Matthew 13:3-9
Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed.
As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.
Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.
But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.
Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.
Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop--a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.
He who has ears, let him hear."
Development (or stewardship) officers have the opportunity to engage in powerful and revealing conversations with donors. Sadly, we tend to have only our own goals in mind and we miss the ministry potential.
What would happen if we were to ask questions that cause donors to think about their legacy before they think about their checkbook? Are there questions that can do this?
Bob Buford in the book Half Time www.HalfTime.org suggests, "What do I want to be remembered for?" This question moves from the current to the future and gets to the heart of who the donor is and wants to be.
Another question could be "If we were sitting three years from now, what would have to happen for you to say, 'This has been a significant time in my life; here is how my plans were realized'?"
One more question: "What do you want your epitaph to say?"
The follow up questions go something like this, "Is your personal mission and are your plans leading you to the conclusion that you desire?"
If not, then maybe we can be of some assistance in helping our friends with next steps. Even if we can't, just asking good questions in a non-judgemental way can be a blessing.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
The Millionaire (Donor) Next Door
In recent conversations with other development officers, I hear the this popular refrain, "If we just find the wealthy donor who is waiting for us to show up with our compelling story..."
It probably goes without saying, but this situation does not exist. Wealthy people who are ready to give are already seeking out opportunities to give and already have an idea of the kinds of ministries they are interested in supporting. Also, there are no wealthy people who feel guilty about their wealth such that they are looking for place to assuage their guilt.
Instead, I encourage ministry leaders to look at the people who are already involved with the ministry. Sadly, we assume that a person's current level of involvement is all there will ever be. So, a donor who volunteers a few hours per month and give $50 each month may not be on the radar screen.
This is a problem in several ways. First, we need to honor and thank everyone who God brings to support the ministry work. Secondly, we may be missing an opportunity to help those who are supportive to become even more engaged.
Here are four questions that might be helpful in going to the next level:
1. Tell me how you got involved with us? What was it that first attracted you to our work?
2. What do you see today? How is that different than what first got you involved?
3. What do you see for our future? In three years, what could see the Lord doing here?
4. How do you see yourself participating in this future? Are we utilizing your gifts as fully as we can? How can we do this better?
By "going deeper" with our donor-friends we are being good stewards of our time; not going after new donors while there are current friends we can get to know better.
Try this and let me know what you think of this approach.
It probably goes without saying, but this situation does not exist. Wealthy people who are ready to give are already seeking out opportunities to give and already have an idea of the kinds of ministries they are interested in supporting. Also, there are no wealthy people who feel guilty about their wealth such that they are looking for place to assuage their guilt.
Instead, I encourage ministry leaders to look at the people who are already involved with the ministry. Sadly, we assume that a person's current level of involvement is all there will ever be. So, a donor who volunteers a few hours per month and give $50 each month may not be on the radar screen.
This is a problem in several ways. First, we need to honor and thank everyone who God brings to support the ministry work. Secondly, we may be missing an opportunity to help those who are supportive to become even more engaged.
Here are four questions that might be helpful in going to the next level:
1. Tell me how you got involved with us? What was it that first attracted you to our work?
2. What do you see today? How is that different than what first got you involved?
3. What do you see for our future? In three years, what could see the Lord doing here?
4. How do you see yourself participating in this future? Are we utilizing your gifts as fully as we can? How can we do this better?
By "going deeper" with our donor-friends we are being good stewards of our time; not going after new donors while there are current friends we can get to know better.
Try this and let me know what you think of this approach.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Legacy - What we leave behind
Everyone of us has a legacy. Our legacy is what is left behind once we depart this earth. Many people when asked about legacy see it only in financial terms, such as "I am leaving my children and grandchildren with enough to have comfortable lives."
Recently, I had meetings with two men who are fairly generous. They are over 60 and, when asked about their mission or life goals, they were very unsure about what they should do. Hence, they don't invest their time and other resources with intensity or a plan.
The "legacy" question is right behind the "mission" question. I have been asking this question of (mostly) men 50 years old or older and getting these responses:
1. I never really thought about it - I guess to say that I lived a good and honorable life
2. To be known as someone who is kind and helpful, putting others' needs before my own
3. A wonderful marriage and children who know right from wrong
4. That people knew I was a Christian and lived my faith to the fullest
All of these are commendable, but they fall short of a mission or purpose that ties all this together. Without an idea of where we believe God is calling us, we cannot really answer the legacy question.
How can a development officer assist a donor-friend in this endeavor?
1. Pray that our friend is open to the Lord's leading
2. Connect them with an organization like http://www.halftime.org/ who helps people walk through these very questions
3. Ask ourselves whether we are doing what we do because of a call or vocational choice. How do we know? Would others agree that stewardship and discipleship are at the core of our being?
4. Love our donor-friends in ways that communicate that we are truly concerned about their total well-being, which includes helping them ask (and answer) "is that all there is?"
Lastly, remember to show grace to others as we ask these tough questions - we have witnessed the ultimate display of grace when we recognize what our Lord Jesus came to do for us.
Recently, I had meetings with two men who are fairly generous. They are over 60 and, when asked about their mission or life goals, they were very unsure about what they should do. Hence, they don't invest their time and other resources with intensity or a plan.
The "legacy" question is right behind the "mission" question. I have been asking this question of (mostly) men 50 years old or older and getting these responses:
1. I never really thought about it - I guess to say that I lived a good and honorable life
2. To be known as someone who is kind and helpful, putting others' needs before my own
3. A wonderful marriage and children who know right from wrong
4. That people knew I was a Christian and lived my faith to the fullest
All of these are commendable, but they fall short of a mission or purpose that ties all this together. Without an idea of where we believe God is calling us, we cannot really answer the legacy question.
How can a development officer assist a donor-friend in this endeavor?
1. Pray that our friend is open to the Lord's leading
2. Connect them with an organization like http://www.halftime.org/ who helps people walk through these very questions
3. Ask ourselves whether we are doing what we do because of a call or vocational choice. How do we know? Would others agree that stewardship and discipleship are at the core of our being?
4. Love our donor-friends in ways that communicate that we are truly concerned about their total well-being, which includes helping them ask (and answer) "is that all there is?"
Lastly, remember to show grace to others as we ask these tough questions - we have witnessed the ultimate display of grace when we recognize what our Lord Jesus came to do for us.
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