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."

"Dance with the one who brung you"

In the South, there is familiar expression about dancing - "Dance with the one who brung you". Up north, we might say, "Be satisfied with what you have and use it fully."

This is not a new expression - and is not even a new concept. Paul wrote about this back in the first century as he addressed the church at Corinth.

From 1 Corinthians 12:12-22

The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.
For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
Now the body is not made up of one part but of many.
If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body.
And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body.
If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?
But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.
If they were all one part, where would the body be?
As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!"
On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,

Whether you are new or old to the development/advancement work, God had gifted you with special gifts that are ideally suited to the work before you.

You may be one who can organize events - this is critical for community relations which can lead to personal relations

You may be gifted in graphic and other communications - use these for brilliant printed pieces and visualization on your web site

Gifted writer? Brochures and foundation proposals need these skills

Came from the business world? Use your understanding to develop special outside relationships.

Ministry minded? Connect first with local pastors who need to be appreciated and cared for.

I hope you see that whatever talent you have is useful for the Kingdom and should be the "lead dog" in your advancement work. So, be confident in the Lord and watch Him use you in a special way. The talents that you do not yet have can be developed - find someone with those and have him or her mentor you.

So, how and where do I start?

"The problem with this transformational approach is that, while I understand and agree with the biblical stewardship model, I don't know where to start."

Here is an approach that may help but, remember that this must be from your heart; otherwise it will come across as a formula or technique.

1. Lead with a heart of joy, gratitude and prayer. 1 Thes. 5:16-18 "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." Thank the Lord for your special work and for the giving community that is part of the school.

2. Get a list of your board members (both current and former) and have an in-person conversation with each that goes something like this:

- thank you for your stewardship to our school - you have given time, talent and material resources

- how did you get involved with the school in the beginning? What did see or believe that brought you?

- what do you see today that keeps you involved? Are there any special aspects or programs that feel really connected to?

- what do see that we need to do to better fulfill the Lord's mission for the school? What does our "future state" look like?

- do you or have you considered what you might be called to do from here on? What gifts do you have that you are being lead to share with the school? How can I assist?

- how can I do what I do in a way that conveys blessing and encouragement rather than just asking for a handout or looking at you as only a "giving unit"?

3. Repeat the above with long-term and large donors, those who have a major stake in the school.