I struggle with humility. I want my school to be as big and as strong and as beautiful as the finest I have ever seen. I also have bouts of "building envy", that feeling that comes over me when I see the building that "we should have". Hence, there is the temptation to stretch or exaggerate how good things are, however we postmoderns tend to define good - generally more and growing.
Dan Busby, President of the Evangelical Council on Financial Accountability (ECFA), has written an article in which he warns of slipping integrity as the result of both comparing and competing where and how we should not. The consequences of slipping integrity can be disastrous to our schools. It's a problem that creeps in under the radar but one that can erode the very truth we stand for as a Christian institution.
The solution is given to us by Paul in Philippians 2:6-7, to be a servant like Christ. "People who recognize and embrace their smallness keep getting bigger and bigger in God's eyes. It's the oddest scoring system." to quote Dan.
Please read Integrity Slipping and see how the Lord may be speaking to you with regard to how you represent and present your school.
Showing posts with label Courage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Courage. Show all posts
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Courageous Christian Fundraising
Last week I was in Atlanta at the annual conference of the Association of Classical and Christian Schools where I was privileged to describe the daily (and hard) work of biblical stewardship.
Conventional fundraising employs techniques and methods that are tuned to efficiency and financial effectiveness. So, if selling wrapping paper is less efficient than an "a-thon", then do the "a-thon" which brings in more money with less effort. After all, the "bottom line" is getting funds right?
Does God only care about the fact that we get the funds? Or, is He also concerned about the "why" and "how" of the fundraising? The scriptures make it clear:
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. " 1 Co. 10:31
We are obligated to make Christian fundraising Christian. Otherwise, it is secular fundraising on which we drizzle some Bible and hope that this will sanctify the method.
I have been impressed with the school leaders who told me, "I know this is hard work, but it's the right thing to do. Our job is to disciple people in their walk with Jesus." It is more difficult to look at someone as a fellow man and to walk with him to see his blessings as opposed to seeing him as a "giving unit" with a dollar sign on his head.
It takes more time, more prayer and more involvement. It results in more disappointments, but it can result in greater joy as the donor responds to the Spirit's call on his or her life.
At the end of the proverbial day, do you want to be known as this prolific fundraiser who gathered lots of funds, or do you want to be known as the one who God used to grow donors in their faith; and, who gathered the large sums?
Be courageous and see the Spirit carry you to the next right decision.
Conventional fundraising employs techniques and methods that are tuned to efficiency and financial effectiveness. So, if selling wrapping paper is less efficient than an "a-thon", then do the "a-thon" which brings in more money with less effort. After all, the "bottom line" is getting funds right?
Does God only care about the fact that we get the funds? Or, is He also concerned about the "why" and "how" of the fundraising? The scriptures make it clear:
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. " 1 Co. 10:31
We are obligated to make Christian fundraising Christian. Otherwise, it is secular fundraising on which we drizzle some Bible and hope that this will sanctify the method.
I have been impressed with the school leaders who told me, "I know this is hard work, but it's the right thing to do. Our job is to disciple people in their walk with Jesus." It is more difficult to look at someone as a fellow man and to walk with him to see his blessings as opposed to seeing him as a "giving unit" with a dollar sign on his head.
It takes more time, more prayer and more involvement. It results in more disappointments, but it can result in greater joy as the donor responds to the Spirit's call on his or her life.
At the end of the proverbial day, do you want to be known as this prolific fundraiser who gathered lots of funds, or do you want to be known as the one who God used to grow donors in their faith; and, who gathered the large sums?
Be courageous and see the Spirit carry you to the next right decision.
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