Giving is such a huge part of who God is. Nothing reveals this more than Christmas. So isn’t it interesting that so few who call themselves Christians give as Christ asked us to give.
I was in a church that apologized for taking an offering. Another asked guest not to give. I know their intent is in the right place because many outside the church see those inside the church as only after their money. But look at this through discipleship eyes. Since giving is being Christlike, and this is part of discipleship, it is like saying, “We do not want our visitors to reflect Christ this week, wait until you get to know us better before you decide to reflect Christ by giving.”
Everyone can give. In fact in the world of missionary outreach we face real issues when a culture feels they are ‘exempt’ from giving because they do not have enough. Watch this video and then tell me some people just do not have enough to give.
The church in the video from Mizoram, India was described by the pastor in the video as the poorest of the poor. But as a result of the “Handful of Rice” a church emerged and now raised $1,500,000 for outreach. They send missionaries all over the world. Their gift has changed the world for Christ.
Giving is a huge part of who Christ is. You want to be like Christ, then give. Teach this. Live this.
(For a good book on the fact that everyone in Christ has something to give, read When Helping Hurts. A must read for all ministries.)
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Commercial
During this Christmas season watch the commercials, (I know I hate commercials too). They appeal to the joy of the giver as much as to the person getting the gift. Obviously they are trying to be sure their product will make you feel as good about buying it as the receiver will feel about opening it. Which goes to prove you cannot escape God’s truth, after all God is the one who said it is better to give than receive.
As Christian agencies and churches many of you reading this are on the ‘asking side’ of the giving season. We all have our special Christmas appeals, and year-end giving strategies. Nothing wrong with all this.
But let’s ask ourselves the question, “Are our strategies working to transform the giver as much as they are designed to transform the recipient?” Do our strategies reflect God’s truth that it is better to give? Are the methods we use helping the donor grow in their relationship to Christ?
God’s Word teaches us to be like Christ. Christ gave. So we can work to build our strategies to reflect Christ-likeness by helping people give. The great thing about transformational giving…it goes beyond the ‘cheesy’ jewelry commercials and really helps the believer deepen their relationship with the GIVER. Let’s work to focus on the donor’s journey as much as Madison Ave focuses on the buyer.
As Christian agencies and churches many of you reading this are on the ‘asking side’ of the giving season. We all have our special Christmas appeals, and year-end giving strategies. Nothing wrong with all this.
But let’s ask ourselves the question, “Are our strategies working to transform the giver as much as they are designed to transform the recipient?” Do our strategies reflect God’s truth that it is better to give? Are the methods we use helping the donor grow in their relationship to Christ?
God’s Word teaches us to be like Christ. Christ gave. So we can work to build our strategies to reflect Christ-likeness by helping people give. The great thing about transformational giving…it goes beyond the ‘cheesy’ jewelry commercials and really helps the believer deepen their relationship with the GIVER. Let’s work to focus on the donor’s journey as much as Madison Ave focuses on the buyer.
Friday, November 18, 2011
A Positive Shift
In the latest book from Steve DeNeff along with David Drury, SoulShift, there is a chapter on shifting from being a “Consumer” to being a “Steward”. Good stuff in this chapter relating to the end result of what this blog calls Transformational Giving. So whether you call it ‘shifting from being a consumer to steward’ or ‘moving into a life of TG’, it is the same principles.
Parts of this chapter hit on key principles of TG. Allow me to quote some of Steve’s insights.
Think about these quotes from two different perspectives.
One, is how can you as a fund raiser communicate these truths to the listener? TG needs to be taught to the Body to overcome several misconceptions about the role of giving in the Church. The steward's giving is part of the spiritual journey and is a joy in serving God. This needs taught!
Two, think how these quotes above should change the way you ask the champion to give. They help us see we are dealing with heart issues not bank account issues. Therefore, the discipleship factor in TG is critical. So not only do we need to teach TG but we reflect these truths in our asking.
Parts of this chapter hit on key principles of TG. Allow me to quote some of Steve’s insights.
“Consumer to steward is a shift in ownership from acquiring things for ourselves
to offering what we have to God and others.”In the parable of the talents, “Stewards see the master as generous. However, to consumers, the master is stingy.”
“The steward’s most coveted thing is never the master’s possessions but the master’s happiness.” I love this quote!!!
“Consumers always want to be on the receiving end of the blessing.
But stewards want to bless others.”
Think about these quotes from two different perspectives.
One, is how can you as a fund raiser communicate these truths to the listener? TG needs to be taught to the Body to overcome several misconceptions about the role of giving in the Church. The steward's giving is part of the spiritual journey and is a joy in serving God. This needs taught!
Two, think how these quotes above should change the way you ask the champion to give. They help us see we are dealing with heart issues not bank account issues. Therefore, the discipleship factor in TG is critical. So not only do we need to teach TG but we reflect these truths in our asking.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Lead a Tribe
In 2008 Seth Godin wrote a book called Tribes. Great little book with the importance of leadership and relationship building. (Like it or not if you are a fund-raiser you are a leader. So lead properly!)
The book is wealth of insight on how to do what we call Champion Migration within the principles of TG. It deals with leading people forward in a cause. Godin helps us see a tribe is much different than a group. We all say we want big groups to support our cause, the bigger the groups the more support we have.
Be careful in wishing for a big group. Groups are fickle. Here today gone tomorrow. Just look at the last week of Christ’s life. They went from Hosanna to crucify in a flash.
Here are some differences Godin uses to compare a tribe versus a group:
• Tribes have purpose, groups do not
• Tribes are change agents, groups stay in the status quo
• Tribes are empowered, groups are lectured to
Give me the tribe.
You see the tribe rallies around the cause. They share passion with each other and know the direction they are headed. This helps them not be easily swayed from hosanna to crucify. Jesus focused on his ‘tribe’. The disciples. After the resurrection he gathered them and empowered them. Those leaders went and transformed the world.
Be the leader of a tribe, not a leader of a group. Your relationship with donors has far greater impact when you focus on the giver not the gift. Godin says, “Great leaders focus on the tribe, they are able to reflect light on to the team. They use the attention they get to reinforce the purpose of the team.” Pg 50.
Where does your light shine when you are fund-raising? On you or the donor/champion?
The book is wealth of insight on how to do what we call Champion Migration within the principles of TG. It deals with leading people forward in a cause. Godin helps us see a tribe is much different than a group. We all say we want big groups to support our cause, the bigger the groups the more support we have.
Be careful in wishing for a big group. Groups are fickle. Here today gone tomorrow. Just look at the last week of Christ’s life. They went from Hosanna to crucify in a flash.
Here are some differences Godin uses to compare a tribe versus a group:
• Tribes have purpose, groups do not
• Tribes are change agents, groups stay in the status quo
• Tribes are empowered, groups are lectured to
Give me the tribe.
You see the tribe rallies around the cause. They share passion with each other and know the direction they are headed. This helps them not be easily swayed from hosanna to crucify. Jesus focused on his ‘tribe’. The disciples. After the resurrection he gathered them and empowered them. Those leaders went and transformed the world.
Be the leader of a tribe, not a leader of a group. Your relationship with donors has far greater impact when you focus on the giver not the gift. Godin says, “Great leaders focus on the tribe, they are able to reflect light on to the team. They use the attention they get to reinforce the purpose of the team.” Pg 50.
Where does your light shine when you are fund-raising? On you or the donor/champion?
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Ownership
In the PEO spectrum of Transformational Giving, most ministries choke a little in thinking of the ownership. Some hate to think of the champion owning. We equate ownership with decision making and control and so we squirm at the idea.
First of all we need to get our need for control under control. God needs to be THE Owner, so perhaps we exercise too much control and the 'non-professional' feels devalued in our ministry. If control equals ownership then we need some redefining.
Transformational Giving does not go well for control freaks (whether the control freak is the ministry leadership or the champion.) You see transformation worries little about who gets credit or who wins the debate. So the word, 'ownership' in a transformational setting need not make us nervous. Rather it can open us up to be more collaborative with our champion base while at the same time not giving everyone who gives a vote on what this year's budget should look like.
Rather ownership can be the guide for our transformational giving and lifestyle. Ever watch a football game? See all the fans with the same color shirt on when the stadium looks all red, or blue or whatever color. The fans all dressed in the same color and dyed hair and painted faces are owners. Ever hear these fans talk about their favorite team. The say things like, "our guys" and "my players". Do the owners get worried about control when 'Joe fan' says, "MY team". Not at all. That is what they want. They want that fan involved and not just a spectator. They want them yelling and making noise and being an influence.
The owners are excited about the ministry. They influence others to get on ‘our team’. They get others excited to part of something big. Give us owners of The Cause!!!
