Proverbs 3:9-10
Honor the Lord with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
then your barn will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.”
Is this passage a program for how to gain more wealth? After all, it seems to indicate that if we give, we will get more (livestock and crops for the barn and wine for the vats).
Before we race out to tell donors that this giving formula is the answer to our scarcity, let’s go back and examine what is really in view here. There are two points that need to be made:
1. The purpose and receiver of our giving – the goal of giving is to honor the Lord. We are to give in recognition of and gratitude to the Giver of all good things.
God Himself has given all that we have. Of course, it all still belongs to Him; we are merely (but importantly) temporary custodians of good gifts. These gifts fall into 3 categories, time, talent and treasure, and we are obligated to use them for His glory.
2. The quality of these gifts – firstfruits indicates the highest quality (as in the first pressing of the olives).
When we, as fund raisers, interact with donors we are (generally) asking them for cash gifts.
However, their best gifts may not be in that particular currency (at that particular time). Maybe, we need to look more broadly and look at the firstfruits in other areas, such as a particular skill that can be useful for the work at the school.
How about each of us? We did not enter into this field because of the financial rewards; we did it because we believe the Lord called us to to help raise up resources through the ministry of stewardship.
You and I may have the “wealth” of encouragement, organization, writing, or serving in other ways. Are we using those as our own firstfruits for the Kingdom.
Let us pray that we are giving our very best as we ask others to do the same.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Re-thinking the Appeal Letter
1 Th. 5:11
"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
Appeal letters are an important aspect of the school's regular communication. They serve to help the donors understand the condition of the school and to see how they can support the work.
Sometimes the letters are not letters at all, they are appeals within a newsletter or some other publication of the school.
Either way, it is an important communication that merits tremendous thought and prayer ans we conceive them and send them out.
Too many schools send out desperate request for funds, warning readers of the dire results if we don't make a contribution and soon. Indeed, there are times when the urgent appeal is necessary, but these cannot be the regular approach to our partners. It is like the boy who cried "wolf"; we'll be ignored after awhile.
As we write these one-way communications, there are some things we need to keep in mind:
"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
Appeal letters are an important aspect of the school's regular communication. They serve to help the donors understand the condition of the school and to see how they can support the work.
Sometimes the letters are not letters at all, they are appeals within a newsletter or some other publication of the school.
Either way, it is an important communication that merits tremendous thought and prayer ans we conceive them and send them out.
Too many schools send out desperate request for funds, warning readers of the dire results if we don't make a contribution and soon. Indeed, there are times when the urgent appeal is necessary, but these cannot be the regular approach to our partners. It is like the boy who cried "wolf"; we'll be ignored after awhile.
As we write these one-way communications, there are some things we need to keep in mind:
- We are Christian ministries who depend on prayer and provisions of the Lord for our existence
- We serve at His pleasure for His purposes; we do not exist for our own good
- We must talk about the consequences of our work, the Christian worldview and how that manifests itself in the lives of young people who will be used as "change agents" for Christ
- Donor/friends should be invited in to participate with the school in its Kingdom work and to do so as they respond to God's call on their lives to be good stewards of their blessings
- We must be transparent in our financial status so that trust can be established. It may mean that we need an eternal validation of financial integrity, like the ECFA mark
- Lastly, keep in mind that neither the school, not the donor are the center of this communication; it is the Gospel and its transformational work in lives
As we plan and write these communications over the next several months, you may want to have them read by some friends who will give you honest feedback when you ask the question,
"Did this encourage you in you walk the King?"
Monday, June 22, 2009
No Competition in the Kingdom
In ECFA's Focus on Accountability newsletter (2nd Qtr. 2009) Shelley Cochrane lays out the case for why we should not be striving to improve our ministry resources at the expense of other Kingdom enterprises.
See the entire article here http://www.ecfa.org/HomePage.aspx
Here is the shorthand version of Shelley's writing:
See the entire article here http://www.ecfa.org/HomePage.aspx
Here is the shorthand version of Shelley's writing:
- Shortage of resources - "...the issue of competition is only a symptom of a much greater problem. Competition in the kingdom exposes the fact that Christians falsely believe that resources are finite and inherently limited".
- A God-centric model - "There is no evidence in God's word to indicate that God encourages competition to improve performance and motivation. A god-centric model is not based on a finite, closed system that encourages competition, but rather on the nature of God Himself. God is never confined to limitation of time and space."
- The Human Element: Faith in God's Supply - "God created people with the ability to learn and think and act. Very often accomplishes His will by enabling men and women to exercise their gifts and abilities to produce good results."
- So what does biblical stewardship look like? - "God resources what He initiates, and great care must be given to discerning the mind of Christ before creating an agenda that requires funding...When the believer crosses the line from fixating on the tangible to relinquishing himself into the hands of a fearsome God, this desperate dependence is the substance of faith."
