and tell me how the blog is hitting you. I want to be sure these "hits and missives" are hitting the mark.
Be blessed and be a blessing!
Harold
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Celebrate the non-cash gifts
Romans 12:4-8
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,
so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.
If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;
if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
God has blessed our schools with "quiet angels", those saints who volunteer and do work that is rarely recognized. Most of these folks don't want recognition; they do what they do for the Lord and to bless the school that they love.
I suggest that you take some time out of your schedule to thank and celebrate the good gifts that are being used for the Kingdom building at your school. This is an important stewardship effort even if it is difficult to value in dollars.
As you are having these discussions, why not ask a few questions? In your own words, of course.
1. How or why did you come to volunteer?
2. What is it about the school that keeps you coming back? This is especially true of the volunteers who no longer have children in the school.
3. Are we utilizing your gifts as you would like for us to?
4. Are there other areas of the school in which you would like to participate?
5. Are we grateful receivers of your generous giving?
And, praise the Lord with them that He has moved in the hearts of His people to steward this portion of their gifts.
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,
so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.
If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;
if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
God has blessed our schools with "quiet angels", those saints who volunteer and do work that is rarely recognized. Most of these folks don't want recognition; they do what they do for the Lord and to bless the school that they love.
I suggest that you take some time out of your schedule to thank and celebrate the good gifts that are being used for the Kingdom building at your school. This is an important stewardship effort even if it is difficult to value in dollars.
As you are having these discussions, why not ask a few questions? In your own words, of course.
1. How or why did you come to volunteer?
2. What is it about the school that keeps you coming back? This is especially true of the volunteers who no longer have children in the school.
3. Are we utilizing your gifts as you would like for us to?
4. Are there other areas of the school in which you would like to participate?
5. Are we grateful receivers of your generous giving?
And, praise the Lord with them that He has moved in the hearts of His people to steward this portion of their gifts.
Monday, March 9, 2009
"Teacher, be teachable"
Proverbs 11:2 "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom."
Ph. 2:3 "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves."
One of the problems that I have observed is that many of us operate as Lone Rangers in the fund raising world. We reason that:
"I'm paid to do this, so it's my job"
"No one else knows how the development function works (in my unique situation), so there is no one who can really help."
"I have volunteers who help with mailings and things - isn't this asking?"
It seems that we administrators have a strange sense of pride when it comes to asking for real help and wisdom. Some of us have the need to "go it alone" in our work believing this is our calling or burden. Or, maybe we are already overloaded. I have been told that "I don't have time for advice; I can't get everything done as it is!"
The foolish person does not know what they do not know and, hence, plunges ahead without the benefit of wisdom from others.
The wise person knows what they don't know and and he or she has great respect for the wisdom and insight of others.
Are you known for being teachable? Do you seek advice from others? A wise friend once reminded me that Jesus taught in parables or stories and that our communications should include stories of how God has blessed families through our school. That was great advice; ever since we try to tell stories of the consequences of a Christian education and to dwell less on our particular need. Our donors, like us, relate to stories.
Whether you seek advice from someone within the school, or a donor, or a peer, make sure you are doing so with a humble heart and that you are earnestly seeking advice, not just using the conversation as a pretense for some other objective. God knows and sees the condition of our hearts.
As we teach others about stewardship we need to be seeking the Lord's wisdom in every aspect of our work. It may mean putting down the mailing and picking up the phone.
Ph. 2:3 "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves."
One of the problems that I have observed is that many of us operate as Lone Rangers in the fund raising world. We reason that:
"I'm paid to do this, so it's my job"
"No one else knows how the development function works (in my unique situation), so there is no one who can really help."
"I have volunteers who help with mailings and things - isn't this asking?"
It seems that we administrators have a strange sense of pride when it comes to asking for real help and wisdom. Some of us have the need to "go it alone" in our work believing this is our calling or burden. Or, maybe we are already overloaded. I have been told that "I don't have time for advice; I can't get everything done as it is!"
The foolish person does not know what they do not know and, hence, plunges ahead without the benefit of wisdom from others.
The wise person knows what they don't know and and he or she has great respect for the wisdom and insight of others.
