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We hope you enjoy this special conference edition of CSA's Stewardship Connections! You'll be inspired as you read through some of the highlights from the CSA conference in Denver last month and encouraged as your peers share powerful insights from their experience on this month's focus—biblical foundations of stewardship ministry. Serving
the Lord with you,
CSA
Conference Highlights
The response to over 60 speakers was overwhelmingly positive. Read what your peers who attended had to say about the experience. The dynamic plenary speakers at the CSA conference last month were fantastic! Here's a snapshot of some of the presentation highlights to energize you in your stewardship ministry.
Plan now to attend next year. The conference takes place January 10–13, 2007, in Dallas, TX. Call CSA at 847/375-4741 for more information.
In
Their Own Words: Your Peers Talk About the CSA Conference Being new to development, I was intimidated by the crowd of seasoned professionals all around me. However, I soon discovered a sense of fellowship and friendliness at the dinner table on the first evening. The best part of the CSA conference? The workshops. It was there that I realized I was not alone! I found many others (with far more experience) are facing the same challenges and questions. What a relief to feel, for the first time, I wasn't the only one searching for answers. More than all of the helpful strategies, thoughts, and ideas (and there were many), being around other professionals sharing my same struggles was encouraging. The workshops and speakers were very encouraging and edifying. I look forward to attending CSA next year. John Hagmann One of the highlights of every CSA conference I have ever attended is the way in which God sets my agenda and literally one Divine appointment after another occurs. And in the process, I'm blessed with renewing old relationships and establishing new ones. There is way more to it than that, but my fingers are very tired [from responding to e-mails after coming back from a trip]. Jim
Loscheider The conference gave me many practical answers to my questions. The CSA Conference raised many issues that I had not been aware of, and helped me process them. Butch Maltby was terrific. Great information, presented in an engaging manner. He was so upbeat, the time just flew by. He left us all wanting more. Pat McLaughlin was fantastic. He started with the basics, but presented them in a fresh way. Then he led us through extremely practical exercises that we could use on our first day back at work. All this at a breakneck pace and with a great sense of humor. Ray
Gonzalez When the time comes around each year for the CSA Conference, I find myself dreading the time away from the office and pressing issues until I get to the conference. Then it is so rich and fulfilling to renew 20-year-old friendships and be challenged by folks from so many varied backrounds. It is always a time of meaningful fellowship and encouragement. Greg
Ring CSA is family. It's the union and reunion of friends who bring ministry vision, resources, and opportunities together. Every conference brings the joy of seeing those who are on a similar journey to find God's best as we understand and practice the stewardship of our lives and ministries. See you next year! John
Savage The
conference timing, at the beginning of the year, is a big help in
energizing and verifying my goals and plans for the rest of the
year. The last workshop I attended, "Winning The Battle For
Your Donors' Hearts," by Barry McLeish, tied a bow around all
I learned from the other great workshops: "Why do people give
to us?" They have value problems and we have value solutions.
It's all about them as donors. The
reason I came to CSA changed between the time I registered and the
time I attended. When I registered for CSA I was employed by a nonprofit
organization. When I came to CSA I had decided to become a consultant.
I invested most of my time there networking with different people.
I did, however, attend your [Mike Buwalda's] seminiar as the
moderator. Your session was extremely helpful to me and I could
tell to those that attended. The networking was very helpful. I
was able to connect with several people that I know will be of help
in the future to me. I also hope that I was of assistance to them. I loved the conference. It was wonderful and refreshing that almost every session I went to was begun with prayer. I met quite a few interesting and genuine people. I don't know if I'll get to attend another one but this one was great! Bruce
McIntosh
CSA Conference Plenary Speeches at a Glance
"A question I hope that haunts you as it's haunted me for 25 years in marriage and in ministry is ‘How am I using the stuff God gives me?'" Reflecting on that question, Michael shared this insightful quote from noted author Philip Yancey: "Many Christians have one issue that haunts them and never falls silent. For some it involves their sexual identity. For others it is a permanent battle against doubt. For me the issue is money. It hangs over me, keeping me off balance—restless, uncomfortable, nervous. I feel pulled in opposite directions over money. Sometimes I want to sell all I own and join a Christian commune and live out the rest of my days in intentional poverty. At other times I want to rid myslef of guilt and enjoy the fruits of our nation's prosperity. Mostly I wish I didn't have to think about money at all. But I must somehow come to terms with the Bible's very strong statements about money." Michael went on to share some powerful stewardship lessons from his own experience and then challenged the audience to "Be the kind of person that gives it away. Be the kind of man or woman who lives it first, and teaches it second." To order the CD of Michael's presentation, click here.
