MINISTRY PARTNER DEVELOPMENT

Practical Tips on Personal Support Raising in a Tight Economy A Webinar for The Mission Exchange Ellis F. Goldstein Director of Ministry Partner Development Campus Crusade for Christ

Giving Connects People to the Heart of God God’s promise to fund His vision transcends the economy. (Philippians 4:19) Givers need to give when there’s abundance. (I Chronicles 29) Giving demonstrates personal devotion to the God. People need to be challenged to be consecrated to God. Giving demonstrates integrity of heart.

Perspective: Giving Connects People to the Heart of God God’s people need to give, no matter what their financial circumstances are. Widows’ 2 mites (Mark 12:41-44) Elijah and the widow (I Kings 17) Generosity of the Macedonians (II Cor. 8:2) The giver needs to give far more than any person or cause has the need to receive. No matter how desperate the need, the giver’s need to give is far greater.

Giving During Economic Downturns From the Generous Giving Website The Great Depression and Today: In 1933, the worst year of the Great Depression, per capita income was at the lowest point it would reach between 1921 and 2000, whether measured in current or inflation- adjusted dollars. Yet per member giving among the 11 primary Protestant denominations (or their historical antecedents) in the United States and Canada as a percentage of income was 3.3 percent. In all the prosperity of 2000, per member giving was only 2.6 percent.

What Christian Workers are Most Likely to be Affected The Perfect Storm: Who is at risk? Those who have a get-by mentality and make excuses for not working on their support. Those who only work on support when they are forced to do so. (Prov. 6:6-11).

What Christian Workers are Most Likely to be Affected Those with serious debt. The cultural norm is that nothing is wrong with debt. The Christian worker in debt--a symptom of the belief that “God cannot possibly provide.” Those who have not cultivated a generous spirit (promise of Phil 4:19 made to those who were giving).

Who Will Weather the Storm Those who know they are called. Those who have a compelling vision and know how to communicate it. Those who have cultivated good support raising practices and habits over the years. Those who plan ahead. Example of the ant who stores up for the harvest. (Prov. 6:6-11) Joseph who planned for the years of famine. Diversified portfolio.

The Imperative to Create a Positive Support Raising Culture In order for your staff to be at their full funding, your organizational culture may need to make significant changes. Raising support is a significant spiritually activity. It connects both the staff member and the financial partner to the heart of God. Don’t allow leaders or your staff members to propagate the mentality that the mission is more spiritual than providing for your family. Provide opportunities for your staff to work on their support. Don’t penalize them.

The Imperative to Create a Positive Support Raising Culture A culture that communicates that full funding is important and expected. Change the organizational chart. Place support development under HR/Member Care/Leadership Development. Don’t treat support raising as an operational or an administrative activity.

The Imperative to Create a Positive Support Raising Culture Develop objective standards. Standardize support goals (salaries, ministry expenses, etc.) Develop a base line (our Level 1). Aggressively create a coaching system which helps to ensure healthy accountability. Give your people proper training. Anchor it biblically. Acknowledge that support is Armenian-not once raised always raised.

The Imperative to Create a Positive Support Raising Culture There will always be a tension between the urgency of the ministry and a staff member’s support. Raising support needs to be part of every Christian worker’s job description and personal development plan.

Support Development Must be Intentional “….it normally takes intentionality to become better at something...” (Steve Douglass, Campus Crusade for Christ President) Avoid a crisis mentality. Develop an annual plan and stick with it.

Support Development Must be Intentional Pray specifically for several ministry partners each day. Send a postcard to let your partners know you prayed for them. Cultivate relationships with your partners. Commit to consistent communication-prayer letters. Apply the 20/80 rule. Most likely a small number of partners provide 50% of your support. Personalized, handwritten notes. s Make 5 “care calls” per week. Send birthday and anniversary cards.

Support Development Must be Intentional Raise needed support. A support development plan needs to be specific. Who will I contact? How will I contact them? When will I do it? If the support need is urgent, alter your schedule to work on it. Create accountability-have a support coach come alongside you.

Contact Information and Resources Ellis Goldstein (o) Kevin DiFelice (o) Funding Your Ministry by Scott Morton (Dawson Media) Training