- Collaboration not Competition - "Whether the structural competition that has crept into our ministries is accidental or intentional, a choice must be made. Every single servant of God must choose: Either God is abundantly able to meet every need according to His riches in Christ Jesus or there is a shrinking pie of resources and each ministry must get a piece before it's gone." Shelley goes on describe how we fundraisers can help others to be generous toward God. This can only come if we believe everything we are telling the donor.
There is also a collaboration that can (and should) happen between ministries. This cooperation is not just exchanging ideas (tips, tricks and techniques), but sharing stories of transformation that the Lord Himself orchestrates; He just lets us be used in the process.
Lastly, what a testimony we can have when we demonstrate love and appreciation for each other's kingdom work. Non-Christian can look at that see how we love and care for each other.
More Gospel grace in action!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
"Re-planning" your events for the year
1 Corinthians 10:23-31
"Everything is permissible"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is constructive.
Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.
Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, for, "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it."
If some unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience.
But if anyone says to you, "This has been offered in sacrifice," then do not eat it, both for the sake of the man who told you and for conscience' sake--the other man's conscience, I mean, not yours. For why should my freedom be judged by another's conscience?
If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
The summer is a time to look forward to the multitude of activities and events for the upcoming year. For many schools, these are the major milestones that must be completed to make the year a success (we'll talk what "success" is separately).
Hopefully, before we plan the events we have taken some time to reflect on the past year to see if they had the impact we thought they would.
As we get ready for the next year and the many things we do to promote the school and to raise awareness and funds for the school, I would suggest putting all of the events through a rigorous evaluation. This type of "re-planning" could help to focus and refine, or it could raise the question, "should we even do this again"?
Journalists have to answer the questions: who, what, when, why and how? It might be a good place to start with asking a few of these.
Who? What is the primary audience for the event? Who do we want to hear from afterwards that this was a wonderful experience?
Why? Is it for fund-raising, friend-raising, awareness-raising, or for fun? This is probably the most important question to answer because everything flows from the event's purpose. Work hard to clarify this. The clearer the goal, the more likely you will hit it.
What? Here we must keep in mind the admonition of scripture. To paraphrase Ro. 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the ways (event types) of this world, but be transformed (and transformational) by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. This means that we must remember that the Lord cares deeply about what we do to raise funds; don't fixate on what someone else did just because "it worked".
How? Our Lord deserves excellence in all things. While we have limited budgets, we should not do anything in a shoddy way that might confuse the beauty of the Gospel that is central to our work. It is better to do something small, but very well, than to have a large event that is poorly done, but gets the numbers.
When we ask these hard questions, God is pleased to re-focus our efforts and lead into paths (events) that honor Him while blessing donors and providing for the needs of the school.
"Everything is permissible"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is constructive.
Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.
Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, for, "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it."
If some unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience.
But if anyone says to you, "This has been offered in sacrifice," then do not eat it, both for the sake of the man who told you and for conscience' sake--the other man's conscience, I mean, not yours. For why should my freedom be judged by another's conscience?
If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
The summer is a time to look forward to the multitude of activities and events for the upcoming year. For many schools, these are the major milestones that must be completed to make the year a success (we'll talk what "success" is separately).
Hopefully, before we plan the events we have taken some time to reflect on the past year to see if they had the impact we thought they would.
As we get ready for the next year and the many things we do to promote the school and to raise awareness and funds for the school, I would suggest putting all of the events through a rigorous evaluation. This type of "re-planning" could help to focus and refine, or it could raise the question, "should we even do this again"?
Journalists have to answer the questions: who, what, when, why and how? It might be a good place to start with asking a few of these.
Who? What is the primary audience for the event? Who do we want to hear from afterwards that this was a wonderful experience?
Why? Is it for fund-raising, friend-raising, awareness-raising, or for fun? This is probably the most important question to answer because everything flows from the event's purpose. Work hard to clarify this. The clearer the goal, the more likely you will hit it.
What? Here we must keep in mind the admonition of scripture. To paraphrase Ro. 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the ways (event types) of this world, but be transformed (and transformational) by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. This means that we must remember that the Lord cares deeply about what we do to raise funds; don't fixate on what someone else did just because "it worked".
How? Our Lord deserves excellence in all things. While we have limited budgets, we should not do anything in a shoddy way that might confuse the beauty of the Gospel that is central to our work. It is better to do something small, but very well, than to have a large event that is poorly done, but gets the numbers.
When we ask these hard questions, God is pleased to re-focus our efforts and lead into paths (events) that honor Him while blessing donors and providing for the needs of the school.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
The Board's role in carrying the message
As much as each of us in the development / fundraising / stewardship world must be consistent and passionate about the organization we represent, the board should be even more so.
