Saving Your Way to Prosperity

I know a company that was very good at centralizing common functions (accounting, personnel, etc.) between business units so that it could wring out redundancies; a practice also known as gaining synergies. This practice works for a period of time as the head counts and the corresponding costs are reduced. After awhile, the business must grow on its own merits to stay competitive.

Christian schools and other ministries have leaders who have business backgrounds and, when the financial times get difficult, tend to move quickly to the "slash expenses" mode to balance the budget.

Cutting expenses is easier and faster than raising funds or improving the "product". However, when we reduce expenses we are also eliminating some of the program or capabilities that caused people to come to the school in the first place. After all, we didn't intentionally hire non-productive overhead just so that it could be eliminated when the economic times get tough.

Here are a few questions that you might ask as you consider plans to "hunker down" or "circle the wagons" to achieve financial viability:

1. Is this a short-term or a long-term reduction? Do you plan to add this program or function back in the near future? Could it cost more to add later?
2. Is the current situation a statistical aberration? Or, is this a trend that you do not know how to correct?
3. How aware are the stakeholders? Have they been brought to the table to brainstorm ideas other than straight cost reduction?
4. Have you discussed this with other schools who seem to be strong and flourishing? Would you be willing to ask them for advice or counsel or prayer or help? Could you even partner with another school to combine a program, such as athletics, rather than eliminate it all together?
5. What if there is another school that needs something that you have? Would you be willing to help them?

Admittedly, these financial situations often seem to come up rather quickly. There may not be enough time to look at the more creative and complex ideas.

But, for the long-term good of the school (including morale), please look at solutions that do not cut out muscle from the school.

We can't save our way to prosperity every year.

Matthew 6:26 "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"

Partnering with our "competitors"

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:

If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Christian schools have a wonderful opportunity to work together to advance and promote Christian education. Rather than see each other as competitors for a finite number of students, these cooperative schools see each other as partners in communicating the message that a Christian worldview is imperative for our children.

How can schools band together in these joint efforts and what does this have to do with stewardship? The answer to the second question first. When schools come together with one unified voice they save resources (time, talent, and money) as each one contributes to a larger effort. In my role with www.DiscoverChristianSchools.com I am working with 15 schools in the Twin Cities area for a November event. The evening is called Christian Education: A Real Choice for You and is a tribute to the organizers for their willingness to work together to speak to parents.

In this way the schools are being good stewards of their resources; one handles the advertising, another gets the venue, another lines up the speakers. and so on.

In order to partner together schools (and other like ministries for that matter) need to realize that we are not the only solution to a problem, but that the Lord purposes each of our schools with a special mission. Also, we must realize that there are plenty of potential students if we do our job to "raise the level of the pond" so that all boats (schools) float higher.

In short, partnering requires humility that reminds us that we are part of something larger than ourselves.

Trusting and expecting

Proverbs 3:1-6

My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

In our work we have to trust. This is more than the declaration that God is in control in the overarching sense. Of course, that is true, but we cannot stop there.

Trust is also very personal, especially in the development and stewardship world. Are we really willing to trust the Holy Spirit to go before us and prepare the hearts of the people we speak with? If so, we can confidently and boldly describe our mission, hear the heart of the donor and know with assurance that God's Will will be done.

At the end of the fiscal year, we may come up "short" in terms of our monetary goal (especially by the end of June), but our Lord is not bound by our schedule or financial targets. Think back on the real fruit of your efforts, those "saints" who were encouraged that the school exists and who appreciate the education you provide. Pray that the Lord would prosper and move in their hearts so they can act on the desire to invest in this Kingdom work.

That, I think, is trusting and expecting.

By the way, if you have gotten this far, I can report that the Lord has "re-located" me to a new Christian school, Tall Oaks Classical School in Newark, DE. My title will be Director of Stewardship and my role will be to:

Connect the PASSIONS of God's people with the PROVISIONS He has supplied to accomplish Kingdom PURPOSES.

Be a blessing!

I will not fear

The Helper of Israel - Isaiah 41:1-10

"Be silent before me, you islands! Let the nations renew their strength! Let them come forward and speak; let us meet together at the place of judgment.
"Who has stirred up one from the east, calling him in righteousness to his service ? He hands nations over to him and subdues kings before him. He turns them to dust with his sword, to windblown chaff with his bow.
He pursues them and moves on unscathed, by a path his feet have not traveled before.
Who has done this and carried it through, calling forth the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD--with the first of them and with the last--I am he."
The islands have seen it and fear; the ends of the earth tremble. They approach and come forward; each helps the other and says to his brother, "Be strong!"
The craftsman encourages the goldsmith, and he who smooths with the hammer spurs on him who strikes the anvil. He says of the welding, "It is good." He nails down the idol so it will not topple.
"But you, O Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend, I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, 'You are my servant'; I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Many schools and other ministries suffer from a "fear factor" syndrome. It looks like this.
- Our enrollment is shrinking; the income is going to dry up
- People will stop giving to the school in this economy
- Other sources of support could go away, too
- We could be forced by the government to hire people who don't share our values

God is not impressed or daunted by current situations; He has a much bigger picture in mind. He reminds His people Israel that they are the chosen; they are not rejected - they are upheld with God's righteous right hand - isn't that where Jesus reigns, too?

The opposite of fear is not blind or reckless courage; it is confidence in the Lord and the boldness to stay on the course He has laid out.

