Asking Stewardship Questions

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.