Listening to the Donor's heart

I have a friend who is a wonderful friend to Christian schools. He supports the school his daughter attends and Tall Oaks and another school as well. He loves Christian schools and the life impact we can have when we stay true to the mission.

Recently, he became aware of a regional Christian worldview conference designed for upperclassmen. He approached the school's principal with an offer to help underwrite the cost, but he was told that everyone had already paid their way.

At that moment, the principal should have continued the discussion with the donor to explore other areas of worldview training that could be made available to students.

Instead of thinking broadly as we hear the heart of the donor, we think myopically and, often, we only focus on one imitative or project at a time.

This behavior causes us to miss a potential blessing for the school as well as a frustrating a donor who has a good and legitimate way they would like to help.

How do we combat this myopia? Remember that the school is not "our" school, that is belongs to the Lord Himself and He has His purposes for us.

Listen for clues to the passion and interest in the donor. They may not yell at the top of their voices, but they have a reason that is compelling them.

Repeat back what you heard so that you can validate what the donor is saying. Then, try to think of ways to use their good intentions for the school. This assumes, of course, that their purposes don't pull the school away from its core mission.

You might be surprised at what you hear.

Asking Donors to Fund a Special Project

Two weeks ago I shared the story of the student whose family needed even more financial aid than the school could grant. I presented the situation to several people who had indicated an interest in helping in this way. I called each and got permission to present this "case".

Praise the Lord. The need was met by two and a half times! In other words, these friends of the school gave $5,000 against a need of $2,000. Generous is the way I would describe these four friends of the school. Also, they were very pleased to be asked and to help.

It happened again this week. Our debate team wanted to go to a tournament that requires a long drive and an overnight stay. We presented the $700 need to an attorney friend who appreciates this aspect of classical education and he responded immediately with a "yes".

These two stories illustrate the beauty of matching a donor's passions and provisions (money in this case) with a Kingdom purpose (training students in their rhetorical skills and providing Christian education).

The donors were not new to the school. They were all already on board with the mission. Again, they were pleased to be presented with a giving opportunity that touched their heart.

Stewardship Can Begin at a Young Age

Like many middle-aged administrators I find myself behind the curve when it comes to the latest advances in technology. Telephone and email are my standard electronic modalities. The "smart phone" is a recent acquisition, but many of its features go unused.

However, I know that I must stay up with the times and take advantage of the constantly-improving technologies. My latest foray is to develop a social networking strategy to link up this blog with Advance Christian Schools so that we might be able to connect with and help more school leaders.

So, right under my nose, I find one of our own students who is very proficient with Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc. and I have asked him to share his abilities with me. Of course, he can set up the accounts and do the automatic links and feeds, but he started with me asking really good questions:

1. What is my passion and objective for this networking capability?


2. Who are the people I am trying to reach? What messages do I want them to receive?


3. What is my end goal or action I desire for these interactions?


4. What does success look like?

Wow! This interaction sounds a lot like the kind of questions we want our upperclassmen to be asking.

My young protege is unleashing his passion (social networking), using his provision (vast computer skills), and applying them to a Kingdom purpose (connecting and equipping leaders).

Look around your school and see if the Lord has placed a young gem right under your nose.

The Joy of Used Computers!

What school or other ministry has not been offered one or more used computers? However, many times these "gifts" are not current in hardware or software or operating systems.

So, unless we have IT departments with nothing to do (no way!) these gifts are not really beneficial for either students or staff.

When this situation occurs, we can politely say "no thanks, our specifications require current operating systems". Or, we could take a tack that brings the donor into closer relationship.

Here are some thoughts from a call I received recently:

1. Someone thought of us. They tried to match their gift with our need: a great place to begin.
2. I called back and asked how they found out about the school and how this batch of hardware became available. I learned that this mom may be putting her child in our school in the next year.
3. We want to keep the dialog going to see if the computers can be used.
4. We want to discuss other areas of interest with the donor to see how they might contribute in another way.

A culture of stewardship looks for faith-based relationships, which takes more time and effort than a simple "Sorry, these units don't fit our needs".

In the ministry work to which we are called we welcome opportunities to help our friends walk closer with the Savior.

The Power of Community in Stewardship

God made us to live in relationships. To be in relationship with the Father, through the work of the Son in the presence and power of the Spirit. He also created us to live in community with each other on the horizontal. I was reminded of this over the past several weeks and again today.

When our school (www.TallOaksClassicalSchool.org) moved to our new location we had volunteers helping in a massive way. Some were painting, some moving, some packing, and some working on the technology infrastructure. Each sub-group had its own energy and enthusiasm and the dynamic 0f the group propelled them to go further than any one person would have done on their own.