Here is an example: The fund raising dinner or event did not bring (at that moment) the desired goal. We could conclude that this type of event "does not work" and abandon the idea altogether. But, what if there were 10 new friends of the school that came to a new understanding of the education mission and are seeking to get involved? It seems that God was willing to spare Sodom for 10, wasn't He?

Don't fear. Easy to say - hard to do, especially when our measuring sticks are so tangible and near term.

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Remember who you are; remember whose you are
2. Look for the "things" that the Lord cares about
3. Take the embers of excitement that the Spirit ignited and gently blow them into flames

Lastly, don't forget who gave you the breath to blow!

What is wrong with "It works"?

1 Cor. 10:31 "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (NKJV)

What if you hear about a fund raising idea that should be used because "it works"?

I believe you need to ask 2 questions

1. What does "it works" constitute? More money than without?

2. Does "it works" - the end - justify the means?

The "what works" argument must be evaluated in light of your goal. As a development officer for a Christian school I am obligated to raise money in a way that honors the name of the One who called me, Jesus.

I believe we are obligated in at least two ways, the WHAT we do and the HOW (or motivation) with which we do our fundraising.

So, as I solicit a donor for a gift I must seek a Kingdom purpose. I think that purpose should be for our school as well as for the donor resulting in a "bi-lateral" blessing. With a business, like a bank, it may be more temporal and financial: they would like to be seen supporting a strong and morals-based college prep school. That is good for their business and banking is a profession that we can be in good company with.

With an individual donor I think I am always to appeal to Christ's work on the cross as the genesis of the orientation to give and God's gracious giving of all gifts as the means by which I/we exercise our faith.

I do not know how to prove that a biblical approach to fund raising gets better (financial) results. I do know that:

- I experience a freedom to minister when I rest in who is really doing the fund raising

- The raising of funds (like evangelism) is not a function of my cleverness or presentation - my presentation should be excellent because of who I represent

- It is better to let donors do business with the Holy Spirit than with me when it comes to responding to the call to give material resources

I do believe that there is much wealth being held by Christians because they have not been challenged (or not responded to the challenge) to give generously to the Lord in proportion to what they have been given.

So, where are we? Christian schools are hurting financially; many are closing because they are not financially viable; they are unwilling or unable to merge. The industry is suffering and I have this strong belief that part of the reason is that we have not gone about our work in the way the Bible prescribes. God may not bless our efforts if we fail to connect the gospel to giving.

Open Doors in the Face of Economic Downturn

From Rob Spykstra, Veritas Academy, Lancaster, PA

If you were hoping for the secret door to development success in raising funds during economic downturn, then you might be disappointed in my thoughts, disappointed that is, if you define development success solely on money raised. However, if development success in fundraising is defined differently, then you might be greatly encouraged.

As Christian development directors we are to define our success in fundraising, not merely by dollars raised, but more importantly by hearts ministered. And I am finding great success, that is, open doors like never before.

Just today I spoke with a businessman who I had never met. As I shared with him the possibility of his company taking tax credits for the benefit of our school he simply said, “I don’t need tax credits. I don’t have any taxes because we’re not making any money.” Then he began to share his concerns. By the tone of his voice he was asking for some hope.

This became my open door.

Perhaps God will give you open doors. Here are some thoughts we can share. Here is some hope we can give.

We can share about God’s purposes. God graciously gives us economic downturn to reveal our hearts and sweep away our trust in the uncertainty of riches. Riches have always been uncertain and unreliable for true joy. The writer of Proverbs reminds us to stop toiling after wealth, “When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.”(Proverbs 23:5). Rather we are to trust “in God who graciously gives us all things to enjoy.”(1 Timothy 6:17) God is after our joy, and he knows it is not found in wealth.

We can share about God’s resources. I found that if hope in my abilities or in others’ abilities my joy always wanes. This economy certainly causes me to shudder at my and others’ abilities. But I am not without resource. Our hope is in God who owns all things, “all that is in the heavens and the earth is yours.”(1 Chronicles 29:11) Our hope is in God who strengthens us in the face of great difficulties, “In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.”(1 Chronicles 29:12) There is plenty of resource.

Finally, we can share about sound investments. Paul says, “Be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share.” Why? “Thus storing up treasure for yourself as a good foundation for the future.”(1 Timothy 6:19) What future? Eternity. In the face of economic uncertainty we can offer up our ministries as a sound investment, one where those who receive will benefit, but also one where those who give will benefit . . . both not only now, but for all eternity.

Give God thanks today for this economic downturn, there is some real open doors for success.

Bilateral Blessings

When we promote our schools to potential or current donors we are obligated to explain how this gift will benefit or bless our school. We should speak about the worldview and academic training that happens and how we are helping to train the next generation of leaders, parents, spouses, and workers of all types. So, the blessing to the school is to provide children an educational "hot house" for their growth and development so they will be ready and able to impact their communities for Christ.

There is another blessing that we may not be as conscious of; that is the blessing to the donor. When that happens the donor is being obedient in being a good steward of the wealth they manage. Further, the donor becomes linked to the work of the school in a way that gives them a "Kingdom connection" and participation in a work larger than the individual.

As we encourage this kind of two-way (bilateral) blessing, let us pause and give thanks to the Lord that He allows us to be part of work that allows to help people link their faith to their actions.

Come to think of it, isn't that a blessing to us as well?