The Christian Fundraiser - A Conduit of Blessing

The best fundraisers I know don't believe that they actually raise funds. They don't even believe they raise "friends."

The best fundraisers are not really fundraisers at all, but they are very capable messengers for biblical stewardship and conduits of blessing.

As messengers, the fundraiser (or development or stewardship officer) effectively communicates Biblical precepts about the management of time, talent and treasure.

As conduits of blessing, then, we are merely the "catcher" or "receiver" of gifts, only to have those gifts applied to Kingdom work on behalf of the donor who contributed what the Lord gives him first.

This week, the headmaster and I had the privilege of informing a school parent that her daughter was selected to receive a scholarship funded by a donor who was looking for a promising student to sponsor and whose family needed some financial assistance.

The mom was overwhelmed and joyously received the gift. She thanked us profusely. We said, "don't thank us" and we reminded her that we all should thank our Lord for His provisions of such a donor and for motivating the family to give generously.

Being God's ambassadors for generous giving is a good role for us. When, the gifts come in, we need to step aside and let the true Giver be thanked for the gifts we receive.

Donor Growth and Maturity - Generous Giver and Mature Steward

Wes Wilmer in his book God and Your Stuff: The Vital Link Between Your Possessions and Your Soul describes the stages of maturity of the donor as he or she grows closer and closer to the mind of God in terms of possessions and giving.The six categories:

1. Imitator


2. Modeler


3. Conformer


4. Individual


5. Generous Giver


6. Mature Steward

Today, we will review the last two stages: The Generous Giver and The Mature Steward

Stage 5: Generous Giver

Faith Characteristics: Grasps the main ideas of an individualized faith as well as individualized practices. Becomes interested in developing the faith of others.

Evidence in Use of Possessions: Recognition that all one owns is from God. Begins to give of one's own initiative, rather than out of obligation or routine. Derives joy from giving.

My thoughts: I hope this is where most of us stewardship officers find ourselves. These donors inspire us and quietly set a high standard for others to see. They are willing to talk about and encourage stewardship, not to boast, but to desire that others experience the sheer joy of giving.

Stage 6: Mature Steward

Faith Characteristics: Little regard for self. Focuses on God and then on others. Free from man made rules.

Evidence in Use of Possessions: Recognizes the role of a faithful steward of God's possessions. More concerned with treasures in heaven than on earth. Content with daily provisions.

My thoughts: Greater humility and dependence on the Lord for every breath, meal, and a place to sleep. Quiet and centered on Christ. His or her life is an open hand of blessings received and shared with others.

As we see ourselves on this continuum, let us pray that we are seen less and Christ is seen more. The goal and end product of this stewardship is the freedom to worship the Savior with every fiber of our being

Donor Growth and Maturity - Conformer and Individual

Wes Wilmer in his book God and Your Stuff: The Vital Link Between Your Possessions and Your Soul describes the stages of maturity of the donor as he or she grows closer and closer to the mind of God in terms of possessions and giving.

The six categories:

1. Imitator


2. Modeler


3. Conformer


4. Individual


5. Generous Giver


6. Mature Steward

Today, we will review the middle two stages:

Stage 3: Conformer

Faith Characteristics: Faith becomes a basis for love, acceptance,and identity; involves most aspects of life and is shaped mainly by relationships. Faith does not yet form a cohesive "philosophy of life."

Evidence in Use of Possessions: Gives because it is the thing to do. Like recognition, tax benefits, and other personal gain from giving.

My thoughts: Again, this individual would rather be on the "right" side than run the risk of being wrong. The emphasis is still on "me" on not others. A measured approach.

Stage4: Individual

Faith Characteristics: Begins to "own" one's faith. Faith is less defined by others as one becomes able to personally examine and question one's beliefs.

Evidence in Use of Possessions: Starts to give in proportion to the what God has given. Danger of becoming prideful regarding giving or giving for the wrong motives. Wonders why others don't give more.

My thoughts: "Gets it" individually, but is still looking around at others. Knows where gifts comes from and acknowledges that, but can get become a little judgemental toward others.

As you can imagine the last installment will describe the kinds of donors we all seek to be. Before we assume that we have "arrived", let us bow our knees and ask what more we need to learn.

