Re-focused Champion Development |
Dec 5, 2009 |
For weeks my wife and I have been making our Christmas list and we have checked it more than twice. Our focus has been to find that perfect Christmas gift for everyone we are buying for this year. We have checked the ads and have searched online for the best deals. This has become stressful and is starting to get less enjoyable as the days go on.
So as I walked into church today, and I am sure this wasn’t a coincidence, our church began a teaching series titled “The Advent Conspiracy.”
The Advent Conspiracy – the name of the movement – calls on churches and their members to give simpler but more thoughtful gifts that foster relationships. Christians are then encouraged to use the money they would have spent on expensive gifts to help the needy around the world.
The movements’ website states this:
“The story of Christ's birth is a story of promise, hope, and a revolutionary love. So, what happened? What was once a time to celebrate the birth of a savior has somehow turned into a season of stress, traffic jams, and shopping lists. And when it's all over, many of us are left with presents to return, looming debt that will take months to pay off, and this empty feeling of missed purpose. Is this what we really want out of Christmas?
What if Christmas became a world-changing event again?”
This movement is much more than getting upset over the use of “Happy Holidays” and not “Merry Christmas” or not shopping at those stores that ban “Christmas” references from their holiday advertising.
It’s about refocusing on what Christmas is all about and sharing it with our sphere of influence and others in our community and the world.
How does this apply to me and my cause?
Might I suggest to you that your focus this Christmas season shouldn’t be solely on meeting your needs, but those who will be championing (fostering) your shared cause to those around them. Mission Increase Foundation’s Transformational Giving Principle #6 states that, “the champion, not the organization is called to be the primary means of advancing the cause within the champions’ spheres of influence.”
Stop and ask yourself, have I spent time reminding my champions why they have connected to me and our cause? Have I reached out by calling, sending an email, or written a letter (or newsletter) that shared the purpose and reason why God has called this ministry to exist?
If the true story of Christmas was never shared by its champions, who need to be re-focused at times, what makes us think that our cause will spread if we don’t do the same?
If you get a chance check out the “Advent Conspiracy” website and see how they are connecting Christians and inspiring them to share the true meaning with others in the world. And while you do, notice how you might incorporate some of what they do in your champion development efforts.
