You Can’t Take It With You…

Counting Forever

In the inaugural issue of the newsletter A Higher Purpose, published by the Great Commission Foundation, Campus Crusade for Christ president Steve Douglass says, “Frankly one thing that doesn’t count forever is wealth that is left over at the end of our lives, wealth unused in any worthy cause whatsoever. From a biblical point of view, you see that some day, eventually the end will come. As we read 2 Peter 3:10, we see that the earth will be burned up, there will be nothing left — just an ash heap. On that day, in the midst of all these ash heaps, the only thing a wealthy person will be able to say to a poor person is, ‘Oh look! My ash heap is bigger than your ash heap!’ Not significant!”

As we strive for significance, it is wholly appropriate that we should call others to significance as well, to join us in the quest, to make something of eternal value during our earthly lifetime.

 

* Like what you just read and want to learn more? Check out, More Than Money: The Truth About High-Capacity Givers.

Ministry is about Relationships

This week, I will renew relationships.

God values long-term relationship. This is the essence of biblical community.

There’s nothing quite like ministry to challenge relationships.

I know God has called me; I have a God-given vision — so I naturally feel strongly about the tasks that make up my mission.

Which means that when someone disagrees, my instincts won’t tend toward listening quietly, responding gently, loving warm-heartedly. No. My instincts will tend toward outrage! Disgust! Righteous indignation!

Spend a few years in ministry, and you’ll probably have numerous opportunities for grudge-holding … and possibly even a few die-hard enemies. Or at least a short list of people you’re not speaking to.

But God seems to value my relationships even more than he values the tasks I’m accomplishing in the course of my ministry. There’s very little in the Bible promoting hit-and-run relationships. Hebrews 13:1 says, in the New International Version, “Keep on loving each other as brothers.” In the old days it was translated, “Let brotherly love continue.” In the original Greek, the word is meno — keep on — continue. It’s an ongoing concept.

In John 13:33,34, Jesus said very directly, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Interestingly, he didn’t say people would recognize our discipleship by the accomplishment of our God-given vision for ministry. Indeed, if I have to choose between succeeding in ministry and succeeding in relationships, Christ’s priority is success in relationships!

The high value that God places on community should inspire me to go beyond the repairing of broken relationships; I need to take the initiative in finding ways to encourage long-term relationships. What is my ministry’s relationship turnover ratio? The people I serve with in ministry — my fellow-workers, our volunteers, donors and supporters — how frequently are people quitting, getting tired, feeling burned-out, drifting away? Are there ways I could make workers feel more loved … or make donors feel more appreciated … or make volunteers feel more valuable?

It is literally true — more than just a cliché — that my ministry would not be the same without the specific individuals who are involved in it right now. 1 Corinthians 12:18 says, “in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.” Each worker, volunteer, and donor is making a very real difference. They are as certainly “called by God” to my ministry as I am!

How can I express love to them this week?

My Prayer for the Next Seven Days… God, help me to love the people I work with, and the people who make my ministry possible. And guide me specifically — even if it seems uncomfortable to me — into a renewal with someone whose relationship with me has been broken. Bring healing, by the power of your love; and use me, however you see fit, to be an agent of that healing. Amen.

Grab Your Readers

From “Katya’s Non-Profit Marketing Blog.”

Mark Rovner points out in a recent blog post, “Our brains evolved long ago to strain through the billions of sensory inputs for a few morsels of relevant info. If we can’t eat it, mate with it, or run away from it, we ignore it.”

In other words, if we know what’s coming, and it’s not critical to our survival, we don’t care.

That means you can’t start that appeal with the same old, same old, same old.  Your first lines really matter.  If they don’t grab you,they don’t matter.  I have always spent the most time on the first line of everything I’ve written – from the time I was a journalist to today.  That’s time well spent.

Are your first lines fresh?  If they aren’t, don’t despair.  My favorite writing trick is to delete the first paragraph of any piece of writing.  I’ve recommended this for so many organizations. Take look – is it better when you skip the part that was you, warming up?  Cut to the chase.  The pursuit of what comes next is what keeps us reading.

Supervision / Management Tips

From the NPT…

Many supervisors view their jobs as making sure they oversee as many cringing peons, grateful to hang on to their jobs no matter how wretched, as possible. It’s the American way in 2012, isn’t it?

Carlye Christianson, senior counsel and director of special projects for the Nonprofit Risk Management Center, doesn’t think so. She sees supervision as overseeing productivity and progress, in addition to coaching and mentoring. She sees low morale, poor performance and increased turnover as problems. Go figure.

During a recent Risk Management and Finance Summit for Nonprofits, Christianson reviewed the power of supervision (as she envisions it). For example, she offered her 10 keys to effective supervision:

• Provide support for development;
• Establish an open-door policy and one-on-one meetings;
• Praise and encourage;
• Set high expectations;
• Require accountability;
• Ensure understanding and buy-in to mission and vision;
• Instill independence;
• Share;
• Create ownership; and,
• Evaluate strengths and weaknesses.