First of all we need to get our need for control under control. God needs to be THE Owner, so perhaps we exercise too much control and the 'non-professional' feels devalued in our ministry. If control equals ownership then we need some redefining.
Transformational Giving does not go well for control freaks (whether the control freak is the ministry leadership or the champion.) You see transformation worries little about who gets credit or who wins the debate. So the word, 'ownership' in a transformational setting need not make us nervous. Rather it can open us up to be more collaborative with our champion base while at the same time not giving everyone who gives a vote on what this year's budget should look like.
Rather ownership can be the guide for our transformational giving and lifestyle. Ever watch a football game? See all the fans with the same color shirt on when the stadium looks all red, or blue or whatever color. The fans all dressed in the same color and dyed hair and painted faces are owners. Ever hear these fans talk about their favorite team. The say things like, "our guys" and "my players". Do the owners get worried about control when 'Joe fan' says, "MY team". Not at all. That is what they want. They want that fan involved and not just a spectator. They want them yelling and making noise and being an influence.
The owners are excited about the ministry. They influence others to get on ‘our team’. They get others excited to part of something big. Give us owners of The Cause!!!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Help Get a Champion Started
Getting started can sometimes be the hardest part. After all once an object is in motion is it easier to keep it going. A big question for funding today is getting the ‘bodies at rest’ in motion. How do we get the person who is not even at the Participation level to get going?
With all the fears today about money and budgets, small steps can become a helpful way for new givers to see that their faith in God is not misplaced. However the small step in giving must be linked to relationship or discipleship if it is to help the champion move from getting involved to staying involved.
The other day I met with three young men who have a burden to be part of the solution. One mentioned he has always had a burden for missions and has supported missions. However he is not at a point that he can give funds regularly. (Unfortunately many ministries make the champion feel if they cannot give regularly they are not ‘on board’. This is unintentional but it tends to happen.) So he did what we want every champion to do…he found others ways than just dollars to give. He created a website with a vision to help others like him to start a pattern of giving.
Here is a part of his story… A missionary was visiting him once and mentioned that one of his methods of evangelizing was buying guys coffee and talking faith. So the champion said, I could help pay for one of these coffee meetings. The missionary said this would be a huge help and from this small idea the champion was being part of evangelism on the other side of the world. Then this got him thinking, what about the others from my generation who could help in similar fashion. So a website was born.
http://www.forafriend.com/ is a website for the champion to get started. They can pledge a gift, like a cup of coffee, a DVD, a Bible etc. Then from this site the champion hears back from the ministry telling them when the gift was used. Also the site gives the champion opportunity to drop the ministry emails and encouragement. It has the tools built in it for transformational giving. In other words, the gift can become an opening for discipling the champion to greater things in the Cause.
With all the fears today about money and budgets, small steps can become a helpful way for new givers to see that their faith in God is not misplaced. However the small step in giving must be linked to relationship or discipleship if it is to help the champion move from getting involved to staying involved.
The other day I met with three young men who have a burden to be part of the solution. One mentioned he has always had a burden for missions and has supported missions. However he is not at a point that he can give funds regularly. (Unfortunately many ministries make the champion feel if they cannot give regularly they are not ‘on board’. This is unintentional but it tends to happen.) So he did what we want every champion to do…he found others ways than just dollars to give. He created a website with a vision to help others like him to start a pattern of giving.
Here is a part of his story… A missionary was visiting him once and mentioned that one of his methods of evangelizing was buying guys coffee and talking faith. So the champion said, I could help pay for one of these coffee meetings. The missionary said this would be a huge help and from this small idea the champion was being part of evangelism on the other side of the world. Then this got him thinking, what about the others from my generation who could help in similar fashion. So a website was born.
http://www.forafriend.com/ is a website for the champion to get started. They can pledge a gift, like a cup of coffee, a DVD, a Bible etc. Then from this site the champion hears back from the ministry telling them when the gift was used. Also the site gives the champion opportunity to drop the ministry emails and encouragement. It has the tools built in it for transformational giving. In other words, the gift can become an opening for discipling the champion to greater things in the Cause.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
One Size Does NOT Fit All
The last three post we did a flyby of the three levels we can disciple donors/champions in the cause. We have champions who are at the Participation level, Engagement level and Owner level. Now as we think of the champions in these levels of their journey, we begin to see that our communication cannot afford to be a ‘one size fits all’ approach.
Think about the champion who is an owner of the work. They assist in funding, they rally people for prayer and even get others to go on a team or volunteer. Now think of the newest members of your support team. They are just learning the ropes of what is means to be mission active. The idea of being involved on a regular basis is still churning in their mind. Should these two types of champions receive the same communication? Not if the communication is speaking into their need not your need.
TG is about the need of the team member and equipping them for the journey. Most champions are in one of these three levels of activity. The time has come to write communication in at least two, if not three different ways. One letter needs to target the “P” level champion with challenges for them. The second letter could be a letter combined to target the “E” and “O” level champions. This letter is more involved and shares deeper aspects of the ministry and how the champion can continue to be an impact.
Each communication needs to incorporate a challenge. Certainly the challenge to the “E’s” and “O’s” would be different from the challenge to the “P’s”. A good starting point to move your fund-raising into a transformational giving focus is to divide your champions according to their level of activity and then target your communication accordingly. This then reflects the champions need and where they may be in their journey. Now you become a part of their growth in the team and thus we see the discipleship of giving impacted.
The days of one mass newsletter to all level champions, ie. one size fits all, needs to be a strategy of the past.
Think about the champion who is an owner of the work. They assist in funding, they rally people for prayer and even get others to go on a team or volunteer. Now think of the newest members of your support team. They are just learning the ropes of what is means to be mission active. The idea of being involved on a regular basis is still churning in their mind. Should these two types of champions receive the same communication? Not if the communication is speaking into their need not your need.
TG is about the need of the team member and equipping them for the journey. Most champions are in one of these three levels of activity. The time has come to write communication in at least two, if not three different ways. One letter needs to target the “P” level champion with challenges for them. The second letter could be a letter combined to target the “E” and “O” level champions. This letter is more involved and shares deeper aspects of the ministry and how the champion can continue to be an impact.
Each communication needs to incorporate a challenge. Certainly the challenge to the “E’s” and “O’s” would be different from the challenge to the “P’s”. A good starting point to move your fund-raising into a transformational giving focus is to divide your champions according to their level of activity and then target your communication accordingly. This then reflects the champions need and where they may be in their journey. Now you become a part of their growth in the team and thus we see the discipleship of giving impacted.
The days of one mass newsletter to all level champions, ie. one size fits all, needs to be a strategy of the past.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Moving Forward - Part 3 of 3
This is the final stage in moving champions forward. We have identified two levels already: Participate, and Engaged. This step is the Ownership level or the “O”.
To disciple a champion to this level it is the process of helping the champion become the owner of mobilizing others for the cause within their sphere of influence.
A champion is an owner when the following happen:
• Transfer cause to others
• Provide tools for others in working in the cause
• Reproducing yourself in others ie. Getting non active Christians to participate.
• This is a transfer of cause, not legal transfer
The moving forward is not linear movement. Rather it is circular in that the Owner brings in others to the Participant level of the cause and as they move deeper the cycle reproduces itself and the cause grows.
The Owner no longer waits on the agency or institution to move them forward. They move themselves and take the responsibility to move others in their sphere of influence. Reproducing becomes key at this level. Thus making empowerment one of your major tools in the journey you have with the “O’s”.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Moving Forward - Part 2
The blog post from August 31 spoke about moving champions forward in their spiritual journey. Giving is part of this journey and we are looking at three parts of moving forward in the discipleship journey.
Today we move from the PARTICIPANT level to the ENGAGED or “E” level.
Here is an overview of the “E” level
• Effort goes beyond short-term project
• Work grows from short-term to long-term commitment
• Awareness gets beyond event focus and becomes cause focused
Here are some examples of moving from “P” to “E”.
• One time giver sees the need to be a recurring giver.
• Children’s Sunday school teacher sees the role she plays in the youth ministry and parents’ lives, in fact the teacher sees the role in the life of the Church not just the kids.
• A work team member who may support and assist in completing one project then gets the ‘aha’ moment and asks, “What’s next?”
Moving from “P” to “E” is really that ‘aha moment’ when we see the big cause and the regular activity required to move the cause forward. An institution without champions involved at the “E” level may potentially always be in ‘crisis’ mode. Meaning you could always be giving desperate appeals to the onetime donors to do it again, or always pleading for volunteers to help one more time.
The “E’s” get it. They realize the need for long-term giving and service. They see that it is their spiritual role not to be part-time players but to join the cause to see His Kingdom move forward.
