Be careful not to slip into transaction when the pressure is on to get to the funds now. The method of “10 more donors at $10 a month” can end up being just about YOU. This old method can become stale and ‘me’ focused quickly if we are not careful, because by itself it does not move folks to transformation. A few simple tweaks of this appeal can move this to transformation.
But before we tweak it let's look at the dangers of it without looking for transformation.
Dangers using this appeal in your newsletters:
• Keep in mind that the majority of the ones getting the letters (email) already give monthly so this type of appeal may be preaching to the choir.
• This appeal tends to be all about the missionary and not about the champion.
• This appeal fosters no involvement outside of cash.
So we need to move this appeal to transformation…
1. The time has come for the “O’s” on the mailing list to get different info than the rest of the list. For example the “O” can receive an email the week before the general email saying something like, “Next week we will be sending an update to the team. In this update we will be asking the team to rally together for the last bit of the financial part needed for the ministry in ..wherever.. Let’s join together in prayer this week as God prepares the hearts of those who will receive the coming update.” This now gets the “O’s” mobilized. Then they can also receive the general letter to so they can see it firsthand.
2. When the general letter goes out it needs to move people to action greater than giving. For example it could state, “For those already assisting in the financial goal of the team, ask God what may be next for you. If the Lord shows other ways you can help the cause we would love to hear what God is doing in your journey.”
3. When the general letter goes out it needs to focus on the team and the champion rather than language like “We need or I need only 25 more donors” The “I need” once again makes the champion a spectator not a player.
Example of the tweaks to the “We need only 25 more donors at $40 per month and we can get to the field.” appeal.
“As we all have been working these past few months to mobilize the Gospel for _____, here is an update on how we are doing. To have the ministry extend to _____, $$$$ are needed to reach the financial portion of the outreach goal. So as a team let’s trust God as we work together to see Him provide. One way God can provide is for this need to be shared. For example, the need would be met by 25 new champions at $40. Pray about what God would have you do or whom God would have you talk to about being part of the outreachto _____.”
This is just an example. There are several ways this could be presented. Maybe you could even attach to an email a coupon the champion could print and use to recruit others.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
All Can Give
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.)
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, 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.
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