Five Things They
Never Told Me about Christian Fundraising
R. Scott Rodin
What's so Christian about the way we do our fundraising? Is
Christian fundraising nothing more than secular fundraising, with some Bible
verses strewn throughout our appeal letters?
I've been
wrestling with these questions throughout my career, wanting to understand what
our Christian theology has to do with our fundraising strategies and
techniques. As a result, I discovered five things I believe mark us as
distinctly Christian fundraisers, and change dramatically the way we carry out
our work. They're things I wish I'd learned a lot earlier.
1. Spirit-led, not Sales-led
God's people
give to God's work as they're led by the Spirit of God. We may agree with this
in our hearts, but approach our work as though it's really all up to us. When
we ask people to pray over their decision, we must be sincere in leaving the
decision in God's hands.
We must do
our work well by making clear presentations and a definite ask for support. But
we do not 'close the sale.' One dear faithful supporter responded to an
ask I'd made by saying to me, "I'll pray about this and trust God to lead
me in how I should respond." Then she looked intently at me and continued,
"Will you?" It's a question I ask myself now on every donor call.
2. Transformational, not
Transactional
If we ask
our donors to make a transactional giving decision, we'll fail both our
ministry and the kingdom of God. Asking supporters to give their money is
different from asking them to give their heart. Our goal is not just more
money, it's to raise up godly stewards to be rich toward God.
Transactional
gifts are here and gone. A relationship with supporters that leads to ongoing
spiritual transformation (in them and us) builds the kingdom of God, including
our ministry. Christian fundraising is a function of God's work of transforming
hearts, minds and purses. The secret that's lost on so many CEOs and boards is
this: If you take the time to participate in the transforming work God is doing
in the lives of your supporters, their generosity will follow. The very best
givers are the most faithful followers of Jesus Christ.
3. Warfare, not Welfare
When we ask
people to be faithful stewards by supporting our ministry, we're entering into
spiritual warfare. Christian fundraising is about far more than asking people
to give to the welfare of our ministries. It's challenging God's people to deny
their allegiance to the god of Mammon and declare through their generosity
their complete obedience to one Lord.
The enemy
won't take this lying down, so we need to be prepared for the battle. I've been
blessed by reading Ephesians 6:10-18 as a preparation for my fundraising work.
It calls us to put on the full armor of God, to stand firm and pray in the
Spirit. A fundraiser is a warrior, not a welfare collector. Our work is
symbolized not by an extended empty hand, but by a helmet, sword and shield.
4. Ministry, not Means
Christian
fundraising is not a means to an end, it's an end in itself. Done
faithfully, it calls people to greater obedience as godly stewards. It gives
people the opportunity to express their allegiance to one Lord, breaks the hold
of materialism in their lives, brings blessings, invites celebration and
engenders true joy.
In these
ways, Christian development work is ministry. "I'm spending so much time
fundraising, I can't do ministry." That's a common and deeply flawed
concept. If we believe our development work is simply a means (necessary evil?)
we must use in order to fund ministry, we're tragically mistaken.
When our
fundraising becomes valued as part of our mission and ministry, we approach our
supporters differently, we assess our success differently, we hire development
staff differently and we celebrate differently. And when our entire
organization understands that development work is ministry, it too will be
transformed.
5. It Starts with Me
I can't ask
others to respond as faithful, godly stewards if I'm not a faithful, godly
steward. I can't lead a development team with integrity if my own life doesn't
bear witness to a life that's rich toward God.
In one
church campaign, a pastor listed all pledges given to the campaign from largest
to smallest, and all were anonymous except his own. His intention was to
demonstrate leadership by example. Our people (and the world) are watching to
see how God is transforming us as leaders. The first step in the transformation
of our organization is our own, personal transformation. And the first step in
becoming an effective fundraiser is becoming a generous, cheerful giver.
Looking
back, I see how much my work as a leader and as a fundraiser has been affected
by these convictions. I believe there's something wonderfully unique about
Christian fundraising, and that realization has engendered a sense of joy and
satisfaction in my work. I pray it will in yours as well.
Scott Rodin, Ph.D, is president of
Christian Stewardship Association. He can be reached at rodinconsulting@aol.com.