Growing and Maturing Donors - Imitators and Modelers

Last week I met with a generous donor who loves the school. Instead of asking for a gift or a pledge, I asked him to tell me about why he gives. He said, "No one has ever asked me that before".

Questions like this and others (see the previous blog post) cause our donor friends to think more deeply. His answer reflected his recognition of God's blessings and his passion for the kind of education his children are receiving.

Today I want to share the wonderful work of Wes Wilmer, V.P of ECFA and author of God and Your Stuff: The Vital Link Between Your Possession and Your Soul. In it, he describes the correlation of soul maturity and use of possessions in six stages.

1. Imitator


2. Modeler


3. Conformer


4. Individual


5. Generous Giver


6. Mature Steward

Stage 1: Imitator

• Faith Characteristics: Like a child, is marked by imagination and influenced by stories and examples of others


• Evidence in Use of Possessions: Is able to mimic the examples of others in giving when shown or instructed.


• My thoughts: This is where we find the new donor, not really sure about the theology or rationale for giving, but knows instinctively that it's right thing to do.

Stage 2: Modeler

• Faith Characteristics: Takes beliefs and moral rules literally. Perception of God is largely formed by friends.


• Evidence in Use of Possessions: Gives specifically when given an example to follow.


• My thoughts: These donors are the "go to" who don't need an explanation, they just need the destination and some guidance in how and how much to give.

Most of our donors will fall into these two categories. Later this week we will discuss the other four so we can learn how the Lord grows us in our giving maturity.

Asking Donors the Money Questions

Donors, like all followers of Christ, are in different stages in their walk and maturity about money. Some are very new (childlike in the scriptures) and they are imitators in that they follow the example of others.

We will explore these levels in a subsequent blog when we look at the good work of Wes Wilmer.

In the meantime, however, we meet with people and we should have some basic conversations about money with them. We can and should ask:

• "Do you give to your local church?"
  


• "What other ministries or causes do you contribute to?" and "What is it about their mission and work that causes you to support them?"


• "What motivates you to give so faithfully?"

These are not asked to manipulate or to paint someone into a corner; it is so we can get to know them so that we have our conversation at the right level. Again, we cannot give milk drinkers solid food until they are ready.

Remember, Jesus was unashamed to talk about giving as He "sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put," in Mark 12:41-44, in order to teach his disciples the difference between giving out of one's surplus and giving sacrificially. He was not timid talking about money and giving, and neither should we be. Jesus loved asking questions, not because He did not know the answers, but to get people to think.

It comes back to our motivation. Are we asking these to induce shame or guilt? Or, we are asking so that our donor friends think through the rationale for why they do what they do?

The way we think about donors impacts how we pray for and encourage them.

Lord, give me your heart for this fellow saint. Amen.

The Stewardship of Wisdom

Proverbs 13:10
"Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice"

"No one can give me advice about this problem; our school is unique!" So goes the excuse of those who refuse to admit their shortcomings while wandering in the development wilderness.

I believe that almost one out of every two or three schools is going through some sort of transition or organizational challenge. Some of these are routine and can be handled with internal resources. Some, though, are thornier and could be helped by having perspective and wisdom from others not directly involved.

Sadly, I see schools wrestle unnecessarily rather than "hang out the dirty laundry" for all the world to see.

Isn't it interesting that we want donors to come to us for advice in how much and where to give their money, but we wouldn't ask them to help us sort out a complicated issue in our own work?

We are focusing effort now on future plans for the school. It's not quite strategic planning (though planning is involved) and not a capital campaign (though it involves raising funds); it is something a little different. A few weeks ago I was frustrated and felt totally incapable of knowing the next step. God, in His abundant provision, put several wise people in the meeting who helped clarify the issue and map out the next step or two.

If we are serious about raising time, talent and treasure, it may mean that we have to genuinely solicit advice from our friends who can (and want to) help. It means that we cannot use the meeting as a subterfuge for an ask or to gain their favor for a future gift.

It means that we say "you have some wisdom and perspective that could be helpful in this situation". Then, we stay quiet, listen and pray through what we heard.

Donors have much to contribute; let's make sure we ask for the wisdom gift to be shared as well.

A Generous Donor with a Bias for Action

Last week I met with a major donor to the school. This was our first sit down meeting where we were able to get beyond the quick conversations in the normal course of school events.

I asked him to tell me his story about family, work, and his coming to Christ. As we discussed his work I asked him to tell me about his passions. "No one ever asks about my passions", he replied.