But let’s keep in mind principle # 9 in Transformational Giving. Principle #9 is “Giving is learned not latent”. This is also true for champions moving forward. The one time giver or short-term volunteer may not see the need to do more without being discipled. For example many folks go on one mission trip and think they have met their ‘quota’ for the Great Commission. So a role your institution needs to take is developing a strategy to help the “P” see the need to grow in their journey. This needs to be intentional on your part. What are things can you do to help the “P” get the big picture and become an “E”? Most won’t make this move without help.
Today we move from the PARTICIPANT level to the ENGAGED or “E” level.
Here is an overview of the “E” level
• Effort goes beyond short-term project
• Work grows from short-term to long-term commitment
• Awareness gets beyond event focus and becomes cause focused
Here are some examples of moving from “P” to “E”.
• One time giver sees the need to be a recurring giver.
• Children’s Sunday school teacher sees the role she plays in the youth ministry and parents’ lives, in fact the teacher sees the role in the life of the Church not just the kids.
• A work team member who may support and assist in completing one project then gets the ‘aha’ moment and asks, “What’s next?”
Moving from “P” to “E” is really that ‘aha moment’ when we see the big cause and the regular activity required to move the cause forward. An institution without champions involved at the “E” level may potentially always be in ‘crisis’ mode. Meaning you could always be giving desperate appeals to the onetime donors to do it again, or always pleading for volunteers to help one more time.
The “E’s” get it. They realize the need for long-term giving and service. They see that it is their spiritual role not to be part-time players but to join the cause to see His Kingdom move forward.
But let’s keep in mind principle # 9 in Transformational Giving. Principle #9 is “Giving is learned not latent”. This is also true for champions moving forward. The one time giver or short-term volunteer may not see the need to do more without being discipled. For example many folks go on one mission trip and think they have met their ‘quota’ for the Great Commission. So a role your institution needs to take is developing a strategy to help the “P” see the need to grow in their journey. This needs to be intentional on your part. What are things can you do to help the “P” get the big picture and become an “E”? Most won’t make this move without help.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Moving Forward
We see that Transformational Giving has a discipleship element to it as the giver grows in her relationship to God. Any move of obedience deepens our walk with Christ, giving does this as well.
In TG we see there is progression in this discipleship journey. In the next few posts we will touch on a possible way for the institution to track and strategize with the giver to actually disciple him in giving.
For those who are regular readers of Eric Foley’s blog these next few posts may be review.
At WGM we define the movement of the giver, or champion as we call them, in three stages. The first stage is what is called a PARTICIPANT, or simply “P” level. This is the champion who usually works with you at the follow level:
- Project level
- Short term
- High touch/High yield
- Understandable without knowing you or the agency.
An example is the Christmas Shoebox Project you may do at Christmas. My church does these and the large majority do not even know that Samaritans’ Purse is behind this. It is a single project that is very short-term. It is easy to do with high involvement from the champion.
Another example may be a mission agency’s work team member. They go do a project. It is short-term, maybe two weeks. The project is very high touch and high yield as well. And a team member can go to a mission field and help missionaries without really knowing much about the agency they work with.
Every ministry needs “P” level activities to engage champions. Everybody has a role they can play and the “P” level activities are great levels to get involvement. TG will not happen without involvement that goes beyond check writing.
Perhaps a good exercise is to identify the “P” activities you offer the champion.
In TG we see there is progression in this discipleship journey. In the next few posts we will touch on a possible way for the institution to track and strategize with the giver to actually disciple him in giving.
For those who are regular readers of Eric Foley’s blog these next few posts may be review.
At WGM we define the movement of the giver, or champion as we call them, in three stages. The first stage is what is called a PARTICIPANT, or simply “P” level. This is the champion who usually works with you at the follow level:
- Project level
- Short term
- High touch/High yield
- Understandable without knowing you or the agency.
An example is the Christmas Shoebox Project you may do at Christmas. My church does these and the large majority do not even know that Samaritans’ Purse is behind this. It is a single project that is very short-term. It is easy to do with high involvement from the champion.
Another example may be a mission agency’s work team member. They go do a project. It is short-term, maybe two weeks. The project is very high touch and high yield as well. And a team member can go to a mission field and help missionaries without really knowing much about the agency they work with.
Every ministry needs “P” level activities to engage champions. Everybody has a role they can play and the “P” level activities are great levels to get involvement. TG will not happen without involvement that goes beyond check writing.
Perhaps a good exercise is to identify the “P” activities you offer the champion.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Practice what we preach?
As those who work with helping mobilize the Church to give, we must always be willing to practice what we preach. Are we givers? Are we good stewards? These questions need to be answered and not just personally, but as a local church, mission agency, relief agency etc. In other words, are the instiutions we serve good stewards and givers.
Do we give back or are we always receiving? Does your church give to missions, local groups whatever? Does your agency give to help others, or is it all just receiving?
Hear what Ravi Zacharias says in his book, The Grand Weaver. He has a small but power section on giving in the chapter titled Your Worship Matters (pgs 148-149). But this one quote from that section needs to be heard by all who raise funds.
We should not teach Transformational Giving if we are not helping our ministry lead the way in giving. Zacharias is right about more and more spending weakens our message. The Church spends far too much on itself before addressing the needs around us. The good news is, every time I hear a testimony that reflects a body of believers who does not fall into this category, I see a thriving outreach for God.
It would be a blessing for us to hear more testimonies of institutions and churches who lead the way in giving. If you have one, by all means post it here for the readers.
Do we give back or are we always receiving? Does your church give to missions, local groups whatever? Does your agency give to help others, or is it all just receiving?
Hear what Ravi Zacharias says in his book, The Grand Weaver. He has a small but power section on giving in the chapter titled Your Worship Matters (pgs 148-149). But this one quote from that section needs to be heard by all who raise funds.
“Spending more and more on ourselves and giving less and less to the world in need may be the very reason few take our mission seriously.”
We should not teach Transformational Giving if we are not helping our ministry lead the way in giving. Zacharias is right about more and more spending weakens our message. The Church spends far too much on itself before addressing the needs around us. The good news is, every time I hear a testimony that reflects a body of believers who does not fall into this category, I see a thriving outreach for God.
It would be a blessing for us to hear more testimonies of institutions and churches who lead the way in giving. If you have one, by all means post it here for the readers.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
More than once
Well our friend Eric Foley never fails to bring a “I wonder” moment to my mind. Check out this blog entry he has about random acts of kindness.
So here is what I wonder after reading the above blog entry… Are onetime givers or what I call the ‘onetime gifter’, falling into the same potential pitfall the random act of kindness may create. As Eric so ably states,
Apply this to missions,or any type of outreach. The onetime gifter is no more mission minded after this gift than I am physically fit after one trip to the gym. The recurring gift is not just important to your account, it is also important to the spiritual journey of the champion.
The job then for us as we disciple others, is to help the onetime gifter actually become a champion. But mind you, if we do this only for our bottom line we are being fake. However if our heart is to help the champion become ‘mission fit’, then recurring giving could be a start to their mission health.
So here is what I wonder after reading the above blog entry… Are onetime givers or what I call the ‘onetime gifter’, falling into the same potential pitfall the random act of kindness may create. As Eric so ably states,
"You will no more become a kinder person through random acts of kindness than you will become a physically fit person through random acts of exercise."
Apply this to missions,or any type of outreach. The onetime gifter is no more mission minded after this gift than I am physically fit after one trip to the gym. The recurring gift is not just important to your account, it is also important to the spiritual journey of the champion.
The job then for us as we disciple others, is to help the onetime gifter actually become a champion. But mind you, if we do this only for our bottom line we are being fake. However if our heart is to help the champion become ‘mission fit’, then recurring giving could be a start to their mission health.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Shining Eyes
A question we want to ask ourselves in fund-raising is, "Are people richer after we leave?" I use the word 'richer' for a reason.
After we talk or share with a person or a group we need to think if are they better off after our time together than they were before we shared.
We all have been around people who help us be better, and around those who seem to drain the life out of us.
So when you are done sharing do people feel you just drained them and their wallets? (Subtraction giving).
Do they feel they got in a 'good deal' and feel good about the investment? (Transactional giving).
Or is their life richer as a result of ministry sharing? (Transformational giving.)
When the giver is changed by the gift as much as the receiver transformation is going on.
Ben Zander is the conductor of the Boston Philharmonic. He has a great lesson on getting people to not just love classical music but to use their untapped potential. As I watched this video at a conference I saw how this can teach us about our presentations and the times we share with people.
At the end of this video he talks about 'shining eyes'. That moment when people get it. I have seen this moment in people as they light up about ministry. They may support an outreach somewhere in town or around the world. Their support is obedience to God. As they talk about the ministry they talk of it as their own even though they may have never physically been present. They are transformed by their obedient giving. In other words they have shining eyes.
