I Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
When you are not "on the clock" what kinds of things do you think about and discuss with others?
Here are a couple of approaches - neither describes anyone exactly, but they represent two tendencies or orientations.
"I'm a fundraiser or administrator all day long. I want to have some downtime with people and not have them see me as one-dimensional."
"Every day that God gives me I will proclaim His glory to anyone and everyone who gives me the opportunity to share the Good News and to encourage others to walk in the way."
As I grow older I realize that my interactions with people will not continue forever. This includes family, friends and strangers.
We stewardship officers have an obligation to be good stewards of our own time, talent and treasure. For many, we may have more time and talent than treasure. So, how will we spend these?
Are we still supposed to witness and encourage others in their "gift deployment" when we are on vacation? Is it presumptuous to believe that relatives and strangers want to discuss what is on our minds?
Here is a question that I have to ask myself to help me make the right decision, "If today was the last day I ever see this person, what do I want them to remember from our recent conversation?"
I think we have a special obligation to be "on call" everyday, ready to give the reason for our hope in Christ and why we do not fear the grave.
That does not necessarily mean that we are advocating for our school at every turn, but it does mean that we care enough for others that we want them to experience the grace of our Lord Jesus.
And, yes, you may be the bearer of that good news!
Go, be blessed, and be a blessing!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Matching up Gifts and Opportunities
Our role as stewardship officers is to encourage people to release their God-given gifts into Kingdom opportunities. We do this by helping people see how blessed they are and by reminding them of the biblical principle of generosity, that of joyous giving.
We can be of further assistance if we help them find just the right place for their gifts. In this way, the donor has a better connection to the help they are providing. It also shows that we are listening to and caring about the donor as individuals, not just lumping them into the giving "pot".
Here is an example that might help spur some new thought.
Tall Oaks has a Science Fair this week and the science teacher needs many judges so that every project is evaluated by three sets of eyes and ears. I saw this as a wonderful stewardship opportunity for my friends that have science and/or engineering backgrounds to come and share their talent with us. In doing so, they have a chance to see the school up close. We will welcome them with refreshments and collateral material about the school that they can take home.
Most of these have never seen the school; this will be their first exposure. Afterwards, I will call each friend to see how they viewed the experience and to see if there is any other interest in being involved.
Do you have art or music programs that can use the gifts of friends? In general we love to be seen as experts in our field and we can carve out some time to help a friend and support the next generation.
The same concept works for the library, information technology, sports, drama. The list goes on and on.
The blessing to the donor is that they get to extend themselves, working on something larger than he or she. These can be wonderful connections to lead people into greater service.
This week, we had a volunteer make a substantial financial commitment to the school. The volunteer had served the school for several years in a special area and now the Holy Spirit moved this couple to have their monetary wealth follow their wealth of talent.
If we can see our work as larger than (only) the raising of funds we are operating in the theater of whole life stewardship.
God, give us grace to see the big picture.
We can be of further assistance if we help them find just the right place for their gifts. In this way, the donor has a better connection to the help they are providing. It also shows that we are listening to and caring about the donor as individuals, not just lumping them into the giving "pot".
Here is an example that might help spur some new thought.
Tall Oaks has a Science Fair this week and the science teacher needs many judges so that every project is evaluated by three sets of eyes and ears. I saw this as a wonderful stewardship opportunity for my friends that have science and/or engineering backgrounds to come and share their talent with us. In doing so, they have a chance to see the school up close. We will welcome them with refreshments and collateral material about the school that they can take home.
Most of these have never seen the school; this will be their first exposure. Afterwards, I will call each friend to see how they viewed the experience and to see if there is any other interest in being involved.
Do you have art or music programs that can use the gifts of friends? In general we love to be seen as experts in our field and we can carve out some time to help a friend and support the next generation.
The same concept works for the library, information technology, sports, drama. The list goes on and on.
The blessing to the donor is that they get to extend themselves, working on something larger than he or she. These can be wonderful connections to lead people into greater service.
This week, we had a volunteer make a substantial financial commitment to the school. The volunteer had served the school for several years in a special area and now the Holy Spirit moved this couple to have their monetary wealth follow their wealth of talent.
If we can see our work as larger than (only) the raising of funds we are operating in the theater of whole life stewardship.
God, give us grace to see the big picture.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
A Reason to Give Generously
Philippians 4:10-19
I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.
Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need.
Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account.
I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Recently, my school had the kick-off of the Annual Fund campaign, a drive to raise $150,000. I had the privilege of inviting guests to consider a Kingdom investment into Tall Oaks Classical School ( http://www.talloaksclassicalschool.org/ ) that would impact the educational lives of hundreds of young people.
Armed with this superior training these young people go on to be witnesses for Christ in the many endeavors of their lives, professionally, in families, and in the community.
This argument for giving is the "value proposition" and it is good place to start as donors are considering where they should give.
It was and is freeing to be able to invite people to give because it is also good for them to give. I do not have to single-handedly raise the funds. The One who owns the cattle on a thousand hills will provide. That position allows us fundraisers to be grateful receivers of these gifts.
Paul is encouraging generous giving so that "it may be credited to their (heavenly) account". He knows from where his help comes and knows that his needs will be met.
How about our own school or ministry? Are we trusting the Lord to provide so that we can minister to others in the grace of giving? As we encourage our friends to give as they have been given we are helping them to become "conduits of blessing" where riches are passed through, not bottled up where they will become stagnant and useless.
Let's not let the calendar or fiscal year dictate how we interact with fellow believers. If we believe our theology about God's timing and His sovereignty we have the freedom to walk alongside and be the ministers of stewardship God has called us to be.
I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.
Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need.
Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account.
I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Recently, my school had the kick-off of the Annual Fund campaign, a drive to raise $150,000. I had the privilege of inviting guests to consider a Kingdom investment into Tall Oaks Classical School ( http://www.talloaksclassicalschool.org/ ) that would impact the educational lives of hundreds of young people.
Armed with this superior training these young people go on to be witnesses for Christ in the many endeavors of their lives, professionally, in families, and in the community.
This argument for giving is the "value proposition" and it is good place to start as donors are considering where they should give.
It was and is freeing to be able to invite people to give because it is also good for them to give. I do not have to single-handedly raise the funds. The One who owns the cattle on a thousand hills will provide. That position allows us fundraisers to be grateful receivers of these gifts.
Paul is encouraging generous giving so that "it may be credited to their (heavenly) account". He knows from where his help comes and knows that his needs will be met.
How about our own school or ministry? Are we trusting the Lord to provide so that we can minister to others in the grace of giving? As we encourage our friends to give as they have been given we are helping them to become "conduits of blessing" where riches are passed through, not bottled up where they will become stagnant and useless.
Let's not let the calendar or fiscal year dictate how we interact with fellow believers. If we believe our theology about God's timing and His sovereignty we have the freedom to walk alongside and be the ministers of stewardship God has called us to be.
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