The Generous Fundraiser

In the world of fundraising, it is presumed that we ourselves are generous with the blessings we have from God. After all, doesn't it make sense that we cannot ask for what we are not giving?

So, what does generosity look like in our lives? Here is a quick test that you get to grade and score yourself.

1. How am I doing with my financial giving? Am I giving in the same proportions of my income that I ask our donors to do?
2. How am doing in giving my talent? Have I offered to help another development or stewardship person any assistance, encouragement, or prayer?
3. What am doing with my time? Is my schedule so full that I cannot be "interrupted" with the needs or concerns of another? Do I take my precious time and think about who might need a good word?
4. Would others describe me as a generous person? Would they say I am effective and efficient, but not particularly loving?
5. Am I sharing my journey of becoming a generous giving in a way that invites others to join or does it come across like I have "arrived" and my donors just need to catch up?

I write this as I come under conviction for holding back. The Lord is gracious to forgive, but He also puts generous saints in my path who remind me that I have far to go.

Thank you Lord for your patience with me.

A "Stewardship Trajectory"

Matthew 19:27-29

Peter answered him, ‘We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?' Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.'

When I think of the legacy question, there are three specific questions that come to my mind:

1. What will I be known for in this life and the next?
2. What am I leaving behind?
3. What am I looking forward to?

Considering these questions can be helpful to us as we consider short and long-term decisions about our time, talent and treasure.

For example, when we don't have anything planned at a particular moment, maybe we should ask, "Who could use a blessing?" Thinking about others and their needs takes the focus off of us and it sets up an opportunity to be blessed by others as we use our gifts (maybe time and talent).

So, are you (we) known for extending Christian love to others? Do we have the reputation of being more concerned about the relationships and giving blessings than of accumulating wealth?

Being "heaven minded" causes us to think about God's desires and His Kingdom before we think of our own comfort.

Eternal life is that future state of glory that Jesus came to secure for all who would believe. We should look forward to it and be less concerned about maximizing our own glory here on this earth. That's the longer-term view that puts on the "stewardship trajectory", or a path managing all that God has given us for His glory.

Keep the future state in mind provides a template for making the right decisions today.

The thirty-second "Elevator Speech"

Promoting and advancing our institution is the essence our work. Usually, we do this in a deliberate and planned way such as a brochure, letter or presentation.

However, sometimes we are in situations when we have thirty seconds (like on an elevator) to describe our school to a new acquaintance. Are you ready to give the answer to the "what do you do" or "where do you work" questions?

Before you say, "Of course, I can describe my school", I want you to stop and thank about how you do that.

Look at these two statements:

"I work for Harvest Christian School and I am in charge of marketing and fund raising. We have 200 students, loving teachers and make sure the Bible is our source of truth. Our students are prepared for college and go to some great area schools."

Harvest Christian School is an intuition that is training the next generation of leaders to engage their communities for Christ. This education is expensive, but we are committed to helping families bless their children with a biblical world view."

Both are accurate and brief. The second one, however, describes the consequences (results) of a Harvest education. It declares that quality education is costly, but it has value. It also invites the listener to ask a follow-up question, like "how do you raise all those funds?"

As fund-raisers we want to keep the conversation going and see if the Lord is leading this person to take the next step to learn more about the school. We also want to take the attention off of us and focus it on the students (our core) and our parents who (our partners) who sacrifice to provide this type of education for their children.

Lastly, the educational objective is not (only) a good college, but a Christ-centered education. this demonstrates that we want our graduates to have a purpose greater than their own success, but who will be equipped to be Kingdom advancers.

Remember, we don't get two tries to make a first impression.

Power in words and passion

The Son Superior to Angels - Hebrews 1:1-3

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.

The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

In this passage we see the power of God as he sustains all things by His word. We know from the scriptures that He spoke the world into existence out of nothing (ex nihlio). God does need other raw material from which to create. He speaks with power.

It would be presumptuous and haughty to compare the power of our words to the One who created us, but maybe we should not discount the power of our words when they are spoken with conviction, power, and in conformity with God's will.

I have recently interacted with a small international ministry who is looking to take the next step in their growth to become a more influential gospel ministry. I believe it will happen. There are several reasons for this:

1. They have a clear Gospel mission focused on orphans
2. They execute their plan well and with financial efficiency
3. The board members have a serious financial stake
4. There is a passion that is contagious and powerful

What would our schools look like if every board member, donor and prayer partner were so committed to the educational work that they could not help but bubble over in enthusiasm about the Lord's work in this place?

I submit that this army of evangelists and apologists would be self-replicating and we would see more people connect with our passion for the Kingdom work with children.

How do I know? Look at enrollment. Across the country, eighty percent of new students come to our schools because of the enthusiastic endorsement of a satisfied (thrilled?) parent. Out of pure excitement and conviction, current school parents are powerfully urging their friends to consider Christian schooling.

Similarly, an army of passionate friends can spread the message and get their friends to investigate the reason for our enthusiasm. We trust the Holy Spirit to complete the heart connection if that is His will.

Our job, and the job of our supporters, is go out and give the reason for our hope.

It sounds like evangelism to me.

It looks like power, too.

The Testimony of Generosity

The Living Stone and a Chosen People
1 Peter 2:4-12

As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him-- you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."

Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone," and, "A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the message--which is also what they were destined for.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

I have heard recently that a foundation that supports public schools exceeded their fundraising goal. They also had a really good time, lots of teamwork, and genuine appreciation for each others' gifts and talents.

When I see these qualities in non-Christian settings I am struck by their hopefulness, confidence, and joy in the mission. And, their hope is not in the Cross and the promise of eternal life - what gives?

In contrast, many schools seem so defeated and dour in their outlook as though "the world is winning".

What would happen if we lived our faith in victory and in "Cross confidence"?

What if schools were known for the amazing support that poured into them because donors believed (and knew) that wonderful Kingdom work was happening here?

Maybe we could stop looking at "those guys over there" and be blessed with the Christian generosity the Lord is sending our way.

What if non-Christian organizations were looking at how we were doing things so that they would be interested enough to ask about our school?

What if that became an opportunity to share the Gospel? "....they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us."