Enjoy this video and use it as a challenge for your ministry to have shining eyes, but be patient while you watch it, the end is what you need to see.
After we talk or share with a person or a group we need to think if are they better off after our time together than they were before we shared.
We all have been around people who help us be better, and around those who seem to drain the life out of us.
So when you are done sharing do people feel you just drained them and their wallets? (Subtraction giving).
Do they feel they got in a 'good deal' and feel good about the investment? (Transactional giving).
Or is their life richer as a result of ministry sharing? (Transformational giving.)
When the giver is changed by the gift as much as the receiver transformation is going on.
Ben Zander is the conductor of the Boston Philharmonic. He has a great lesson on getting people to not just love classical music but to use their untapped potential. As I watched this video at a conference I saw how this can teach us about our presentations and the times we share with people.
At the end of this video he talks about 'shining eyes'. That moment when people get it. I have seen this moment in people as they light up about ministry. They may support an outreach somewhere in town or around the world. Their support is obedience to God. As they talk about the ministry they talk of it as their own even though they may have never physically been present. They are transformed by their obedient giving. In other words they have shining eyes.
Enjoy this video and use it as a challenge for your ministry to have shining eyes, but be patient while you watch it, the end is what you need to see.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Someone who wants to raise support
A missionary sent me this article, “20 Reasons Why I Want to Raise Support”.
Some good stuff. Note #4 on the list.
This is much better than seeing the supporter as an ATM. See the health in treating the champion as part of the ministry rather than a means to a ministry?
I was invited one time to listen to a ministry update. They called it a party. Never I have I heard the word ‘me’ so much in one presentation. No one in the room knew each other and the focus was not on the guests, just on the 'me' at thr front of the room. I was not part of the ministry any more than their interest rate on their bank account. I wish the presenters saw me as part of those whose life they could change and not just ask me for more of my change (You know, the kind in my pocket.)
This list has several good points to help us see our fund-raising about so much more than ‘me’. God help us to focus being agents of transformation.
Some good stuff. Note #4 on the list.
4. Expands my ministry to include my supporters. It enables me to encourage, share with, pray for, counsel, and make a difference in my supporters’ walk with Jesus.
This is much better than seeing the supporter as an ATM. See the health in treating the champion as part of the ministry rather than a means to a ministry?
I was invited one time to listen to a ministry update. They called it a party. Never I have I heard the word ‘me’ so much in one presentation. No one in the room knew each other and the focus was not on the guests, just on the 'me' at thr front of the room. I was not part of the ministry any more than their interest rate on their bank account. I wish the presenters saw me as part of those whose life they could change and not just ask me for more of my change (You know, the kind in my pocket.)
This list has several good points to help us see our fund-raising about so much more than ‘me’. God help us to focus being agents of transformation.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
New?
Transformation has become a buzz word today in Christian circles. Nothing wrong with that. After all, the Bible does tell us not to conform to the world but to be transformed.
Some feel that the idea of Transformational Giving is new and we have just hopped on the ‘band wagon’ with using the word transformation. Well Transformational Giving is really not new. This blog is based on a rather old event at Zarephath in 1 Kings 17.
Some of the teaching may feel new simply because it may involve your group changing from transactional or subtractional types of funding to transformational. Another new thing for some may be having a list of principles complied in one place as Eric Foley has done. But really the idea of an offering being an act of transformation goes back to Abel’s offering to God.
In digging around to learn more, I found a newsletter from the spring of 2008 that has transformation as its theme. It is from the ECFA quarterly newsletter. This newsletter has some great info about transformation and the role it has in your organization.
One article is an interview with Wes Willmer about his book Revolution in Generosity: Transforming Stewards to be Rich in God. It helps us see how if your giving is transformational, generosity improves because it focuses on the biblical perspective of being rich in God.
Rich Haynie, has an article “God and Asking”. He states:
This ECFA publication was 2008. So maybe we are not so new, but maybe we should be if fund-raising is not based on biblical principles. Perhaps your ministry could use new methods built on some very old truths.
Some feel that the idea of Transformational Giving is new and we have just hopped on the ‘band wagon’ with using the word transformation. Well Transformational Giving is really not new. This blog is based on a rather old event at Zarephath in 1 Kings 17.
Some of the teaching may feel new simply because it may involve your group changing from transactional or subtractional types of funding to transformational. Another new thing for some may be having a list of principles complied in one place as Eric Foley has done. But really the idea of an offering being an act of transformation goes back to Abel’s offering to God.
In digging around to learn more, I found a newsletter from the spring of 2008 that has transformation as its theme. It is from the ECFA quarterly newsletter. This newsletter has some great info about transformation and the role it has in your organization.
One article is an interview with Wes Willmer about his book Revolution in Generosity: Transforming Stewards to be Rich in God. It helps us see how if your giving is transformational, generosity improves because it focuses on the biblical perspective of being rich in God.
Rich Haynie, has an article “God and Asking”. He states:
In my experience, most people do not travel the road of asking for financial resources founded on biblical principles. Yet those asking for funds are in a unique position to participate in God’s work of transforming the hearts of His children. Fund-raising can play an integral part in the fulfillment of the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18–20)—both indirectly, by gathering the funds necessary to send people to “all the nations” to make disciples; and directly, by helping facilitate the transformation of people into the image of Christ by “teaching them to observe all He commanded” about money and possessions.
This ECFA publication was 2008. So maybe we are not so new, but maybe we should be if fund-raising is not based on biblical principles. Perhaps your ministry could use new methods built on some very old truths.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Equations
The most well known equation in the world is e=mc2. You may not even know what it means but odds are you have heard of it.
I propose a new equation for Christians. T=GC2.
Here is what this means. T= Transformation. GC2 = Great Commandment and the Great Commission. When the Great Commission and the Great Commandment are not separated but rather knit together as God intends, you will see transformation.
A few summers ago I was asked to come do some training at a Christian liberal arts university for their mission department. The issue was, “How do we get our study body to come to the annual Mission Conference?” Statements like these were made…
• “Students not called to missions do not feel the mission conference applies to them.”
• “Students in local ministry do not think the mission conference is for them.”
• “Many just don’t see the need for missions anymore.”
• Etc.
Several problems are reflected in these statements but this blog is not about people getting involved in cross-cultural missions. However the solution to these statements has the same base that we see in peoples need to give. Part of the problem begins in the compartmentalizing of the teachings of Christ. By compartmentalizing we have separated the teachings of the Great Commandment and the teachings of the Great Commission and made them separate when in truth the Great Commission is the natural outflow of the Great Commandment.
The Great Commission is not just about international missionary service. Rather it is about transforming people with the Gospel. So we learn through scripture that the Great Commission is asked of every believer. In other words, the Great Commission is for everyone following the Great Commandment. One big problem in students feeling that the mission week is not for them is because we have allowed the Great Commandment and the Great Commission to be separate, when in fact they should have never been separated.
So when you love the Lord with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself, you will then go and make disciples. You will work with the Holy Spirit to see lives transformed.
Giving is a key part of both the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. Giving ourselves is at the heart of the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. This gets much bigger than money. Loving God and loving our neighbor are not to be separated. Service and giving are all part of being obedience and obedience transforms. So T=GC2.
I propose a new equation for Christians. T=GC2.
Here is what this means. T= Transformation. GC2 = Great Commandment and the Great Commission. When the Great Commission and the Great Commandment are not separated but rather knit together as God intends, you will see transformation.
A few summers ago I was asked to come do some training at a Christian liberal arts university for their mission department. The issue was, “How do we get our study body to come to the annual Mission Conference?” Statements like these were made…
• “Students not called to missions do not feel the mission conference applies to them.”
• “Students in local ministry do not think the mission conference is for them.”
• “Many just don’t see the need for missions anymore.”
• Etc.
Several problems are reflected in these statements but this blog is not about people getting involved in cross-cultural missions. However the solution to these statements has the same base that we see in peoples need to give. Part of the problem begins in the compartmentalizing of the teachings of Christ. By compartmentalizing we have separated the teachings of the Great Commandment and the teachings of the Great Commission and made them separate when in truth the Great Commission is the natural outflow of the Great Commandment.
The Great Commission is not just about international missionary service. Rather it is about transforming people with the Gospel. So we learn through scripture that the Great Commission is asked of every believer. In other words, the Great Commission is for everyone following the Great Commandment. One big problem in students feeling that the mission week is not for them is because we have allowed the Great Commandment and the Great Commission to be separate, when in fact they should have never been separated.
So when you love the Lord with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself, you will then go and make disciples. You will work with the Holy Spirit to see lives transformed.
