Raising Money or Raising Donors?

I want to commend The Sower http://sowerbook.org as one of the best primers for biblical fundraising. Authors Scott Rodin and Gary Hoag make the case and give the guidance for us to become ministers of stewardship, thereby raising "resourcers" for the Kingdom, not just the occasional gift.

The book's "visual" is the sower described in 1 Co. 4:6-9

"I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building."

In this passage we are reminded that we sow and cultivate in people's lives, and we may have the privilege of reaping, or receiving the gifts.

In taking this approach we need to remember two things:

1. Generosity is not something that we can effect; it is a heart change (transformation) by the Holy Spirit. Have said that, we can encourage generous living and generous giving, the seed that we are to sow.
2. We cannot (or should not) reduce our work to generating a cash transaction. That doesn't bless or grow the donor; nor does it stimulate biblical stewardship. We are to seek spiritual transformation, helping donors to become rich toward God.

Getting our minds and hearts oriented this way is difficult; and many boards struggle with the concept, too. But, ministry is hard work - if it were easy, we would do it in our own strength.