She also reviewed common supervision mistakes:

• Supervising too closely;
• Failing to keep employees informed;
• Failing to connect employees with the organization’s mission (or “soul”);
• Failing to listen;
• Ignoring team dynamics; and,
• Failing to be available.

In addition, Christianson talked about performance management, not just supervising, but getting the most out of everyone.

• Allow employees to develop to full potential;
• Allow the organization to have informed and accurate information regarding career development, training needs, etc.; and,
• Develop information in a setting that allows employees to not be defensive and to respond favorably to feedback.

A Prayer about Jesus’ Desire for Us and Delight in Us

A Prayer about Jesus’ Desire for Us and Delight in Us.  Wonderful devotional prayer…

Thank Donors

1. KNOW YOUR DONOR: Capture information on how your donors gave and what appeal they are supporting.  Did they give in response to a special appeal or at an event?  Were they asked to donate by one of your donor champions who was running a race to raise money for your cause?  You need these details to properly thank and cultivate them.

2. ALWAYS THANK YOUR DONORS: Always.  No exceptions.

3. THANK THEM EARLY: You should thank your donors within a few days of their gift.

4. THANK THEM OFTEN:  Thank your donors several times, over time, and keep reporting back on the difference they have made.

5. THANK THEM ACCURATELY: Make sure you have correctly spelled the donor’s name, stated the amount and date of the donation, included appropriate language for tax deductions and carefully note if the gift was made in honor of someone else.

6. EXPRESS GRATITUDE: Say how pleased and thankful you were to get the donation.

7. FOCUS ON EMOTION: Tell a short, wonderful story or use a specific example that shows what the donor is making possible.  This is important so all donors feel great – and donors new to your cause grasp what it really means.  You want to tug at the heartstrings and bring your mission to life.  Some fun ideas: Take photos of your work and slip one of those into a mailed card.  Have a beneficiary write the thank-you email.

8. GIVE THE DONOR CREDIT: Your communications to your donors should use the word “you” a lot more than the word “we.”  Give your donors credit for what you do in every piece of outreach.  Be constantly on the lookout for ways to recognize your donors – in your annual report, on your website and at your events.

9. BE SPECIFIC ABOUT IMPACT: Make very clear how you will use the money and tie that impact back to the solicitation that was sent.  If you sent an appeal to save puppies, talk about how many puppies you will save!

10. MAKE IT PERSONAL: In addition to addressing the donor by name, you want to sign the appeal from a real person.  No “dear friend” or “dear supporter” salutations and no nameless signatories!  We recommend you get creative with who “signs” your electronic and mailed letters – a board member, a volunteer, a beneficiary can add significance to your acknowledgement.

Work for God

This week, I will consciously give my work to God.

Excellence is a godly virtue, not just an old saying. If you try to do ministry “on the cheap,” you’ll forfeit ministry opportunities.

How fancy? How plain? Should my ministry look like a Broadway production? Or a humble storefront outpost?

The slaves of Colosse — a declining Turkish city in the days of Paul the apostle — could have been excused for doing shoddy work for their masters, who were by and large corrupt pagans or carnal Christians. Paul nevertheless admonished them to strive for excellence. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart,” he said in Colossians 3:23, “as working for the Lord, not for men.”

A carpenter-slave, then, should assemble a chair the way he would assemble it if Christ himself might walk through the door for a spot-check at any moment.

A chef-slave should cook a meal — even for the crankiest customer — as if Jesus were sitting at the table.
Likewise for those of us in ministry. (Sometimes we feel like slaves, don’t we!) If Jesus were at the planning table … if Jesus were in the congregation … if Jesus were going to check my work later … how would I do it right now?

So then, how should my ministry “look,” or “feel”? There’s no correct answer to the “plain or fancy” question. One person is led by the Spirit of God to present a modest, simple product, sensing keenly that this will please the Lord. The next person is led by the same Spirit to present a fabulous marvel — with the same confidence that this is exactly what Jesus will delight in.

The common denominator is hearing from God … and pursuing that God-given vision with fervor, insisting on excellence within the parameters of God’s dream for my ministry.

People have different tastes, and they tend to gravitate toward ministries with tastes similar to their own. But regardless of taste, people respond to excellence — to the sensation that someone cared enough to give an effort their best. The excellent program you produced for radio or television, the excellent church service you prepared for Sunday morning, the excellent spreadsheet you presented at the ministry marketing meeting … each one makes the unspoken statement: “I did this for my Lord.” And that level of quality — the passion for God that generated it — draws people. It’s uncommon in our world. People notice. And the one they notice isn’t me … it’s Jesus.

My Prayer for the Next Seven Days… God, I give you my work. I give you my ministry. Help me to see the face of Jesus in those I’m serving. Inspire me to give you my best; strengthen me for the sake of offering you something excellent, something worthy of you. I thank you, my Father. I pray this in Christ’s name. Amen.

Colossians 3:22-24
‘Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.’