Giving is a key part of both the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. Giving ourselves is at the heart of the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. This gets much bigger than money. Loving God and loving our neighbor are not to be separated. Service and giving are all part of being obedience and obedience transforms. So T=GC2.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Your Theology is Showing
I am an ordained ministry in the Evangelical Church of North America. A core belief of my denomination is for the believer to live a life filled by God’s Spirit and the reality that the believer can have this fullness now and walk in the abundant life God promises.
This post, nor this blog, is for the purpose of convincing the reader of any particular doctrine. However this post is about the fact that your theology greatly impacts your take on TG.
Just this afternoon, a missionary sat in my office and told me a great testimony of one of his champions. Back in the 1970’s as he was starting out, a gentleman came up prior to the missionary presentation and told the missionary that he was glad to have a missionary speaking that evening, but he did not have any money to give. He wanted him to know this right up front before the service started. After the missionary presented the gospel and how the gospel must be proclaimed to all nations, the same gentleman came up and said, “Well now I have to give.” The Spirit showed this man his role and he followed God.
Forty years later the champion has now died. By the time of his death his average gift was $170 per month. Through the years he never missed a month and maintained a loving relationship with the missionary. This champion's wife was not a believer at the time the man started giving to missions. But before his death she had become a Christian. Part of the impact on her decision was the habitual giving of her husband, the giving of the missionary back into their lives, and God’s faithfulness in providing through His abundance all the years.
The ideas of habitual giving and God's abundance are points where my theology impacts my giving and teaching. Being filled with God’s Holy Spirit is vital to the Christian walk; it is so important that Jesus tells His disciples to wait before going out to fulfill His commission. Wait for what??...The coming of the Spirit. The Spirit gives the believers the power to surrender our life to the Father and thus enabling us to be faithful. Then the surrendered life is a walk of discipleship in Christ with His Body (i.e. the Church).
Jesus never taught the Church to get people to repent and then forget them and move on to the next. He says to make disciples. This is much more than “get ‘em saved” then on to the next group. It is about a deep walk with the filling of God’s Spirit in the heart of the believer. There is an habitual aspect to walking with Christ. (Eric Foley has a good post on habitual giving.) And there is a need to trust in the abundant nature of God.
This belief regarding the fullness of God's Spirit drives my fund-raising. Onetime gifts to God are not enough. Discipleship is not a onetime event, nor is the need to be givers. God wants us to be habitual givers, whose lives are lived in Spirit-filled stewardship to Him. And as always our actions are not just for ourselves, but are testimonies to teach others.
This post, nor this blog, is for the purpose of convincing the reader of any particular doctrine. However this post is about the fact that your theology greatly impacts your take on TG.
Just this afternoon, a missionary sat in my office and told me a great testimony of one of his champions. Back in the 1970’s as he was starting out, a gentleman came up prior to the missionary presentation and told the missionary that he was glad to have a missionary speaking that evening, but he did not have any money to give. He wanted him to know this right up front before the service started. After the missionary presented the gospel and how the gospel must be proclaimed to all nations, the same gentleman came up and said, “Well now I have to give.” The Spirit showed this man his role and he followed God.
Forty years later the champion has now died. By the time of his death his average gift was $170 per month. Through the years he never missed a month and maintained a loving relationship with the missionary. This champion's wife was not a believer at the time the man started giving to missions. But before his death she had become a Christian. Part of the impact on her decision was the habitual giving of her husband, the giving of the missionary back into their lives, and God’s faithfulness in providing through His abundance all the years.
The ideas of habitual giving and God's abundance are points where my theology impacts my giving and teaching. Being filled with God’s Holy Spirit is vital to the Christian walk; it is so important that Jesus tells His disciples to wait before going out to fulfill His commission. Wait for what??...The coming of the Spirit. The Spirit gives the believers the power to surrender our life to the Father and thus enabling us to be faithful. Then the surrendered life is a walk of discipleship in Christ with His Body (i.e. the Church).
Jesus never taught the Church to get people to repent and then forget them and move on to the next. He says to make disciples. This is much more than “get ‘em saved” then on to the next group. It is about a deep walk with the filling of God’s Spirit in the heart of the believer. There is an habitual aspect to walking with Christ. (Eric Foley has a good post on habitual giving.) And there is a need to trust in the abundant nature of God.
This belief regarding the fullness of God's Spirit drives my fund-raising. Onetime gifts to God are not enough. Discipleship is not a onetime event, nor is the need to be givers. God wants us to be habitual givers, whose lives are lived in Spirit-filled stewardship to Him. And as always our actions are not just for ourselves, but are testimonies to teach others.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Leadership and Giving
Here is a question that was posed to leaders that is critical for every leader to answer: “If I follow you will I find Christ at the end?” Great question!!
Now, take this question and apply it to your fund raising strategy. I think we will find that the answer is not found in a transactional/traditional fund raising mindset. Let’s take the principle behind this question and phrase it in a way the champion might ask you about your ministry.
If I give to your ministry will the gift lead to Christ?
Think about this for a moment. Does the giver’s investment in your ministry change them, or does it just get you funded. I believe every gift has the potential to change the giver that is how God works. But think how much more we could show Christ if we were intentional about the gifts doing more than simply funding the ministry. What if we built a strategy that treats each gift as part of the givers discipleship journey, keeping in mind that at the end of the disciple journey the purpose is to see Christ?
All of our ministry’s have the goal that the funds received are used to advance the Kingdom of Christ for the ‘receivers’. But as leaders we are also responsible to help the donor see Christ as well. Leaders can help donors become champions, and help champions see the power of God through giving. In giving the champion is being like Christ.
We can help champions see that they reflect Christ through their gift. When this happens we will see the gift multiply (perhaps not financially) because when Christ is reflected we reach the goal of the showing people Christ. So leadership and giving must be linked. We not only lead our staffs and the recipients of our outreach, but we must also lead the donor. Christ-like leadership leads to Him and so too does Christ-like giving.
Now, take this question and apply it to your fund raising strategy. I think we will find that the answer is not found in a transactional/traditional fund raising mindset. Let’s take the principle behind this question and phrase it in a way the champion might ask you about your ministry.
If I give to your ministry will the gift lead to Christ?
Think about this for a moment. Does the giver’s investment in your ministry change them, or does it just get you funded. I believe every gift has the potential to change the giver that is how God works. But think how much more we could show Christ if we were intentional about the gifts doing more than simply funding the ministry. What if we built a strategy that treats each gift as part of the givers discipleship journey, keeping in mind that at the end of the disciple journey the purpose is to see Christ?
All of our ministry’s have the goal that the funds received are used to advance the Kingdom of Christ for the ‘receivers’. But as leaders we are also responsible to help the donor see Christ as well. Leaders can help donors become champions, and help champions see the power of God through giving. In giving the champion is being like Christ.
We can help champions see that they reflect Christ through their gift. When this happens we will see the gift multiply (perhaps not financially) because when Christ is reflected we reach the goal of the showing people Christ. So leadership and giving must be linked. We not only lead our staffs and the recipients of our outreach, but we must also lead the donor. Christ-like leadership leads to Him and so too does Christ-like giving.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Get Friends To Talk
A key part of the Body of Christ is in its members sharing their faith. If we never tell our neighbor about Christ how will they hear about the Good News?
In a similar way when giving transforms your life you tell others. We tell our friends about the organization we help and how helping them has changed us. We are more apt to attend a church or help an agency recommended by a friend. We even go to restaurants and movies friends suggest.
The seventh principle in TG is about our peers.
Principle 7: The relationship between champion and champion is as important as the relationship between champion and organization
Even before today’s world of internet, Facebook and Tweets, the suggestion of a friend went far beyond the impact of a store’s advertisement. But with all the communication tools for us today, the word of a peer plays a bigger role than ever.
Check out this web site to read what a leader in fund-raising learned about peers connecting online.
As we think of the need to move champion-to-champion communication forward, we need to ask ourselves some questions.
1. Is your ministry impacting donors at a level that moves them forward in their walk with Christ? If this is not a part of their giving then champion-to-champion communication will not happen.
2. If the answer to #1 is yes then ask this question…Have you created places or ways for the transformed champion to tell their story?
3. Have you created tools and training for champions to work on behalf of the cause of the ministry they have with you?
In a similar way when giving transforms your life you tell others. We tell our friends about the organization we help and how helping them has changed us. We are more apt to attend a church or help an agency recommended by a friend. We even go to restaurants and movies friends suggest.
The seventh principle in TG is about our peers.
Principle 7: The relationship between champion and champion is as important as the relationship between champion and organization
Even before today’s world of internet, Facebook and Tweets, the suggestion of a friend went far beyond the impact of a store’s advertisement. But with all the communication tools for us today, the word of a peer plays a bigger role than ever.
Check out this web site to read what a leader in fund-raising learned about peers connecting online.
