Make it Transformational: A Blog for Champion Discipleship

The team over at 9Marks has devoted their most recent ejournal to discussing the relationship between the church and the parachurch. While there are many things to appreciate about their work, and many great articles to consider, I wanted to call particular attention to one. In his piece the “Nine Marks of a Healthy Parachurch,” author J. Mack Stiles builds a compelling case for the 9 distinguishing marks of a strong parachurch organization. One in particular that I thought had real merit is Mark #7, which states:

The healthy parachurch has a counter-cultural understanding of management and money.

After sharing his significant unease concerning the creep of corporate culture into the parachurch, Stiles contends that, “parachurch ministries need an understanding of management and money that runs counter to worldly culture.” He continues by issuing a radical call for management structures to have greater fidelity to a Biblical model, stating that “corporate leadership erodes a biblical mindset,” leading to the erosion of principle and eventually the non-profit itself.

But, I think we’ve heard this story before (Matt 7:24-27)!

He goes on to contend that this attrition relative to core values most often manifests itself in the in the acquisition of resources, to which I would heartily agree. In a move (or many moves for that matter) to expediency regarding resource development, there is often a methodological lack of discretion leading non-profits down a road of market-based tactics and an “ends justifies the means” mindset.  

Stiles continues, by pointing out that, “it’s the danger [and] pressure to raise funds that overrides the confession and mission of a parachurch ministry.” Further pointing out the glaring disparity between our Gospel confession and Biblical worldview and how often it is sacrificed when it comes to raising the necessary resources to keep the doors open. 

One thing he mentions in passing that I found encouraging, especially in light of the Mission Increase training model, where we actively seek to make much of the Scriptures is, 

“Training events for parachurch workers should focus on the Bible and on integrating the gospel into ministry; if there is time left over, some training on fund raising is okay, too. Unfortunately, the emphases are often the other way around.” 

While perhaps that’s a bit hyperbolic, I think we can agree that his point does have some merit. The Gospel is the core distinctive for the Christ-centered non-profit, not only shaping and informing our programs, but equally shaping our internal culture and our development practice as well. Or at least it should be. For it is the Gospel that reveals to us the power of God in its richest form (I Cor. 1:18), serves as our daily protection in the work (Eph 6:10-20), transforms us into image and likeness of Christ (II Cor 3:18), stirs in us a deep affection for our brothers and sisters, such that we would desire, like Paul, to share our very lives as well (I Thess 2:8)...and we could say much more. The Gospel is the demonstration of God’s love towards us (Rom 5:8) and the thing that shapes our ethic of love towards others – which in everyway should and must inform how we carry out our calling as development staff.   

Well, Stiles concludes in this way:

"Bottomline: healthy parachurch ministries need to issue constant, radical, internal calls for the organization to be driven by the gospel rather than by management principles, finances, and fundraising. That way, the ministry looks like a ministry from top to bottom."

Amen and amen. While conventional wisdom adds value to the conversation, its Biblical wisdom that has teeth. I pray that these radical calls to be driven by the Gospel would lead each of us into deep places of meditation relative to our practice and that our perspectives might be re-shaped by the power of the Gospel itself. Might we be people marked by the change that Christ has worked in us, and might that change influence the way we invite others experience life that is truly life (I Tim 6:17-19). 

Why do Christian leaders have a hard time asking for gifts, even when scripture commands Christians to give back to the Lord what is already His?  And their jobs as champion developers (as opposed to fund developers) requires asking.  Let’s take a look at a few of the key reasons many of us don’t look forward to asking Christians to give to the cause we represent:

• Lack of confidence
• Fear/nervousness
• Not sure what to say/how to open conversation
• Don’t know how to handle rejection
• Conviction that a donor’s giving is none of their business

A lack of confidence is fairly common, as many of us don’t have the training or experience we need to feel secure in the asking process.  It’s amazing how the proper training, tools, practice, and prayer can lead to assurance, confidence and security in ourselves and in the role of asker.

It’s also common to feel nervous or be fearful when you are approaching someone for a gift.  You are unsure about what they are going say and you are nervous about how you should respond.  You also don’t want to be responsible for the champion saying no to your ask, which makes us even more nervous about the outcome.

Without proper training and practice, many of us are not sure what to say or how to open conversation.  You need to spend the time preparing and writing down your thoughts, how you plan to open the conversation, what you will say to build toward the ask, and what you want to ask for.  You’ll see an example later in the workshop.  This is not the place where you want to take a shortcut and just expect to “wing it”.

Not many of us crave rejection and most of us don’t know how to handle it very well.  First off, YOU are not being rejected and should not feel as though you are.  You need to get past the feeling that the champion is saying no to YOU.  They are simply saying they cannot give to your cause at this time.  This does not mean the end of the relationship, in fact, it means you have a renewed opportunity to engage the champion in PEO.

And another reason Christians have a hard time asking for money is the conviction that giving is between them and God and should be kept personal.  Some feel that if you make the need known and pray with faith believing God will provide, then asking isn’t necessary.  Yet, as we see in I Timothy 6:18, Paul is telling Timothy to “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.  In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”

God is commanding (instructing, telling, in other versions) Timothy to command others to be generous and willing to share.  We, as Christian leaders, are called to do the same.

Why is this so important to Paul?  Verse 19 give us the answer by saying that we should put our riches where they will matter for eternity, so that we may enjoy life in its fullness, the way God intended it for us.

So why should you ask others to give to your cause?  So they will not put their hope in the wealth of this world, which might lead them to wander from the faith, but instead lay up treasures for themselves in heaven and take hold of the life that is truly life!