Are you known for being teachable? Do you seek advice from others? A wise friend once reminded me that Jesus taught in parables or stories and that our communications should include stories of how God has blessed families through our school. That was great advice; ever since we try to tell stories of the consequences of a Christian education and to dwell less on our particular need. Our donors, like us, relate to stories.
Whether you seek advice from someone within the school, or a donor, or a peer, make sure you are doing so with a humble heart and that you are earnestly seeking advice, not just using the conversation as a pretense for some other objective. God knows and sees the condition of our hearts.
As we teach others about stewardship we need to be seeking the Lord's wisdom in every aspect of our work. It may mean putting down the mailing and picking up the phone.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
A "big picture" for Christian school development
This may be helpful as a starting point to help with the overall focus we need to develop and maintain.
Our Philosophy of Development
-----------------------------
We start with the knowledge that God owns it all. (1), (2)
We are to honor the Lord with our lives, including our material possessions.
We believe that generous giving is the Biblical norm, not the exception (3).
We challenge donors to give liberally to Kingdom causes. We urge donors to do prayerful giving to the school(and to God’s work in other ministry), not for tax benefits or for personal recognition.
Lastly, while we know that giving is commanded in the scriptures, it is also a joyous act (4). Therefore, the gift to the school provides a two-fold blessing, to both the giver and the school as a recipient.
We believe that giving to the school puts a great responsibility on us as a school as a recipient of donors’ giving.
1. We will work to make the school worthy of Kingdom investment
2. We scrutinize our message and methodologies against not what works, but against God-honoring principles
3. We will also practice integrity and make ourselves accountable to external examination through full annual accounting audits
Finally, we are to have a good testimony in the community we serve, to the believer and especially the unbeliever so that they would seek the reason for our faith and have a desire to know our Savior Jesus personally.
Mission
-------
The mission of the school’s advancement function is to raise awareness of and resources for this Christian school that equips students with skills to pursue excellence through Christ in every area of life.
Vision
-------
The vision of the advancement function is to:
1. Bless the donor in their faith walk
2. Encourage and educate the community in Biblical generosity
3. Provide resources to the school so that it can execute its mission with excellence
4. Demonstrate the school’s value to the community (including the churches from which we have students)
5. Provide resources that would bless other Christian schools
(1) 1 Chr. 29:11 "Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all."
(2) 1 Chr. 29:12 "Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. 13 Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. 14 "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand."
(3) Matt. 6:19-20 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
(4) 2 Cor. 9:7 “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Our Philosophy of Development
-----------------------------
We start with the knowledge that God owns it all. (1), (2)
We are to honor the Lord with our lives, including our material possessions.
We believe that generous giving is the Biblical norm, not the exception (3).
We challenge donors to give liberally to Kingdom causes. We urge donors to do prayerful giving to the school(and to God’s work in other ministry), not for tax benefits or for personal recognition.
Lastly, while we know that giving is commanded in the scriptures, it is also a joyous act (4). Therefore, the gift to the school provides a two-fold blessing, to both the giver and the school as a recipient.
We believe that giving to the school puts a great responsibility on us as a school as a recipient of donors’ giving.
1. We will work to make the school worthy of Kingdom investment
2. We scrutinize our message and methodologies against not what works, but against God-honoring principles
3. We will also practice integrity and make ourselves accountable to external examination through full annual accounting audits
Finally, we are to have a good testimony in the community we serve, to the believer and especially the unbeliever so that they would seek the reason for our faith and have a desire to know our Savior Jesus personally.
Mission
-------
The mission of the school’s advancement function is to raise awareness of and resources for this Christian school that equips students with skills to pursue excellence through Christ in every area of life.
Vision
-------
The vision of the advancement function is to:
1. Bless the donor in their faith walk
2. Encourage and educate the community in Biblical generosity
3. Provide resources to the school so that it can execute its mission with excellence
4. Demonstrate the school’s value to the community (including the churches from which we have students)
5. Provide resources that would bless other Christian schools
(1) 1 Chr. 29:11 "Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all."
(2) 1 Chr. 29:12 "Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. 13 Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. 14 "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand."
(3) Matt. 6:19-20 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
(4) 2 Cor. 9:7 “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Monday, March 2, 2009
"Dance with the one who brung you"
In the South, there is familiar expression about dancing - "Dance with the one who brung you". Up north, we might say, "Be satisfied with what you have and use it fully."