As we think of the need to move champion-to-champion communication forward, we need to ask ourselves some questions.
1. Is your ministry impacting donors at a level that moves them forward in their walk with Christ? If this is not a part of their giving then champion-to-champion communication will not happen.
2. If the answer to #1 is yes then ask this question…Have you created places or ways for the transformed champion to tell their story?
3. Have you created tools and training for champions to work on behalf of the cause of the ministry they have with you?
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Why bother?
Ever wonder why God bothers with us being givers when “He owns the cattle on a thousand hills”? I mean really, if God had the desire to dump a billion dollars in your ministry’s bank account He could. But He doesn’t. Instead, pastors teach on giving, we take up offerings, relief agencies send direct mail and missionaries travel the countryside raising funds. Why all the bother?
Because it is not about the money. Giving is about relationships. But not just about the relationship you’re thinking. It is taught in ‘fund raising 101’ giving is about relationships “Giving comes through relationships with people.” Some even call it “Friend Raising” not fund raising. Honestly, if the only reason you want to be my friend is to support your ministry no thanks. My friendship is not for sale.
Giving is about relationships: mainly our relationship to God. Do I trust His character as the Provider? Do I believe His Word enough to know that He has all the resources I need? I can give away what He has given me because it is about my walk with Him not my bank account or your ministry budget.
If fund raising is approached with people’s relationship with God in mind then we should build our plan around the first principle of TG.
Principle 1: Every act of giving is first and foremost a statement about the faithfulness of God.
Giving is our statement about what we think of God and our relationship with Him. And, if our fund raising plan helps the giver see this is true for them as well, then we all have opportunity for our testimony to be reflected in our donations. Helping people give is part of disciple making and even (dare I say) an evangelistic move. Think for a moment, helping a person give has potential to lead him/her to faith in God.
Giving is indeed a testimony about what we think about God. So passing the offering plate can play as big a role in disciple making as the sermon just preached. However TG must become more than money but that is for another post.
Because it is not about the money. Giving is about relationships. But not just about the relationship you’re thinking. It is taught in ‘fund raising 101’ giving is about relationships “Giving comes through relationships with people.” Some even call it “Friend Raising” not fund raising. Honestly, if the only reason you want to be my friend is to support your ministry no thanks. My friendship is not for sale.
Giving is about relationships: mainly our relationship to God. Do I trust His character as the Provider? Do I believe His Word enough to know that He has all the resources I need? I can give away what He has given me because it is about my walk with Him not my bank account or your ministry budget.
If fund raising is approached with people’s relationship with God in mind then we should build our plan around the first principle of TG.
Principle 1: Every act of giving is first and foremost a statement about the faithfulness of God.
Giving is our statement about what we think of God and our relationship with Him. And, if our fund raising plan helps the giver see this is true for them as well, then we all have opportunity for our testimony to be reflected in our donations. Helping people give is part of disciple making and even (dare I say) an evangelistic move. Think for a moment, helping a person give has potential to lead him/her to faith in God.
Giving is indeed a testimony about what we think about God. So passing the offering plate can play as big a role in disciple making as the sermon just preached. However TG must become more than money but that is for another post.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Foundation
As you build you have to have a foundation. In thinking, principles equal building blocks. My home is built on a foundation made with blocks. My thinking is built on a foundation made with principles. So what are the building blocks for Transformational Giving? Well they are the 10 principles authored by my trainer, Eric. Here they are…
Principle 1: Every act of giving is first and foremost a statement about the faithfulness of God.
Principle 2: Transformational giving is based on the abundance and trustworthiness of God, not a theology of scarcity.
Principle 3: It is better to give than to receive.
Principle 4: A champion connects with an organization for the purpose of enhancing their mutual impact on the cause, not only to support the organization’s impact on the cause.
Principle 5: A Transformational Giving relationship between a champion and an organization is primarily a peer-level accountability relationship, not merely a friendship or a mutual admiration society.
Principle 6: The champion, not the organization, is called to be the primary means of advancing the cause within the champion’s sphere of influence.
Principle 7: The relationship between champion and champion is as important as the relationship between champion and organization.
Principle 8: Giving is not the process but rather one vital result of the process of a champion being comprehensively coached to share the cause effectively within his or her sphere of influence.
Principle 9: Giving is learned, not latent.
Principle 10: Champions categorize themselves not according to the amount of their giving but by the degree of comprehensive personal ownership they are exhibiting in the cause.
Principle 1: Every act of giving is first and foremost a statement about the faithfulness of God.
Principle 2: Transformational giving is based on the abundance and trustworthiness of God, not a theology of scarcity.
Principle 3: It is better to give than to receive.
Principle 4: A champion connects with an organization for the purpose of enhancing their mutual impact on the cause, not only to support the organization’s impact on the cause.
Principle 5: A Transformational Giving relationship between a champion and an organization is primarily a peer-level accountability relationship, not merely a friendship or a mutual admiration society.
Principle 6: The champion, not the organization, is called to be the primary means of advancing the cause within the champion’s sphere of influence.
Principle 7: The relationship between champion and champion is as important as the relationship between champion and organization.
Principle 8: Giving is not the process but rather one vital result of the process of a champion being comprehensively coached to share the cause effectively within his or her sphere of influence.
Principle 9: Giving is learned, not latent.
Principle 10: Champions categorize themselves not according to the amount of their giving but by the degree of comprehensive personal ownership they are exhibiting in the cause.
Listen Up
Transformational Giving is about the champion and the cause and not just us. Check out the 10 Principles of TG. So this means that personal interaction with champions involves more listening than talking.
In most of our fund-raising we think about what we should say. We even train one another in ‘how to talk the talk’ of fund-raising. TG has us talking less and listening more.
A great way to listen is to ask questions. This gives the donor/champion something to talk about. Let me get the ball rolling by giving you a few questions you can ask.
“What moved you to getting involved?” Or as my good friend Eric Foley puts it, “Why in the world are you giving to my ministry?” This gets the champion talking. Now you can listen and see what God is doing in their life.
Doug Cater of Equip and WGM Board member uses this question. “Tell me more about what you feel God calling you to do?” See, it is about what God is calling the champion to do.
Maybe try this, “What do you see God intending to do through your giving?” Many donors may not be able to answer this right away. But to move the donor into becoming a champion this is certainly a question they need to answer in their own journey.
If you have other questions to help the giver see the power of God in their gift share them with us…
In most of our fund-raising we think about what we should say. We even train one another in ‘how to talk the talk’ of fund-raising. TG has us talking less and listening more.
A great way to listen is to ask questions. This gives the donor/champion something to talk about. Let me get the ball rolling by giving you a few questions you can ask.
“What moved you to getting involved?” Or as my good friend Eric Foley puts it, “Why in the world are you giving to my ministry?” This gets the champion talking. Now you can listen and see what God is doing in their life.
Doug Cater of Equip and WGM Board member uses this question. “Tell me more about what you feel God calling you to do?” See, it is about what God is calling the champion to do.
Maybe try this, “What do you see God intending to do through your giving?” Many donors may not be able to answer this right away. But to move the donor into becoming a champion this is certainly a question they need to answer in their own journey.
If you have other questions to help the giver see the power of God in their gift share them with us…
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
The Role of Discipleship in TG
Transformational Giving involves discipleship. This may mean different things to different readers.
For example…missionaries work with donors or champions, this does not mean you disciple the champion’s entire spiritual journey. Rather your role is missions, therefore you may have a powerful role in helping the believer become stronger in her walk as she pursues God’s role for her in the Great Commission.
For the relief worker, this may mean assisting the believer in his journey in humanitarian outreach. You may be the one to help the giver see there is much more in the spiritual journey with the needy than just dollars.
For the pastor and the believers in the local church, discipleship will be much more comprehensive and not so ‘segmented’. In fact at the level of the local church, for the pastor and the believer discipling another person needs to be comprehensive. However for the believer helping his fellow believer in the journey, you may want to bring on board a missionary, or rescue worker, etc to assist in the comprehensive plan of discipleship. Imagine if you are working in a discipleship relationship with a fellow church member, if when you being to dive into the role you have in the Great Commission, you call your missionary friend to connect in this teaching. The potential for impact multiplies!
(Let me pause right here to say that have comprehensive discipleship is becoming lost in the local church. There is a new book, The Whole Life Offering: Christianity as Philanthropy, which can be a great resource in recapturing the need for discipleship to be comprehensive. Click here for a review.)
We also may have some we disciple at different levels. For example, the missionary may disciple a national believer in the believer’s wholeness in Christ; at this point the missionary serves the pastoral role to the follower. While at the same time the missionary can be discipling a donor to become a champion of the Great Commission, and stay focused on the mission outreach of the giver.
