The Christian schooling movement has many challenges. In this blog, I write about how we have hurt ourselves and our cause by not thinking biblically about the work of fundraising. When we adopt secular methods because "they work" we can miss the calling we have to raise up joyful and generous givers. God is not honored when we reduce our work to just getting funds without regard for the messages we send.
At a higher level, there is another recent challenge to the Christian schooling movement, the advent of classical charter schools. These are public schools that take advantage of the somewhat liberal laws for charter schools and they make an end run around Christian by hiring believers as teachers and use the Bible as "great literature".
In Galatians 6:7 Paul reminds us that God will not be mocked -that doing good is defined by pleasing the Spirit. Patch Blakely, Executive Director of the Association of Classical and Christian Schools exposes the flawed thinking of Christians who think you can have it both ways, classical with some Christian. Read his well-written article, It's Not Classical and Christian http://www.accsedu.org/ and about CCE.
Excellent Christian schooling is neither free or easy, nor should it be. If you believe that your school could use a little assistance, please visit http://www.advancechristianschools.com/ and see if mentoring would help you lead your school more effectively.
Showing posts with label Obedience. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Obedience. Show all posts
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Planting and Harvesting - hard work and waiting
Luke 8:5-7
"A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up.
Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture.
Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants.
Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown." When he said this, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
Here is the parable from the Development Officer's perspective:
There was a moderately successful fundraiser who came to the town of Muchville to raise funds for his school. He printed some beautiful literature and prepared his story to tell the residents.
The first group he came to had no interest in his appeal; they took his literature and threw it away.
Then he came to some donors who contributed a little bit of money to get him off their back and to keep from feeling guilty. This giving did not last and he moved on.
The next group was very wealthy. The folks started to give, but before long they remembered their very comfortable life and the god of materialism choked out the giving they had begun.
The last group had been blessed with the grace of giving and they appreciated the opportunity to show their love for and obedience to God. They responded in a large way and gave great amounts and were privileged to do so.
The development officer exclaimed, "The Lord has visited His people and spoken to their hearts - the joy of generous giving is evident here".
This parable reminds us that we will encounter many adverse situations, but we must keep sowing and planting because the Great Farmer has gone before us, prepared the soil, and brings the harvest.
Let us keep persevering for the good of the Kingdom.
"A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up.
Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture.
Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants.
Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown." When he said this, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
Here is the parable from the Development Officer's perspective:
There was a moderately successful fundraiser who came to the town of Muchville to raise funds for his school. He printed some beautiful literature and prepared his story to tell the residents.
The first group he came to had no interest in his appeal; they took his literature and threw it away.
Then he came to some donors who contributed a little bit of money to get him off their back and to keep from feeling guilty. This giving did not last and he moved on.
The next group was very wealthy. The folks started to give, but before long they remembered their very comfortable life and the god of materialism choked out the giving they had begun.
The last group had been blessed with the grace of giving and they appreciated the opportunity to show their love for and obedience to God. They responded in a large way and gave great amounts and were privileged to do so.
The development officer exclaimed, "The Lord has visited His people and spoken to their hearts - the joy of generous giving is evident here".
This parable reminds us that we will encounter many adverse situations, but we must keep sowing and planting because the Great Farmer has gone before us, prepared the soil, and brings the harvest.
Let us keep persevering for the good of the Kingdom.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Honoring the Lord with our Wealth
Proverbs 3:9-10
Honor the Lord with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
then your barn will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.”
Is this passage a program for how to gain more wealth? After all, it seems to indicate that if we give, we will get more (livestock and crops for the barn and wine for the vats).
Before we race out to tell donors that this giving formula is the answer to our scarcity, let’s go back and examine what is really in view here. There are two points that need to be made:
1. The purpose and receiver of our giving – the goal of giving is to honor the Lord. We are to give in recognition of and gratitude to the Giver of all good things.
God Himself has given all that we have. Of course, it all still belongs to Him; we are merely (but importantly) temporary custodians of good gifts. These gifts fall into 3 categories, time, talent and treasure, and we are obligated to use them for His glory.
2. The quality of these gifts – firstfruits indicates the highest quality (as in the first pressing of the olives).
When we, as fund raisers, interact with donors we are (generally) asking them for cash gifts.
However, their best gifts may not be in that particular currency (at that particular time). Maybe, we need to look more broadly and look at the firstfruits in other areas, such as a particular skill that can be useful for the work at the school.
How about each of us? We did not enter into this field because of the financial rewards; we did it because we believe the Lord called us to to help raise up resources through the ministry of stewardship.
You and I may have the “wealth” of encouragement, organization, writing, or serving in other ways. Are we using those as our own firstfruits for the Kingdom.
Let us pray that we are giving our very best as we ask others to do the same.
Honor the Lord with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
then your barn will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.”
