How Much is Enough?

Proverbs 30:8-9

Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the LORD?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.

When we speak to our donor-friends, there is an overarching question that runs through their minds and one that must be dealt with if they are going to be able to return to the Lord the maximum amount.

Sadly, however, our society promotes accumulation of wealth so the answer to the "how much is enough" question is not one that is dealt with. So, if we want more and more or are afraid that there will not be enough to cover unforeseen events (health care comes to mind), we and our donor-friends never get to see that we may have enough or even more than enough.

Many of our major donors are 50+ years old. They are thinking and planning for retirement. In doing so, they may make assumptions about lifestyle and future expenses that preclude them from seeing that they could be contributing mightily to the Kingdom today. They go on to reason that they will contribute from what is left over. Sadly, they never get the joy of seeing their wealth make a difference.

In order to do this analysis we should refer the donor to the Christian advisor who can help in doing the analysis. Ron Blue (Crown Ministries and Kingdom Advisors) and Generous Giving are two organizations that are committed to maximizing Kingdom impact while ensuring that the donors real needs are provided for.

We can help get the planning process started by asking a few questions:

1. What do you see yourself doing after you complete your paid work?
2. Have you and your spouse talked about and planned for "post-career" ministry?
3. What Kingdom works would you plow into when you are not tied to a daily schedule? What is it about these that blesses your heart?

Don't be afraid to ask these questions. You might be surprised at the answers and how little our friends have thought these through.

Whenever we do ask these legacy questions, we should do with grace and appreciation to the Lord for the privilege of engaging in this kind of conversation.

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.

Pastors promoting the Christian school

1 Peter 3:15

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

Many of us who promote Christian schooling see the local church and her pastors as critical links to the parent community we are trying to reach. To forge links we have pastors' breakfasts, give them discounts for their own children to attend, and we pepper them with brochures and emails reminding them that we are out here doing Kingdom work alongside them.

I have done this "reaching out" and asked churches to put our school in their missions budget since the local school is an evangelistic effort. My experience with local churches breaks down like this:

- 10% serious about and in favor of Christian school - will educate their own children this way- the church may actually have its own school
- 10% generally in favor and will allow us to speak to a gathering and/or put out literature
- 60% favor public school (the salt and light argument) and because of the breadth of program
- 20% don't have strong feelings either way

Because of these "statistics" we cannot come barging in and expect pastors to be thrilled to see us. They will generally say, "I know all about your school". I always wonder what that means.

God is so good to provide so many wonderful case studies to learn from, and an opportunity to give an answer for my enthusiasm for Christian education.

So, today, I was visiting a headmaster of a church-sponsored school and had the opportunity to meet the pastor. The reason for the visit was to get to know each other and to see how I (we) could assist a sister school in their work.

The pastor was a little taken aback and asked me why would I want to do this and what could I offer to them. Thankfully, I have been asked this many times and I shared ideas in marketing, development, and strengthening the school culture. Like most of us, offering to serve or help is a pretty foreign concept; there must be an angle for me.

We have so much in common with our neighboring schools that it behooves us to find connections (like cooperative marketing on the radio or a Christian school fair). Like the body of Christ that we represent, each of has a something to contribute to the whole and there is always something we can learn.

Always be prepared to give an answer for why we believe in our mission and how the children, our churches, and our communities will be blessed if we produce strong soldiers of the Cross.