Board members are volunteers who have declared their love for the school and who have pledged to biblically lead the school for the glory of God. They are responsible for financial integrity (and for raising resources), setting the direction and implementing the vision of the school.
There are these and other explicit duties required of each board member. However, there is another one, to give the school its passion and its flavor.
In this role the board prays that that Lord is guiding their steps and giving each leader their own marching orders about how He wants him or her to represent the school to the community (both internal and external).
Here is an opportunity for each one who has been called to leadership to ask the Lord to bring to mind what is special or particular to their contribution. As the stewardship/development professional we can assist in that by literally re-visiting each board member to see where they are in their thinking for the next year.
Board members are vital parts of the stewardship/advancement/development effort. The vision and mission of the school is developed and protected by this valuable consistency. They are also "amplifiers" of stewardship message of caring for our donors. Plus, they and the administration are the most visible ambassadors for the school.
There are two valuable by-products of connecting with board members at the beginning of the new school year. Unity of purpose and message is one. The other is an opportunity for the board member to publicly declare their support for the stewardship effort, which is an "all hands on deck" work of the school.
Board members are volunteers who have declared their love for the school and who have pledged to biblically lead the school for the glory of God. They are responsible for financial integrity (and for raising resources), setting the direction and implementing the vision of the school.
There are these and other explicit duties required of each board member. However, there is another one, to give the school its passion and its flavor.
In this role the board prays that that Lord is guiding their steps and giving each leader their own marching orders about how He wants him or her to represent the school to the community (both internal and external).
Here is an opportunity for each one who has been called to leadership to ask the Lord to bring to mind what is special or particular to their contribution. As the stewardship/development professional we can assist in that by literally re-visiting each board member to see where they are in their thinking for the next year.
Board members are vital parts of the stewardship/advancement/development effort. The vision and mission of the school is developed and protected by this valuable consistency. They are also "amplifiers" of stewardship message of caring for our donors. Plus, they and the administration are the most visible ambassadors for the school.
There are two valuable by-products of connecting with board members at the beginning of the new school year. Unity of purpose and message is one. The other is an opportunity for the board member to publicly declare their support for the stewardship effort, which is an "all hands on deck" work of the school.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Raising the "talent" in time, talent, and treasure
The Lord has "resourced" His children with giftedness in these three areas, time, talent, and treasure.
Time and treasure are easy to get a handle on. We have our volunteers who do jobs that we would otherwise have to pay for, thereby saving real money and building community at the same time. We also know treasure, for that is the "currency" by which fund-raising is measured.
But, what about the talent? Let me illustrate in a story that is just beginning, but could be one of these "bi-lateral blessings" where both the school and the donor experience receive blessing.
I had a meeting recently with a friend who is all for Christian education, both as a parent and as a former employee of a Christian school. He is now a free agent and seeking God's leading for his next assignment.
While I knew some of his talents and gifts I discovered more as we talked. In this discussion we explored possibilities where the students could benefit from these skills - if not now, then maybe in the future.
This fall we will have an opportunity to explore the matching of school needs with these Kingdom resources. Not once did we discuss a financial contribution. It was not the time and it would have cheapened our interaction.
This kind of "prospecting" can unearth some wonderful treasure if we are just willing to look for gold in all its forms.
But I also reminded that I am serving my friend as I help him find ways to serve the King.
Time and treasure are easy to get a handle on. We have our volunteers who do jobs that we would otherwise have to pay for, thereby saving real money and building community at the same time. We also know treasure, for that is the "currency" by which fund-raising is measured.
But, what about the talent? Let me illustrate in a story that is just beginning, but could be one of these "bi-lateral blessings" where both the school and the donor experience receive blessing.
I had a meeting recently with a friend who is all for Christian education, both as a parent and as a former employee of a Christian school. He is now a free agent and seeking God's leading for his next assignment.
While I knew some of his talents and gifts I discovered more as we talked. In this discussion we explored possibilities where the students could benefit from these skills - if not now, then maybe in the future.
This fall we will have an opportunity to explore the matching of school needs with these Kingdom resources. Not once did we discuss a financial contribution. It was not the time and it would have cheapened our interaction.
This kind of "prospecting" can unearth some wonderful treasure if we are just willing to look for gold in all its forms.
But I also reminded that I am serving my friend as I help him find ways to serve the King.
Monday, June 8, 2009
The Development Year in Review - How was it?
When we think of this past year, or are asked about it by peers or managers, our responses might be along these lines:
1. We raised __% of our annual fund goal
2. We had these activities or events that involved these constituents
3. We produced this brochure, or video, or improved the web site
4. We raised foundation money amounting to __
5. This % of our parents participated in the annual fund
Why do we describe our work this way? I suggest that it is because these are tangible measures of "performance" against a particular goal. And, none of these descriptors are wrong; they are valuable metrics. The problem is that they don't tell the whole story as I described in my last blog.