Good Neighbors (www.GoodNeighborsHomeRepair.org) has its Summer Youth Work Camp this week in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Similarly, teens and adults are "swarming" on houses in need of critical repair and months worth of work is being accomplished in only five days.

Events are time-consuming parts of the job of development and stewardship officers, but they can yield results that are greater than the sum of many individual efforts.

For our planning purposes:

1. Have a good attitude about mobilizing volunteers; believe that the Lord has given us capable volunteers who are just looking to be plugged into the organization
2. Recognize that more is being gained than the actual work itself; relationships are being developed
3. Deep and strong ties to the mission occur when we are well-deployed and working shoulder-to-shoulder with each other
4. Often, financial gifts just flow out of people seeing immediate needs and acting on them; the challenge may be keeping track of the generosity

The Power of a Good Word

In the last several weeks our school had a visitor who toured and was very impressed with our

• Small classes
• Efficient operations
• "Back to basics" approach to curriculum
• Discipline
• Manners and attentiveness of the students

When I followed up with him after the tour he told me that he did not have financial resources to invest, but he would be willing to write a letter to the editor of the local paper.

Today the letter was printed on the Opinion page where he declared that here is a "school that does more with less", referring to efficiency and focus of the school. No doubt, this will resonate with people who care about education in general because they see how much is invested in the public school system.

The beauty of the world in which we work is that there is always something to offer or to give. In this case, a non-Christian can sing the praises of a school that is reminiscent of the school he remembered as a boy.

Our stewardship work is to create an environment of generosity where people experience the joy of doing something outside of their own interests. Oftentimes, this is a "Christan-to-Christian" experience, but it does not need to be.

Also, we never know how the Lord may use this introduction to lead us into the next conversation when we can discuss matters of eternal consequence.

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.

Celebrate the non-cash gifts

Romans 12:4-8

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,
so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.
If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;
if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

God has blessed our schools with "quiet angels", those saints who volunteer and do work that is rarely recognized. Most of these folks don't want recognition; they do what they do for the Lord and to bless the school that they love.

I suggest that you take some time out of your schedule to thank and celebrate the good gifts that are being used for the Kingdom building at your school. This is an important stewardship effort even if it is difficult to value in dollars.

As you are having these discussions, why not ask a few questions? In your own words, of course.

1. How or why did you come to volunteer?

2. What is it about the school that keeps you coming back? This is especially true of the volunteers who no longer have children in the school.

3. Are we utilizing your gifts as you would like for us to?

4. Are there other areas of the school in which you would like to participate?

5. Are we grateful receivers of your generous giving?

And, praise the Lord with them that He has moved in the hearts of His people to steward this portion of their gifts.

God is the fund rasier - Rich Haynie

Part 2 from the article "The Road Less Travelled"

There is a second principle that distinguishes the two roads, again by the agents involved. On the wide road, the world's road, the burden for raising the funds is on us. On the road less traveled, God is the fund raiser. This principle is vital to understanding our role. Misunderstand it, and we can greatly misdirect the biblical precedent for raising money.

We see this clearly marked out for us in I Chronicles 29:9; Exodus 35:2 1; and II Corinthians 8 and 9 (esp. 9:7). I Chronicles 29:9 tells us, "The people rejoiced ... for they made their offering to the Lord with a whole heart." Exodus 35:21 says, "And everyone whose heart stirred him and everyone whose spirit moved him came and brought the Lord's contribution.....”. And 2 Corinthians 9:7 says, "Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart.....”.

Notice that the response of the people in each instance is a heart response. A need was shared and hearts were stirred and spirits moved, resulting in giving. Only one person can perform such a feat: God Himself. Proverbs 2 1:1 says, "The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes." In other words, God is the fund raiser.

So then, what is our job? To find that answer we need to notice what preceded these events of generous giving:

I Chronicles 29:9 - David presented the need in obedience to God's issuing of the vision in I Chronicles 28:6.

Exodus 35:21 - Moses presented the need based upon God's command from Mt. Sinai in Exodus 34:32.

II Corinthians 8 and 9 - Paul presented the need (as seen in chapter 8) and even received the liberty to "follow up" (chapter 9) based on his calling as an apostle in Romans 1: I and stated many other places.

Our job is to present the need. We understand this responsibility clearly in witnessing. We are told that our job is to be ambassadors for Christ. We are to deliver the message of the King. As we plant the seed of the gospel, God reveals the truth of His Word. Oswald Chambers wrote, "We are not commissioned to save souls, but to disciple them." When Simon Peter confessed Jesus as "...the Christ, the Son of the Living God," Jesus said to him, "...flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven." God makes Himself known to unsaved men as believers faithfully deliver His message.