The point is: for giving to become transformational it must intentional in seeing it as a discipleship move. We must be intentional in helping the giver see his gift is not a matter of money but a matter of his spiritual journey. And anytime we intersect in another’s spiritual journey we potentially have an opportunity to be a part of discipleship. For some this is a small touch that propels them to deeper levels with Christ, for others it is more intense as we come alongside them for significant growth in Christ.
For example…missionaries work with donors or champions, this does not mean you disciple the champion’s entire spiritual journey. Rather your role is missions, therefore you may have a powerful role in helping the believer become stronger in her walk as she pursues God’s role for her in the Great Commission.
For the relief worker, this may mean assisting the believer in his journey in humanitarian outreach. You may be the one to help the giver see there is much more in the spiritual journey with the needy than just dollars.
For the pastor and the believers in the local church, discipleship will be much more comprehensive and not so ‘segmented’. In fact at the level of the local church, for the pastor and the believer discipling another person needs to be comprehensive. However for the believer helping his fellow believer in the journey, you may want to bring on board a missionary, or rescue worker, etc to assist in the comprehensive plan of discipleship. Imagine if you are working in a discipleship relationship with a fellow church member, if when you being to dive into the role you have in the Great Commission, you call your missionary friend to connect in this teaching. The potential for impact multiplies!
(Let me pause right here to say that have comprehensive discipleship is becoming lost in the local church. There is a new book, The Whole Life Offering: Christianity as Philanthropy, which can be a great resource in recapturing the need for discipleship to be comprehensive. Click here for a review.)
We also may have some we disciple at different levels. For example, the missionary may disciple a national believer in the believer’s wholeness in Christ; at this point the missionary serves the pastoral role to the follower. While at the same time the missionary can be discipling a donor to become a champion of the Great Commission, and stay focused on the mission outreach of the giver.
The point is: for giving to become transformational it must intentional in seeing it as a discipleship move. We must be intentional in helping the giver see his gift is not a matter of money but a matter of his spiritual journey. And anytime we intersect in another’s spiritual journey we potentially have an opportunity to be a part of discipleship. For some this is a small touch that propels them to deeper levels with Christ, for others it is more intense as we come alongside them for significant growth in Christ.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Major Donor?
Does a big gift make you a major donor? Maybe. If all we want are donors and their money, then I guess a major gift would make you a major donor. But if we want more than money and giving is about transformation and people, then big dollars are not the standard of measurement. In Transformational Giving donors become more than ATM’s, donors become champions of the cause. If this is the case then big gifts and big champions are not necessarily equal.
While in Zarephath, we see the widow did not have much to give. In fact her gift was small and it only appeared to be one meal worth in the midst of a drought. Not major gift by traditional standards.
However, it was major for her.
The small gift may not seem major to the mission or church, but it may be to the giver and to God.
Let’s try this: do not categorize the champion of the cause according to the size of the gift. What if instead we looked at the champion based on his/her involvement and ownership of the cause?
Let me ask this question for us to discuss… A while back my office received a LARGE gift for a project. One donor helped us hit the half way mark of the goal with one gift. We followed up the gift by offering this donor work team opportunities, chances to meet and greet the missionary, prayer opportunities, etc. The giver graciously declined any further involvement. They just wanted to help this project and that was all. Major gift yes. Major champion??? You tell me….
If you said, “No” to this donor being a major champion, how should this answer change your efforts to fund your ministry?
While in Zarephath, we see the widow did not have much to give. In fact her gift was small and it only appeared to be one meal worth in the midst of a drought. Not major gift by traditional standards.
However, it was major for her.
The small gift may not seem major to the mission or church, but it may be to the giver and to God.
Let’s try this: do not categorize the champion of the cause according to the size of the gift. What if instead we looked at the champion based on his/her involvement and ownership of the cause?
Let me ask this question for us to discuss… A while back my office received a LARGE gift for a project. One donor helped us hit the half way mark of the goal with one gift. We followed up the gift by offering this donor work team opportunities, chances to meet and greet the missionary, prayer opportunities, etc. The giver graciously declined any further involvement. They just wanted to help this project and that was all. Major gift yes. Major champion??? You tell me….
If you said, “No” to this donor being a major champion, how should this answer change your efforts to fund your ministry?
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
It's Really Not About Me
In Christian teaching we focus on the fact that it is not about us. The core of Christianity is self-denial. But somewhere between learning this truth and our fund-raising presentations we forget the fact that it is not about us. So our fund raising presentations are usually all about us.
This sounds harsh and you may say, “I focus on what God is doing.” This may be true but is this focus about what God is doing through YOU?
If fund raising is to get beyond just getting dollars and to become transformational, we need the focus where it belongs. Check out this entry sent to me by a fellow missionary/fund-raiser who is doing great TG research.
http://www.futurefundraisingnow.com/future-fundraising/2011/05/your-elevator-speech-doesnt-go-to-the-top-floor.html
This blog entry is great about being sure the focus is not just about us. I love the example he uses about how his group makes it possible for generous people to get involved.
As Christians we can take this lesson one step further. We can help the listener see how our ministry is not about ourselves but about the spiritual discipline we all must be a part of and that is generosity. One mark of spiritual maturity is generosity. The reason this is a mark of maturity is because it reflects our faith in God to be the Provider. When faith is big, giving gets big as well.
If our fund-raising is only focused on us, we may never get past us to them, and ultimately to the Provider.
This sounds harsh and you may say, “I focus on what God is doing.” This may be true but is this focus about what God is doing through YOU?
If fund raising is to get beyond just getting dollars and to become transformational, we need the focus where it belongs. Check out this entry sent to me by a fellow missionary/fund-raiser who is doing great TG research.
http://www.futurefundraisingnow.com/future-fundraising/2011/05/your-elevator-speech-doesnt-go-to-the-top-floor.html
This blog entry is great about being sure the focus is not just about us. I love the example he uses about how his group makes it possible for generous people to get involved.
As Christians we can take this lesson one step further. We can help the listener see how our ministry is not about ourselves but about the spiritual discipline we all must be a part of and that is generosity. One mark of spiritual maturity is generosity. The reason this is a mark of maturity is because it reflects our faith in God to be the Provider. When faith is big, giving gets big as well.
If our fund-raising is only focused on us, we may never get past us to them, and ultimately to the Provider.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Parallel Pitfalls
During college I had a New Testament prof that was famous for repeating the same teaching all the time. It must have worked because I still remember it and want to share it with you now.
He said that throughout the Bible and in our lives we always get into trouble with God when He reaches out His hand and we look to see what is in the hand rather than reach for the hand itself.
In the end we really do not need what is in God’s Hand, we just need His hand.
This teaching has guided my prayer life for years. Not to say I always get it right, but I work to strive for God more than the blessings.
As I get into Transformational Giving and teach in various settings throughout the world, I have learned that praying and giving have potential to have the same pitfalls if we stray from a God-centered focus.
If as ministries in need of money, we only look at giving as a resource for just getting funded, then we miss the point of giving. Giving is a spiritual discipline for every believer. So if we miss the chance to see giving as disciple making and just a means to our end, we have reduced the believer to an ATM.
Just as in prayer, if we reduce prayer to just getting what we want, then we miss the needed relationship that makes us disciples. Doing this runs the risk of trying to make God a Genie in a bottle. We must not treat God or His followers as means to an end by always looking to see what is in the Hand instead of just grabbing the hand.
Prayer and fund raising both involve asking. But if this is the root and the only purpose for either, then neither we nor His church will grow. Prayer is about more than what we want or need, so too is giving and receiving.
He said that throughout the Bible and in our lives we always get into trouble with God when He reaches out His hand and we look to see what is in the hand rather than reach for the hand itself.
In the end we really do not need what is in God’s Hand, we just need His hand.
This teaching has guided my prayer life for years. Not to say I always get it right, but I work to strive for God more than the blessings.
As I get into Transformational Giving and teach in various settings throughout the world, I have learned that praying and giving have potential to have the same pitfalls if we stray from a God-centered focus.
If as ministries in need of money, we only look at giving as a resource for just getting funded, then we miss the point of giving. Giving is a spiritual discipline for every believer. So if we miss the chance to see giving as disciple making and just a means to our end, we have reduced the believer to an ATM.
Just as in prayer, if we reduce prayer to just getting what we want, then we miss the needed relationship that makes us disciples. Doing this runs the risk of trying to make God a Genie in a bottle. We must not treat God or His followers as means to an end by always looking to see what is in the Hand instead of just grabbing the hand.
Prayer and fund raising both involve asking. But if this is the root and the only purpose for either, then neither we nor His church will grow. Prayer is about more than what we want or need, so too is giving and receiving.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Chicken or the Egg
Oh the classic duel of which came first.