Learn how you can move forward with confidence in asking others to give to your cause by attending our free March workshop entitled, “The Transformational Ask: Your Ask is a Gift.”  Check out our website for dates and locations near you.

Each morning at 5:30am when my alarm goes off I have to say these words to myself, “Slow is better than No.”

The reason I have to speak these words is because at 5:30am my body does not want to get out of bed and begin my exercise routine for the day. I find myself struggling with thoughts that I really don’t feel like pushing myself too hard and since I am not in the mood to commit to giving it the full 110% then I shouldn’t even try.

The result of turning off the alarm, and not trying for the day, simply keeps me at a place in my life where I don’t want to be……so I press on. As I press on (by the way...usually starting slow) I find myself moving to the place I want to be and achieving the results that I have sought.

These words I use “slow is better than no” don’t only ring true for what I need to do physically, but I must confess, at times I have to use these words to motivate me in other areas of my life as well.

If you are at all human you probably struggle just like I do and need something to motivate you to press on.

What will it take for you to move out of your comfort zone?

I find that quite a few ministries are struggling to free themselves of old development habits. They are stuck in that comfort zone of transactional development strategies. Reality is that they aren’t comfortable at all…but they’re complacent.

They know within their hearts and minds that they need to implement practices that would help engage and disciple their donors in relation to their cause, but nothing changes.

What will it take for them fully implement Transformational Giving Principles in their development work?

My challenge for them and to you is to take a closer look at Mission Increase Foundation’s Transformational Giving Principle’s and begin to apply them to your life. Not just to read them (but that would be alright since slow is better than no), but then to understand them (seeking God for His insight) and then to implement them in your own personal life and the life of your organization as well.

I believe as you step out and go for it; you will find yourself moving beyond what you thought you could do. And when you do…you will love the results!

Also, don’t forget to register for this month’s MIF workshop and subsequent consulting which will help you in your efforts to press on…….Philippians 3:14

If you are a regular reader of this blog, or frequently attend Mission Increase workshops (if not, definitely look into it!), you’ll know we talk a lot about helping champions (formally known as donors) grow to maturity in their Christian walk as they interact with us and the cause God has placed us in.

It is what Transformational Giving is all about - teaching people what it means to give in such a way that it is a collaboration between them and God; where His grace is infused in our lives so that we may be free to give to the people and purposes He has drawn us to.

What a joy to give in this way!  Yet, it doesn’t happen naturally.  It takes wise spiritual leaders (parents, pastors, parachurch leaders, etc.) to teach us what it means to give in this manner, as well as challenge us to take steps to act on what they’ve taught so that we REALLY learn it.

That said, let me talk to you as a parachurch leader.

How are you intentionally teaching your champions about transformational giving? This includes giving of their material wealth, but certainly is not limited to that.  God has granted each one of us MANY gifts and it is each one of those gifts that we should be concerned with.  How might your champions use their various gifts in ways that transform not just the recipient of those gifts, but the giver of those gifts as well?  Are you helping them find the answer to this question, AND providing them opportunities to do so?

It’s all about intentionality and that’s where our PEO grid comes in (PEO = Participation, Engagement, Ownership).  This grid is a great tool in understanding where people are in relation to the cause because once you know that, you can begin being intentional in how you train them and challenge them in the cause.

Next time I’ll share some questions on how to begin learning more about your champions and where they are in relation to the cause.  For now, let me challenge you...if you’ve not developed a PEO grid for your organization, get with your local Giving and Training Officer and begin the process.

I don’t know who said this: “Change is inevitable, growth is intentional.” but there's a lot of wisdom packed into it!

Suzanne

This past year I have noticed a few organizations who’ve closed their doors (and a few that seem like the end is inevitable) all cease to exist because they have failed to hold one another accountable for what they do. Either the leadership felt like accountability was something that wasn't needed, or they didn't understand that they should be holding themselves, and others, accountable to see that the cause (they mutually care so deeply about) is making an impact.

If you had read an article recently written by Audrey Barrick in The Christian Post, you would also say many simply don't see accountability as important.

Is accountability important even if some don’t view it as such? Sure it is!

In this article written by Barrick, titled "Survey: 1 in 20 Christians Cite Accountability in the Church," she states that “Only 5 percent of Christian adults indicated that their church does anything to hold them accountable for integrating biblical beliefs and principles into their life.”

As a Christian non-profit you are no different than the church when it comes to connecting with and growing your champions.

George Barna, director of the survey that Barrick cites, stressed that mutual accountability is one of the cornerstones of the biblical concept of community. He continues, "With a large majority of Christian churches proclaiming that people should know, trust and obey all of the behavioral principles taught in the Bible, overlooking a principle as foundational as accountability breeds even more public confusion about scriptural authority and faith-based community, as well as personal behavioral responsibility."

No wonder many churches and organizations no longer exist.

Do you see the need for accountability for what you and your champions do or don’t do?

What are you doing to hold your champions accountable? Do you help them integrate biblical beliefs and principles in their life as they connect with you and your cause?

Mission Increase Foundation's Transformation Giving Principle #5 says that, "transformational giving relationships between champions and organizations are primarily peer-level accountability relationships, not friendships or organizational support relationships."

This doesn't imply that we can't have friendships! What it does mean is that we must hold each other accountable to see that something we care about is making or having an impact.

My challenge today is that we would not be listed as one of the 19 of the 20 that don’t care (or have a plan) to help those who connect with us to grow.

We must realize that accountability is the key by which all of us (who are connected) grow and find encouragement in what we are a part of.

As the New Year begins I would like to encourage you make this Transformational Giving principle a priority as you seek to connect with your champions in a greater way in 2011.