Asking the Next Question

In our work to both bless others and enlarge the network of friends we must be somewhat inquisitive in asking questions. My general framework is the "3 P's of the Stewardship Conversation".

1. What has God given you a Passion for? What Kingdom work excites and fulfills you?
2. What gifts (Provisions) of time, talent and treasure has God given you that you can make available for Kingdom work?
3. To what destination (or Purpose) could the combination of your passions and provisions be applied? In other words, what ministry task or work would be a good intersection of the first two?

One month ago, I volunteered to host a meeting of the local green ways leaders. They are managing farmland adjacent to the school so we want to be in on the plans for Community Sustainable Agriculture (the co-op idea).

In the meeting I met Mike who asked me questions about the school and we got to talking about his interests. In addition to agriculture, he is also a Gideon. After a little more conversation we put together a plan for him to come and present Bibles to our fifth graders and to share the mission of the Gideons. It was a wonderful convergence of Mike's Passions and Provisions.

When the presentation was made, two other men joined for the presentation. One of the two told me that his son graduated from the school where our school is now located. Further, that son now has a newborn son who the grandfather wants to introduce to the school!

While we cannot predict how and where these situations go, we can be confident that our Father has gone before us and is bringing wonderful resources and solutions to bear. We just need to be available and trusting the Lord to lead in the direction He wants.

When the Donor thanks You

Yes, that is exactly what happens when we seek to match the donor's passions and provisions (gifts) with the Kingdom purpose.

Today a donor told me that it was his privilege to give the school. I asked permission to ask "why" was it his privilege. He explained that he and his family get to express their gratitude to God for His goodness (they have a successful family business) and they are thrilled to see the good work of Tall Oaks continue and expand to touch more children. Interestingly, each gift they have given has been larger than the previous one. They are givers of time, too, when they volunteer in various activities.

Another donor became a volunteer this week. She has known about the school and recently made her first gift. Now, she will be coming in each week for two hours to work in a classroom. When asked why she does this, she replied that the change of venue from her other duties refreshes her.

Make no mistake, ministry to donors is hard work and it is not straightforward. I have made many suggestions for the "ideal fit" that were not even close. We have to take time to get to know folks and to hear their heart as they express passion for serving the King. People are not accustomed to being asked "what stirs your soul?"

One more, we have a parent who has not given any money, but loves to volunteer her time in the office - it let's her work in a people-intensive setting which energizes her. She has time and organizational skills - the office is a great fit.

We honor the Lord by the good use of our gifts and when we assist others in the unleashing of their blessings for Kingdom purposes.

Lastly, celebrate these successes, even when they don't (immediately) show up on the donations budget.

'Twas the Night Before the Ask...

Tomorrow we officially launch the Annual Fund campaign for the school. I am doing the "ask" myself, opting for the "insider" vs "headliner" approach.

The ask comes at the end of the annual Fine Dessert where every grade of the school will give a short demonstration of the work they are doing. I am following the Rhetoric students who will be having a apologetics discussion.

While I will share the financial goal ($225,000), I will not try to break it down into "manageable" chunks for donors to see if they can do their share.

Instead, I am sharing my 3 P's of Stewardship:

Passion - what desires for the Kingdom has God put on your heart?

Provisions - what gifts have you been blessed with that need to be released to Kingdom work?

Purpose - what is the right destination for your giving where it will have the greatest impact?

Legacy is another part of my short talk. We are leaving a legacy, one of generosity or one where we are "tippers" after receiving the blessing of eternal life.

We cannot go into these situations asking: "What are the right hooks or hot buttons?" We must always be looking out for the spiritual best interest of our donor/friends. We must let God be God and trust Him to bring the right resources at the right time for our school.

Pray hard, prepare well; then watch and wait.

The Purpose-Driven Fundraiser

Malachi 3:10

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

In the development world we are always connecting with people and explaining our work. When asked, many of us would answer "I am the development officer for ...." or "I am the fundraiser for ....". True enough, that describes our specific function, but it falls short of the wonderful purpose God has given us to be catalysts for biblical stewardship.

If we see our purpose as larger (dare I say global?) then we may begin to approach our work as more than fulfilling a role in the organizational chart or raising a certain sum of money.

What if you answered the "what do you do" question with "My role is to encourage people to unleash resources from their wealth and plow them into the Kingdom". To which, they would reply (after they chuckled in amusement), "That's a tall order".

Indeed it is and that is why it requires the very word of God and the moving of the Holy Spirit.

However, if we let the Spirit do the "heavy lifting" of changing hearts, then our work is one of being an aid to and a messenger of the One who owns all of the resources and our very lives in the palm of His hand. And, according to Scripture, we are to test God in this and see if He does not throw open the floodgates of heaven.

When we look at our work with this bigger view we are better positioned to be a help to the donor. Even if we are part of an effort that causes the donor to give to a ministry other than our own, we can rejoice because the donor was blessed in the act of giving.

"Raising our gaze" gives our work the high calling that it should have.

Legacy - What we leave behind

Everyone of us has a legacy. Our legacy is what is left behind once we depart this earth. Many people when asked about legacy see it only in financial terms, such as "I am leaving my children and grandchildren with enough to have comfortable lives."

Recently, I had meetings with two men who are fairly generous. They are over 60 and, when asked about their mission or life goals, they were very unsure about what they should do. Hence, they don't invest their time and other resources with intensity or a plan.

The "legacy" question is right behind the "mission" question. I have been asking this question of (mostly) men 50 years old or older and getting these responses:

1. I never really thought about it - I guess to say that I lived a good and honorable life

2. To be known as someone who is kind and helpful, putting others' needs before my own

3. A wonderful marriage and children who know right from wrong

4. That people knew I was a Christian and lived my faith to the fullest

All of these are commendable, but they fall short of a mission or purpose that ties all this together. Without an idea of where we believe God is calling us, we cannot really answer the legacy question.

How can a development officer assist a donor-friend in this endeavor?

1. Pray that our friend is open to the Lord's leading

2. Connect them with an organization like http://www.halftime.org/ who helps people walk through these very questions

3. Ask ourselves whether we are doing what we do because of a call or vocational choice. How do we know? Would others agree that stewardship and discipleship are at the core of our being?

4. Love our donor-friends in ways that communicate that we are truly concerned about their total well-being, which includes helping them ask (and answer) "is that all there is?"

Lastly, remember to show grace to others as we ask these tough questions - we have witnessed the ultimate display of grace when we recognize what our Lord Jesus came to do for us.