Craig and his wife support 30 different individuals and organizations on an average, annual basis, and give as much as 50% of their adjusted gross income away. This commitment stems in part from Craig's extensive study of what the Bible teaches about money and possessions. From that study, Craig shared several interesting insights and practical applications. For example, the longest fundraising appeal in the Bible is found in 2 Corinthians 8 and 9, and there is something very strange about it—you will search in vain to find what "cause" Paul is asking people to give to. Paul directs his attention instead, Craig pointed out, to the comfortable donors themselves and their need to give. In a survey of 62 appeal letters collected over 12 months, a Christian author discovered that not one focused on the reader's need to honor and obey God in their giving. Although he personally received a lot of nuture from a well-known national ministry, Craig gave up supporting this organization. Why? Because of the onslaught of form letters they sent, pleading for help with this or that new "dire" need, as if it were in the category of once-in-a-lifetime tsunami. He said he is sad to hear how many fundraisers say how successful these kinds of appeals are, and how much they depend on this sort of impulse, binge giving. Craig's simple point, he concluded, is "if we know through a thorough study of the scriptures and from the depths of our hearts that the causes for which we seek to raise funds please God, further His Kingdom, and meet crucial spiritual and materials needs, and can say with all honesty that every gift is treated with utter integrity, then it just remains for us to share our passion and need with others." To order the CD of Craig's presentation, click here.
"Most ministries are vision-rich and resource-poor," explained Crown Financial Ministries President Howard Dayton. The key to unlocking the "resource door," he contended, is helping people learn and apply God's financial principles. Howard's passion for this belief is personal. He shared how his granddad grew up in a poor rural community, went to hotel school at Cornell University, and then graduated just in time for the Great Depression, when 85% of hotels went bankrupt. Howard's granddad passed away when his dad was only 6 years old. Observing these hardships, Howard resolved to become as rich as he could as quickly as he could. Along the way, God led Howard to a Christian business partner, who introduced Howard to Christ and invited him to do a cover-to-cover Bible study on money together. Howard was stunned to discover there are 2,350 verses on the subject in the Bible. He concluded money has a huge impact on our intimacy with Christ, and that God is interested in how we handle 100% of the money He gives (not just the 10% we tithe). "Nothing you can buy," Howard has found, "feels as good as giving generously to the Lord and making progress on the road to true financial freedom." After Howard's dad died, he realized that soon he too would be with Jesus. Howard resolved that he didn't want to invest his time, resources, creativity, and influence on things that would shrink when he stands face to face with Christ. In conclusion he asked, "Have you been as faithful in handling your money, time, and influence on others for Christ, as God would have you be?" To order the CD of Howard's presentation, click here.
"In the first seasons of my life,” MOPS President Elisa Morgan began, "my natural instinct when it came to being a steward was fear. I pulled back. 'Stewardship' sounded stuffy, confusing, and complicated—something I'd for sure mess up." As a young married woman living on meager resources, Elisa's father sent her a sizeable check to help her learn how to manage money. She invested the money in the stock market. As the investment grew and grew, Elisa's heart grew more fearful and froze in place. She sat there stunned as the investment continued going down each day, until finally she managed to act when the amount shrunk to half of what her father had sent her. Fear caused her to lose what she had put in. For years, the "Parable of the Talents" in Matthew 25 has held Elisa hostage, with terrifying references to weeping and gnashing of teeth. "If I froze up with stocks, what am I going to do when God gives me something for the Kingdom?" she wondered. The conclusion usually drawn from this text, she pointed out, is "use it or lose it." That thought makes Elisa feel badly, but it hasn't changed her or motivated her. A closer look at the text refocused her attention on the person who does use their talent. And so rather than dwelling on what we haven't done, look beyond that and see what God is inviting us to do. Instead of "use it or lose it," the text, Elisa contends, is inviting us to "use it and loose it. Use it and let it go!" To order the CD of Elisa's presentation, click here.
Carey Casey was a running back in the legendary football game that inspired the movie "Remember the Titans." Yet his advice to ministry development people is the same advice his dad gave him based on a verse in Ecclesiastes: "Remember your Creator, not the Titans." To help us do that, Carey used the word "Titans" as a device to share six things every ministry development person should strive for:
To order the CD of Carey's presentation, click here.
Top
10 Ways Christian Fundraising Can Be Different (CSA Survey Results)
Although there was some acknowledgment that often the tools of fundraising are similar in the Christian and secular arenas, there were at least 10 important differences. I've summarized those differences for you below, but if you really want to get inspired and challenged, I'd encourage you to read the full responses from your CSA peers. When you get a chance, I'd suggest printing the article, grabbing your favorite drink, and then letting the Lord use these insights from the "front lines" to inspire you, challenge you, and encourage you as you serve Him.