The same is true in fundraising. We are simply called to present the need and allow God to reveal to each donor his or her financial participation. This is an extremely liberating concept from the messenger's standpoint. As we are led to present the need, we need not worry about the results, since they do not depend upon us. "Rejection" does not exist. We should keep our eyes squarely focused on the role of giving the message or presenting the need.

Walking along this road less traveled is only possible because of a tremendous assurance in Scripture: God's provision. Philippians 4:19 tells us, "My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." If a legitimate (God-initiated) ministry exists, then God has already provided for its financial need. We are not required to "create" funding or to convince others that they "need" to participate financially. God has already appropriated the funding; our job is to share the need and allow God to identify those to whom He has given the resources.

What is Advance Christian Schools?

I believe we, in the Christian school movement, are missing a wonderful opportunity to do our fundraising work in a way that honors the Lord. Many of us (me included) have employed secular techniques, sprinkled on a little Bible (for sanctification), and wonder why we are not being blessed financially.

Here is where I describe a new opportunity:

Mission

The mission of AdvanceChistianSchools.com is to develop biblical approaches to development and advancement in the Christian school industry.

Vision

The vision is to train a new generation of leaders who will lead their schools to set new standards of biblical stewardship so that Christian schools simultaneously grow stronger (both relationally and financially) and glorify God, who gave them their original mission.

http://www.advancechristianschools.com/

I invite any administrator or school board member to join on this journey to transform ourselves and to assist in the transformation of God's people as we link the Gospel to giving and link giving to the Gospel.

ECFA's new ServantMatch program

There are few Christian schools in the US who have the ECFA designation. The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability certifies that its members maintain the highest standards of financial integrity - those who do are in the company of Focus on the Family and Campus Crusade for Christ.

The organization has a new service called Servant Match http://ecfa.org/ServantMatch.aspx that helps donors find organizations that match their interests and passions.

So, when you check "education" in the categories and either Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, or New Jersey in the state category you will quickly find "Christian Academy, The". This tool is useful for donors who want to fund other areas of course and I hope you will cascade this to friends so they can avail themselves of this new and helpful aid to their giving.

Charles Stanley - Thoughts on giving

In Touch - Dec. 15, 2008

Monday December 15
God-Pleasing Generosity 2 Corinthians 8:1-7

Paul’s second letter to the Corinthian church praises the Macedonian believers at Philippi for their generosity. Despite deep poverty and great troubles, they desired to bless others materially. From their example, we know God is pleased when we give . . .

1. According to divine revelation. The Lord has revealed in Scripture how we are to live. He wants us to base our decisions on biblical principles rather than on our own thinking. Looking solely at a paycheck or bank balance before determining the size of a donation is relying on “self,” not trusting God.

2. Out of our need. The Macedonians were poor, but they didn’t let that keep them from contributing. They gave out of the little they had. The widow who gave her last two copper coins was praised for her offering to the Lord (Mark 12:42-44). We don’t need to have extra money in order to give.

3. To those who spiritually nourish us. The Bible tells us to bring our gifts to the local church, where it can be used to further God’s work. The apostle Paul and others were able to evangelize because of the support provided by the church in Jerusalem. Recognizing that they owed those believers a debt, the Macedonian Christians desired to give something back.

Human reasoning tells us that we cannot part with our funds when debt seems too large or income too small. But the Scriptures tell us to trust the Lord to provide for our needs (Phil. 4:19)—and to give generously. Are you living according to these principles?

Tuesday December 16
God's Way to Give 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

Our heavenly Father knows what our income is and how He would like us to spend it. He also desires that we demonstrate certain heart attitudes in our giving. These include faith, compassion, and generosity.

It takes faith to give before our own needs are met. The Macedonians at Philippi were experiencing deep poverty, but they still longed to contribute. Their behavior revealed a deep trust in the Lord's provision.

Compassion is also vital. This heart attitude cares about others and wants to bless them. The Philippian church saw Paul's situation and longed to help (Phil. 4:16). The Lord is pleased when we love one another and share from what we have.

The Macedonian believers were also generous. Though in great need themselves, they begged for the privilege of contributing to the collection for the Jerusalem church.

Consider how greatly we have benefited from the generosity of our heavenly Father. He provided His Son Jesus to take our sins upon Himself and die in our place. He has adopted us into His family, made us co-heirs with Christ, and prepared for us a permanent home in heaven with Him. And in this life, His Holy Spirit provides everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). As we make our Christmas plans, let's be generous towards others, just as God has been to us.

As we study biblical principles about how to handle money, God's Holy Spirit will help us put them into practice. Obedience to the Word will bring spiritual blessing (Luke 6:38).