As we talked more, this man talked about a new and exciting ministry in which he and his church are involved. It is a ministry to homeless families that requires lots of hands-on time from the church that is working with that family for that week. My donor friend says this is good way of putting feet on his faith. Direct involvement, versus writing checks, engages us in a way that has the gospel penetrating hearts more deeply.

Knowing his bias for action allowed me to present an opportunity to take on ambassador role with the school. This role will allow him to use his communications skills and his passion for classical and Christian education.

Getting to know donors at the heart level does not require that we know them for a long time. It does require that we listen well and to ask permission to present some other ideas that could fit well with their skills and interests.

What happens next? We both go back and pray that the Holy Spirit clarifies and directs. Our objective is not to get every job filled with a good match, but to see the Kingdom expand as His saints take up the mantle of stewardship of everything He has entrusted to our care. Even our entire lives are not ours.

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." 1 Cor. 6:19-20.

A Generous Donor Dreams a Big Dream

Yesterday I got to visit with a donor who I've never met in person. He and his wife became major donors when they blessed the school with a gift of $1,000. As with almost every gift to the school I called to say thank you and to inquire as to what motivated this particular one. But, since we had not met in person, I asked for an breakfast appointment.

As we talked he told me why he and his wife were so pleased with the school and how the education provided the perfect incubator to develop their son spiritually, academically and relationally. He has just finished his first year of college and he is excelling there, too.

Given the impact that Tall Oaks education had on their son, they desire to help scholarship a student from a lower-income family who might not otherwise be able to come. They are particularly interested in inner city kids whose parents may have never considered this kind of school.

It gets better. Their really big idea is to have our suburban school mentor and nurture an inner-city Christian school that desires to become a premier academic institution. We only dreamed yesterday about what this could like and the resources that would be required, but it was an exciting conversation to be sure.

What is important is that this donor had the opportunity to "fly their dream" and to express their dedication for Christian education.

We are "donor disciplers" who are called to help God's people bring their best to His table.

The Legacy of Generous Giving

I am thankful for national Christian leaders like the National Christian Foundation (NCF) who helps donors with planned and other significant giving. What follows is compliments of NCF and reprinted with their permission.

According to a recent study by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, teenagers report that their parents are the biggest influence on whether they give their time or money to non-profit charities.

Do you know what teen givers say their parents do?

Here are the top ten parenting techniques that separate giving teens from non-giving teens, in their own words:

1. They explained how I can help other people by my actions.



2. They encouraged me to speak up in family discussions.



3. They spoke to me about the volunteering and giving they do.



4. They supported me on things I cared about.



5. They told me why they were proud when I did good things.



6. They encouraged me to be my own person.



7. They set goals for me to achieve.



8. They spoke to me about the way my actions made other people feel.



9. They taught me to always consider other people’s views.



10. They explained the importance of giving to others.

Even though we do not see a thread of Christian generosity in this list, imagine how much more potent this teaching can be when we tie it to the work of Christ on the cross as He purchased eternal life for us.

As we talk to our donor friends, here are two more questions we can pose: "How do you inculcate your generosity to your children? What are some of the disciplines that you employ to make giving a way of life and not just a grudging obligation?"

Generous Giving - the Story within the Story

2 Corinthians 8:1-5

"And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.

For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will."

Look at these poor people giving their money away - they even ask for the privilege of doing so! What did these Macedonians have that we don't have?

I think they asked the right question first. They did not ask "How much shall I give?", but must have realized that the preceding question "Who is the real owner of everything I have?". Maybe, the question is upstream from there. More foundational: "Who owns me?"

That's the real question we have to ask ourselves and our donor friends. We cannot meet with people and we beat around the bush to see how generous they are feeling before we do the "ask".

As I compiled the year-end statistics I learned that the Lord brought in almost 40% more than last year. As wonderful as this overall number is, there are wonderful stories behind this:

• The new family that didn't think they could afford the tuition and they gave a big gift


• The donor with no children but sees this school as critical for our area and wants to scholarship a student


• The non-Christian couple who loves our school and volunteers in many ways - they gave generously


• The grandparents who increased their giving by 40%

Each one of these is a reason to celebrate God's goodness. Let's make sure we don't lose these precious gems while we gaze at the whole jewelry case.