1. The Development Person's View of God. God owns it all and supplies the increase. Development is a way to apply the Word of God. Development requires dependence on God, not skills and techniques. 2. The Donor's View of God. Believers are giving to the Lord Himself, not merely an organization. Investing in God's purposes gives donors an opportunity to watch God use their gift and multiply it. 3. The Development Person's View of the Donor. This is discipleship. The Bible places great emphasis on the giver and their need to give (sometimes not even mentioning the cause). People are stewards of what God has given, and that believer's have been called to certain good works. 4. The Development Person's View of their Job. Bathe your work and donors in prayer. Following the lead of the Holy Spirit in your organization and in the lives of donors is important. Again, depend on God, not skills and techniques. 5. The Message Delivered. Deliver hope in Jesus' name. Share the Word of God with people. Pray with people and ask for prayer. Ask God to use your communications to help people grow in faith and closer to Himself. 6. The Methods Used. Although some tools are common to nearly all fundraising efforts, the methods used should emphasize God over the goal—transformation over transactions, eternal reward over temporal recognition, and the Creator over the cause. 7. The Audience Reached. Churches share a special affinity with Kingdom causes here and around the world. The body of Christ has a responsibility and a calling to reach lost and suffering people in Jesus' name. 8. The Standards Maintained. Some Christian nonprofits have adopted written policies prohibiting certain fundraising activities that they believe would be in conflict with biblical values (e.g., serving alcohol at public events, promoting the names of donors). 9. The Internal Motivation of Donors. When people realize that God owns it all, that we are His money managers (stewards), and that God blesses us to bless others, giving becomes a path to joy, peace, freedom, and purpose. 10. The External Purpose of the Organization. Christian nonprofits exist to glorify God and ultimately reach lost and hurting people in Jesus' name. There is an eternal dimension to ministry, built on faith and rooted in love. CSA Survey Responses: Does Christian Fundraising Look Different Than Secular Fundraising? I've made a 17-year career out of asking people to donate their blood, time, and money while working for the American Red Cross, United Way, and Junior Achievement. Since joining Lancaster Bible College (LBC) as the director of the scholarship fund 3 months ago, I have seen many differences in the way the Christian community handles "fundraising." Honestly, I believe it is a very subtle difference, and I'm not sure if it's just a change in me or if there is truly a difference in the way both types of organizations operate. At LBC, everything we do is bathed in prayer (individual and team prayer). Whereas, with the three organizations mentioned above, it was always about "finding the right match" for the fundraising opportunity. I guess it's as simple as seeking God's lead versus working on my own strength. So, again, I think it may be about the individual versus the organization they are working for or the environment they are working in. Kimberley A. Woods, I've
only done fundraising in the Christian world, but I've had a lot
of contact with secular fundraisers. Trans World Radio's (TWR's)
approach is based on being on the schedule of the donor. We spend
large quantities of time trying to find out as much as we can about
them, their family, and what they believe God is asking them to
do for Him. We then try to find ways to help them with the 50-year
experience TWR has and/or tap some of our 200 partnerships to make
sure their plans are engaged and accomplished. Most of the secular
contacts I have had mainly focus on the projects and needs of the
fundraiser. It seems they find a minor handle to grab onto with
me and then they proceed to explain how I can help them rather than
what they bring to the table to help me partner with them to accomplish
a win-win for both of us. Yes, fundraising for a secular organization looks different from Christian fundraising. I have experience fundraising for both the American Cancer Society and The American Heart Association, then moved to fundraising for a private Christian high school. The two biggest differences are that Christian fundraising is eternal both in its mission and level of commitment. It is not selfish, and Christians usually can see the "bigger picture" as the fundraising process goes forward. In my opinion, I have found many volunteers involved in secular fundraising as a result of an unpleasant experience or even guilt. Of course I was with health organizations so that may be different as many had lost loved ones. Christian fundraising also seems more proactive rather than reactive. There are many scriptures in the Bible offering Christians their responsibilities. In the secular world it is often just a reaction, such as joining an organization to meet friends or achieve a certain social status. While I am able to do both, my choice will always be Christian fundraising. Bill Wigley The case for Christian fundraising is certainly different, and we function under Christian stewardship principles of Gospel motivation for giving, but the mechanics and processes are the same as secular fundraising. Acquiring new donors and moving them up the donor pyramid happens using similar techniques. At the estate-planning level there can be differences in our definition of "leaving a legacy." Christians move toward their treasure (eternity with Christ), whereas secular givers are often moving away from their treasure (everything that they will leave behind). This makes a big difference in how people view an estate gift. Ronald
Nelson Yes, Christian fundraising does look different than secular fundraising for several reasons. These are not necessarily in order of priority: 1.
Biblical fundraising does not display the name of the donor prominently
on a plaque, building, etc. Click here to read all of the responses from your stewardship peers.
Copyright© 2006 by Christian Stewardship Association |
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Michael
Easely / Moody Bible Institute President
Craig Blomberg / New Testament Professor at Denver Seminary
Howard
Dayton / Crown Financial Ministries CEO
Elisa
Morgan / MOPS President
Carey
Casey / Fellowship of Christian Athletes Foundation President
Does
Christian fundraising look any different than secular fundraising?
You will be amazed at the outpouring of passionate and insightful
responses I received when I asked your CSA peers this question recently.