Is this passage a program for how to gain more wealth? After all, it seems to indicate that if we give, we will get more (livestock and crops for the barn and wine for the vats).
Before we race out to tell donors that this giving formula is the answer to our scarcity, let’s go back and examine what is really in view here. There are two points that need to be made:
1. The purpose and receiver of our giving – the goal of giving is to honor the Lord. We are to give in recognition of and gratitude to the Giver of all good things.
God Himself has given all that we have. Of course, it all still belongs to Him; we are merely (but importantly) temporary custodians of good gifts. These gifts fall into 3 categories, time, talent and treasure, and we are obligated to use them for His glory.
2. The quality of these gifts – firstfruits indicates the highest quality (as in the first pressing of the olives).
When we, as fund raisers, interact with donors we are (generally) asking them for cash gifts.
However, their best gifts may not be in that particular currency (at that particular time). Maybe, we need to look more broadly and look at the firstfruits in other areas, such as a particular skill that can be useful for the work at the school.
How about each of us? We did not enter into this field because of the financial rewards; we did it because we believe the Lord called us to to help raise up resources through the ministry of stewardship.
You and I may have the “wealth” of encouragement, organization, writing, or serving in other ways. Are we using those as our own firstfruits for the Kingdom.
Let us pray that we are giving our very best as we ask others to do the same.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
A "big picture" for Christian school development
This may be helpful as a starting point to help with the overall focus we need to develop and maintain.
Our Philosophy of Development
-----------------------------
We start with the knowledge that God owns it all. (1), (2)
We are to honor the Lord with our lives, including our material possessions.
We believe that generous giving is the Biblical norm, not the exception (3).
We challenge donors to give liberally to Kingdom causes. We urge donors to do prayerful giving to the school(and to God’s work in other ministry), not for tax benefits or for personal recognition.
Lastly, while we know that giving is commanded in the scriptures, it is also a joyous act (4). Therefore, the gift to the school provides a two-fold blessing, to both the giver and the school as a recipient.
We believe that giving to the school puts a great responsibility on us as a school as a recipient of donors’ giving.
1. We will work to make the school worthy of Kingdom investment
2. We scrutinize our message and methodologies against not what works, but against God-honoring principles
3. We will also practice integrity and make ourselves accountable to external examination through full annual accounting audits
Finally, we are to have a good testimony in the community we serve, to the believer and especially the unbeliever so that they would seek the reason for our faith and have a desire to know our Savior Jesus personally.
Mission
-------
The mission of the school’s advancement function is to raise awareness of and resources for this Christian school that equips students with skills to pursue excellence through Christ in every area of life.
Vision
-------
The vision of the advancement function is to:
1. Bless the donor in their faith walk
2. Encourage and educate the community in Biblical generosity
3. Provide resources to the school so that it can execute its mission with excellence
4. Demonstrate the school’s value to the community (including the churches from which we have students)
5. Provide resources that would bless other Christian schools
(1) 1 Chr. 29:11 "Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all."
(2) 1 Chr. 29:12 "Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. 13 Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. 14 "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand."
(3) Matt. 6:19-20 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
(4) 2 Cor. 9:7 “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Our Philosophy of Development
-----------------------------
We start with the knowledge that God owns it all. (1), (2)
We are to honor the Lord with our lives, including our material possessions.
We believe that generous giving is the Biblical norm, not the exception (3).
We challenge donors to give liberally to Kingdom causes. We urge donors to do prayerful giving to the school(and to God’s work in other ministry), not for tax benefits or for personal recognition.
Lastly, while we know that giving is commanded in the scriptures, it is also a joyous act (4). Therefore, the gift to the school provides a two-fold blessing, to both the giver and the school as a recipient.
We believe that giving to the school puts a great responsibility on us as a school as a recipient of donors’ giving.
1. We will work to make the school worthy of Kingdom investment
2. We scrutinize our message and methodologies against not what works, but against God-honoring principles
3. We will also practice integrity and make ourselves accountable to external examination through full annual accounting audits
Finally, we are to have a good testimony in the community we serve, to the believer and especially the unbeliever so that they would seek the reason for our faith and have a desire to know our Savior Jesus personally.
Mission
-------
The mission of the school’s advancement function is to raise awareness of and resources for this Christian school that equips students with skills to pursue excellence through Christ in every area of life.
Vision
-------
The vision of the advancement function is to:
1. Bless the donor in their faith walk
2. Encourage and educate the community in Biblical generosity
3. Provide resources to the school so that it can execute its mission with excellence
4. Demonstrate the school’s value to the community (including the churches from which we have students)
5. Provide resources that would bless other Christian schools
(1) 1 Chr. 29:11 "Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all."
(2) 1 Chr. 29:12 "Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. 13 Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. 14 "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand."
(3) Matt. 6:19-20 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
(4) 2 Cor. 9:7 “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Monday, February 16, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
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).
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).
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