Try this. Call three or four donor/friends who you have had the most interaction with this year and ask them to evaluate your work. Listen to what they say and see how they describe you. I hope you hear something like this.
This is not to boast, but it is to show forth our Lord's mighty hand in changing hearts. Two weeks ago a donor/friend said to me, "Harold, had it not been for our interactions and your challenge to give generously to the Lord, I would have not known to do it".
By God's grace this man has joyfully increased his giving ten-fold from where he was before. The amounts are not important; the growing in grace is.
God created us, Jesus saved us, and the Spirit lives in us so that we can reflect (show forth) His glory. That is to say that we may need to evaluate or measure our performance in non-traditional ways.
This is why I suggest that Christian development officers have a ministerial orientation. If not, then we simply do what the non-Christian world does and see how much we can extract from folks that "have plenty".
The One who has plenty owns it all (cattle and hills, right?) and He will give it to our schools in response to our faithfulness to Him.
To "summarize", don't leave out the choicest morsels from your year-end review, even if you cannot put a number on them.
1. We raised __% of our annual fund goal
2. We had these activities or events that involved these constituents
3. We produced this brochure, or video, or improved the web site
4. We raised foundation money amounting to __
5. This % of our parents participated in the annual fund
Why do we describe our work this way? I suggest that it is because these are tangible measures of "performance" against a particular goal. And, none of these descriptors are wrong; they are valuable metrics. The problem is that they don't tell the whole story as I described in my last blog.
Try this. Call three or four donor/friends who you have had the most interaction with this year and ask them to evaluate your work. Listen to what they say and see how they describe you. I hope you hear something like this.
This is not to boast, but it is to show forth our Lord's mighty hand in changing hearts. Two weeks ago a donor/friend said to me, "Harold, had it not been for our interactions and your challenge to give generously to the Lord, I would have not known to do it".
By God's grace this man has joyfully increased his giving ten-fold from where he was before. The amounts are not important; the growing in grace is.
God created us, Jesus saved us, and the Spirit lives in us so that we can reflect (show forth) His glory. That is to say that we may need to evaluate or measure our performance in non-traditional ways.
This is why I suggest that Christian development officers have a ministerial orientation. If not, then we simply do what the non-Christian world does and see how much we can extract from folks that "have plenty".
The One who has plenty owns it all (cattle and hills, right?) and He will give it to our schools in response to our faithfulness to Him.
To "summarize", don't leave out the choicest morsels from your year-end review, even if you cannot put a number on them.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Trusting and expecting
Proverbs 3:1-6
My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
In our work we have to trust. This is more than the declaration that God is in control in the overarching sense. Of course, that is true, but we cannot stop there.
Trust is also very personal, especially in the development and stewardship world. Are we really willing to trust the Holy Spirit to go before us and prepare the hearts of the people we speak with? If so, we can confidently and boldly describe our mission, hear the heart of the donor and know with assurance that God's Will will be done.
At the end of the fiscal year, we may come up "short" in terms of our monetary goal (especially by the end of June), but our Lord is not bound by our schedule or financial targets. Think back on the real fruit of your efforts, those "saints" who were encouraged that the school exists and who appreciate the education you provide. Pray that the Lord would prosper and move in their hearts so they can act on the desire to invest in this Kingdom work.
That, I think, is trusting and expecting.
By the way, if you have gotten this far, I can report that the Lord has "re-located" me to a new Christian school, Tall Oaks Classical School in Newark, DE. My title will be Director of Stewardship and my role will be to:
Connect the PASSIONS of God's people with the PROVISIONS He has supplied to accomplish Kingdom PURPOSES.
Be a blessing!
My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
In our work we have to trust. This is more than the declaration that God is in control in the overarching sense. Of course, that is true, but we cannot stop there.
Trust is also very personal, especially in the development and stewardship world. Are we really willing to trust the Holy Spirit to go before us and prepare the hearts of the people we speak with? If so, we can confidently and boldly describe our mission, hear the heart of the donor and know with assurance that God's Will will be done.
At the end of the fiscal year, we may come up "short" in terms of our monetary goal (especially by the end of June), but our Lord is not bound by our schedule or financial targets. Think back on the real fruit of your efforts, those "saints" who were encouraged that the school exists and who appreciate the education you provide. Pray that the Lord would prosper and move in their hearts so they can act on the desire to invest in this Kingdom work.
That, I think, is trusting and expecting.
By the way, if you have gotten this far, I can report that the Lord has "re-located" me to a new Christian school, Tall Oaks Classical School in Newark, DE. My title will be Director of Stewardship and my role will be to:
Connect the PASSIONS of God's people with the PROVISIONS He has supplied to accomplish Kingdom PURPOSES.
Be a blessing!
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