This is not a new expression - and is not even a new concept. Paul wrote about this back in the first century as he addressed the church at Corinth.
From 1 Corinthians 12:12-22
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.
For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
Now the body is not made up of one part but of many.
If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body.
And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body.
If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?
But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.
If they were all one part, where would the body be?
As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!"
On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,
Whether you are new or old to the development/advancement work, God had gifted you with special gifts that are ideally suited to the work before you.
You may be one who can organize events - this is critical for community relations which can lead to personal relations
You may be gifted in graphic and other communications - use these for brilliant printed pieces and visualization on your web site
Gifted writer? Brochures and foundation proposals need these skills
Came from the business world? Use your understanding to develop special outside relationships.
Ministry minded? Connect first with local pastors who need to be appreciated and cared for.
I hope you see that whatever talent you have is useful for the Kingdom and should be the "lead dog" in your advancement work. So, be confident in the Lord and watch Him use you in a special way. The talents that you do not yet have can be developed - find someone with those and have him or her mentor you.
This is not a new expression - and is not even a new concept. Paul wrote about this back in the first century as he addressed the church at Corinth.
From 1 Corinthians 12:12-22
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.
For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
Now the body is not made up of one part but of many.
If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body.
And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body.
If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?
But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.
If they were all one part, where would the body be?
As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!"
On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,
Whether you are new or old to the development/advancement work, God had gifted you with special gifts that are ideally suited to the work before you.
You may be one who can organize events - this is critical for community relations which can lead to personal relations
You may be gifted in graphic and other communications - use these for brilliant printed pieces and visualization on your web site
Gifted writer? Brochures and foundation proposals need these skills
Came from the business world? Use your understanding to develop special outside relationships.
Ministry minded? Connect first with local pastors who need to be appreciated and cared for.
I hope you see that whatever talent you have is useful for the Kingdom and should be the "lead dog" in your advancement work. So, be confident in the Lord and watch Him use you in a special way. The talents that you do not yet have can be developed - find someone with those and have him or her mentor you.
So, how and where do I start?
"The problem with this transformational approach is that, while I understand and agree with the biblical stewardship model, I don't know where to start."
Here is an approach that may help but, remember that this must be from your heart; otherwise it will come across as a formula or technique.
1. Lead with a heart of joy, gratitude and prayer. 1 Thes. 5:16-18 "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." Thank the Lord for your special work and for the giving community that is part of the school.
2. Get a list of your board members (both current and former) and have an in-person conversation with each that goes something like this:
- thank you for your stewardship to our school - you have given time, talent and material resources
- how did you get involved with the school in the beginning? What did see or believe that brought you?
- what do you see today that keeps you involved? Are there any special aspects or programs that feel really connected to?
- what do see that we need to do to better fulfill the Lord's mission for the school? What does our "future state" look like?
- do you or have you considered what you might be called to do from here on? What gifts do you have that you are being lead to share with the school? How can I assist?
- how can I do what I do in a way that conveys blessing and encouragement rather than just asking for a handout or looking at you as only a "giving unit"?
3. Repeat the above with long-term and large donors, those who have a major stake in the school.
Here is an approach that may help but, remember that this must be from your heart; otherwise it will come across as a formula or technique.
1. Lead with a heart of joy, gratitude and prayer. 1 Thes. 5:16-18 "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." Thank the Lord for your special work and for the giving community that is part of the school.
2. Get a list of your board members (both current and former) and have an in-person conversation with each that goes something like this:
- thank you for your stewardship to our school - you have given time, talent and material resources
- how did you get involved with the school in the beginning? What did see or believe that brought you?
- what do you see today that keeps you involved? Are there any special aspects or programs that feel really connected to?
- what do see that we need to do to better fulfill the Lord's mission for the school? What does our "future state" look like?
- do you or have you considered what you might be called to do from here on? What gifts do you have that you are being lead to share with the school? How can I assist?
- how can I do what I do in a way that conveys blessing and encouragement rather than just asking for a handout or looking at you as only a "giving unit"?
3. Repeat the above with long-term and large donors, those who have a major stake in the school.
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