The other day I was reading a post by my ‘teacher’ and good friend Eric Foley, about a huge gift for the homeless in Florida. You can check this out on his blog.
The article addresses a huge offering. (Sounds like they hit the lottery. Don’t get me started on ‘lottery giving’ I’ll save that for another time.) In Eric’s post he focuses on training before giving. Not training in how to give but training in how to serve.
This made me think… which comes first, serving or giving? The answer…both.
As a pastor and now a mission director I have seen a growing common denominator in giving. We give to causes we have experienced. Yes there are many who give first, and then want to service the project they have contributed toward. But ‘the going first and giving second’ group is growing, so this is why the answer is both.
The Billy Graham Crusade rolled to town while I pastored. The congregation I served got behind this crusade in a big way. It changed our church. The giving toward outreach also changed greatly after we got involved in outreach.
We see this in the mission community as well. Short-term missions have increased the number of givers to missions. Many, who never regularly gave to missions, have come home from short-term missions and become regular givers.
Giving then is an extension of their service. When giving is seen holistically and not just a part of the Christian walk, but rather a principle of life, then giving gets bigger than dollars and it transforms. Offering training in ways to serve needs to include training in giving, while stewardship seminars need to include service training. If we keep them linked then the Body is healthier.
The other day I was reading a post by my ‘teacher’ and good friend Eric Foley, about a huge gift for the homeless in Florida. You can check this out on his blog.
The article addresses a huge offering. (Sounds like they hit the lottery. Don’t get me started on ‘lottery giving’ I’ll save that for another time.) In Eric’s post he focuses on training before giving. Not training in how to give but training in how to serve.
This made me think… which comes first, serving or giving? The answer…both.
As a pastor and now a mission director I have seen a growing common denominator in giving. We give to causes we have experienced. Yes there are many who give first, and then want to service the project they have contributed toward. But ‘the going first and giving second’ group is growing, so this is why the answer is both.
The Billy Graham Crusade rolled to town while I pastored. The congregation I served got behind this crusade in a big way. It changed our church. The giving toward outreach also changed greatly after we got involved in outreach.
We see this in the mission community as well. Short-term missions have increased the number of givers to missions. Many, who never regularly gave to missions, have come home from short-term missions and become regular givers.
Giving then is an extension of their service. When giving is seen holistically and not just a part of the Christian walk, but rather a principle of life, then giving gets bigger than dollars and it transforms. Offering training in ways to serve needs to include training in giving, while stewardship seminars need to include service training. If we keep them linked then the Body is healthier.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Don't work for just tips
Money is not the end all gauge to successful Transformational Giving but it is a big part of it. After all ‘Giving’ is in the title so finances must be a portion of the measurement for success.
In the magazine Outcomes David Willis discusses what he calls a Vision for Generosity. In this issue he distinguishes between what he calls ‘tipping’ and giving. Tipping happens when we simply exchange information. So tipping is the equivalent of an offering for you after a service. Then you leave the church and that is all you ever hear from the church and their members. The offering sometimes is just a ‘tip’ for coming. The tip is based on your ‘service’. (Pun intended). Good service good tip, bad service bad tip. Tough way to fund a ministry uh?
Giving is more than tipping. Giving happens when participation and engagement occur. Giving goes far beyond the dollar. The dollar is part of it but it goes further. It is action based not spectator based. It is relational. We are developing people not accounts. Your account is a portion of the fruit but not all. (ie. Transformational Giving) Remember, works produce fruit, not fruits produce work.
I would encourage all of you to read the Fall 2010 issue of Outcomes magazine. It is all over Transformational Giving.
In the magazine Outcomes David Willis discusses what he calls a Vision for Generosity. In this issue he distinguishes between what he calls ‘tipping’ and giving. Tipping happens when we simply exchange information. So tipping is the equivalent of an offering for you after a service. Then you leave the church and that is all you ever hear from the church and their members. The offering sometimes is just a ‘tip’ for coming. The tip is based on your ‘service’. (Pun intended). Good service good tip, bad service bad tip. Tough way to fund a ministry uh?
Giving is more than tipping. Giving happens when participation and engagement occur. Giving goes far beyond the dollar. The dollar is part of it but it goes further. It is action based not spectator based. It is relational. We are developing people not accounts. Your account is a portion of the fruit but not all. (ie. Transformational Giving) Remember, works produce fruit, not fruits produce work.
I would encourage all of you to read the Fall 2010 issue of Outcomes magazine. It is all over Transformational Giving.
Monday, April 11, 2011
God Has Enough
In today’s world of budget cuts, high gas prices, national debt, etc, etc, etc. Each of us knows that our resources are limited. We know the principles of not spending more than we make. We see the dangers of deficits whether in our nation, church or agency. These dangers and these principles are real but if we are not careful they can also trump our faith.
Many mission agencies, churches, and individuals have a pie chart for budget talks. Each department or ministry hopes they get their ‘share’ of the pie. But the truth of the matter is, God does not have pie charts.
The widow of Zarephath had a budget. It was empty. She was on her last scoop of flour and when it is gone she was done. So her resources were all used up and there would be no more. Then God got involved and the flour never ran out.
God does not have pie charts but he does have bread slices. And from what I see He never runs out. Whether the widow at Zarephath or the boy who gave Christ his lunch. Both had what they needed and no one was left out.
If giving is to transform, then faith must trump budgets. I know many churches who ask the congregations for faith promise giving. You know…Pledge to give what you do not see and trust God to meet the pledge. Then the church or agency leadership has a tendency leave the faith promise concept at the door when they approve budgets. Transformational giving does not advocate poor stewardship, but it does promote faith. No reason for faith promise not to make into the board room. After all God does not run out of flour.
So before we can look at practical steps to implement for transformational giving, we must agree that God has enough.
Many mission agencies, churches, and individuals have a pie chart for budget talks. Each department or ministry hopes they get their ‘share’ of the pie. But the truth of the matter is, God does not have pie charts.
The widow of Zarephath had a budget. It was empty. She was on her last scoop of flour and when it is gone she was done. So her resources were all used up and there would be no more. Then God got involved and the flour never ran out.
God does not have pie charts but he does have bread slices. And from what I see He never runs out. Whether the widow at Zarephath or the boy who gave Christ his lunch. Both had what they needed and no one was left out.
If giving is to transform, then faith must trump budgets. I know many churches who ask the congregations for faith promise giving. You know…Pledge to give what you do not see and trust God to meet the pledge. Then the church or agency leadership has a tendency leave the faith promise concept at the door when they approve budgets. Transformational giving does not advocate poor stewardship, but it does promote faith. No reason for faith promise not to make into the board room. After all God does not run out of flour.
So before we can look at practical steps to implement for transformational giving, we must agree that God has enough.
Monday, April 4, 2011
About this blog
A few years ago World Gospel Mission partnered with Eric Foley and his consulting group, Doers of the Word. Through this relationship the Lord opened up the world of TRANSFORMATIONAL GIVING to WGM.
For me as a pastor now working with a mission agency, the teachings of transformational giving resonated as I looked with a fresh vision into scripture to see what God says about money.
Churches and mission agencies are faith based. We all depend on the giving of others to eat. But it is deeper than that. At the end we realize that God is the Giver, not the congregation.
In my journey, the lesson from scripture that has impacted me the most is 1 Kings 17:7-16. This is where God stops feeding Elijah with ravens and now has a widow give him her last meal. What was God thinking? A widow? Why not a king? Or why not leave her alone and let the ravens keep up the good work?
But the widow, whom we do not even have a name for, was changed. Her life was transformed by giving. It didn’t change Elijah, the recipient. After all he had ravens feed him just last week. He still gets to eat. But the widow was changed. Her resources ended and she still ate because God’s resources have no end. In fact God proved what we claim to be true, HE IS AN ABUNDANT GOD.
This blog is a journey as a result from a stopover in Zarephath.
For me as a pastor now working with a mission agency, the teachings of transformational giving resonated as I looked with a fresh vision into scripture to see what God says about money.
Churches and mission agencies are faith based. We all depend on the giving of others to eat. But it is deeper than that. At the end we realize that God is the Giver, not the congregation.
In my journey, the lesson from scripture that has impacted me the most is 1 Kings 17:7-16. This is where God stops feeding Elijah with ravens and now has a widow give him her last meal. What was God thinking? A widow? Why not a king? Or why not leave her alone and let the ravens keep up the good work?
But the widow, whom we do not even have a name for, was changed. Her life was transformed by giving. It didn’t change Elijah, the recipient. After all he had ravens feed him just last week. He still gets to eat. But the widow was changed. Her resources ended and she still ate because God’s resources have no end. In fact God proved what we claim to be true, HE IS AN ABUNDANT GOD.
This blog is a journey as a result from a stopover in Zarephath.
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