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Successful Support Raising in a Suffering Economy
Last Updated July 08, 2010
By:
Steve Shadrach
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Successful Support Raising
In a Suffering Economy
What’s a support-raising Christian worker to do when things get so bad it’s more appropriate to spell it ickonomy rather than economy?! Should you do the “security shuffle,” scrambling to interview for church staff or secular positions? Afraid not. They’re slashing budgets and employees too! Yes, some of your donors’ 401K’s turned into 201K’s overnight, but God is still in control, and clinging to the six pillars I list below may help you weather the financial tornadoes intent upon wreaking havoc on the economy…and our support teams!
1. Review your calling
Go back and remember when and how God led you into this ministry and reaffirm that conviction. When you get to heaven someday and review the tapes of your life, the Lord may ask, “Do you want to view the good times first or the bad?” Guess what? From God’s perspective, these tumultuous, faith-stretching experiences may be part of the “Good Times Highlight Reel!”
2. Don’t panic
Do not send out crisis letters. People might respond once, but if you ever do it again they’ll conclude: “Either this Christian worker doesn’t know how to manage their money or they need to raise more support.” Ron Frey, veteran fundraiser, asks: “Can we count on the resiliency of our economy or the good will of the American people to support our causes?” My answer is a resounding NO! Even though the nightly news feeds peoples’ fear by likening our situation as The Great Depression 2, our security is in God, and God alone!
3. Diversify your ministry partners
Those whose main support comes from a few big “sugar daddy’s” may be in trouble when the economy tanks. For you, spread out to different cities and states, seeking to add a steady flow of new givers, even if they’re just $50, $75, or $100 a month gifts. Creating a broader base of 100 monthly donors provides so much more long-term stability than hanging your hopes on five big hitters promising to tithe from their end-of-the-year real estate deals! And studies show people are less likely to cut back on a monthly commitment they have made to an individual Christian worker than they are a general gift to a church or charity.
4. Focus on essentials, not electives
Kill your debt. Don’t take on any new debt. Build up your savings account. Repair stuff rather than replace. Get creative. Plant a garden. Pool the whole family’s incomes and expenses. Work together, and just like your struggling supporters, prayerfully distinguish between your wants and your needs.
5. Empathize with your supporters
Acknowledge to your givers the economy is suffering and they may have been affected. Ask what you can pray for them about. Be sensitive to their losses and pressures, never demanding they give, but with appreciation and humility asking them to continue to invest in God’s work through you. During these tough times, Ellis and Colleen Goldstein with Campus Crusade have committed to pray for different supporters each night and then send them a postcard telling them they did so.
6. Keep the ministry vision central
Scott Morton with the Navigators says, “We must remember we are inviting supporters to advance the Kingdom, not merely to meet our personal needs.” YWAM’s John Ray adds: “Let’s help our supporters process what is really valuable and how their investments cannot be affected by the stock market or economy.” Veteran fundraising consultant Bill McConkey shares, “We should all be making Jesus the Lord of our asset base so it goes into the Kingdom now, and when we get to heaven, God won’t have to ask us why we were such hoarders!” Finally, knowing your donors want their tightly-squeezed giving dollars to be the most strategic possible, you may want to evaluate your mission statement in order to put forth the most compelling case for support possible.
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December 2008
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In the next issue...
Is it Really More Blessed
to Give Than to Receive?
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| What is Support Raising Solutions? |
This is a free monthly newsletter focusing on crucial topics in the world of personal support raising. It is not intended for the general public or individual Christian worker, but specifically designed for support raising trainers or policy makers within ministries who focus on fulfilling the Great Commission.
Each issue will highlight a pertinent subject or question which will be followed with a "Second Opinion" from another authority in that field. We do not pretend to have all the answers. Our main goal is simply to get as many new and veteran Christian workers to their assignment quickly - and fully funded! |
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Yes, many of these viewpoints are from experienced experts, but everyone has a unique perspective. We want our website to act as a sounding board for ministry leaders around the world. What do you agree or disagree with in this article? Share your thoughts with others who are on the same journey. Log on at: www.TheBodyBuilders.net |
| About the Author |
 Dr. Steve Shadrach is President of The BodyBuilders Ministry. Like you, he and his family also live and minister off of support and do not take anything from the Boot Camps he leads. So, during these tough economic times, he joins you in trusting God to provide all that we need (Philippians 4:19). |
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Advice for Christian Workers
from Laymen around the U.S. who give:
1. Mark (CA) in real estate financing:
“Keep out of debt. Don’t fall into the materialistic trap that plagues many Christians. Reach a broader support base to get a larger number of gifts. Reduce your lifestyle and keep costs down. God wants us to have daily bread and trust in Him, not a fat bank account!”
2. Clay (AR) in marketing services:
“I encourage support raisers to engage their donors and walk with them through these difficult times. Directing them to the Lord and the promise of honoring Him with their firstfruits apply during prosperous and tough times. Ask: How am I adding value to the giver beyond just taking their gift?”
3. Scott (TX) in technology sales:
“Christian workers need to help us givers think BIG. Our vision is way too small and focused on what I have and what I need. Our God, who holds the future, has grand plans and it’s exciting to be a part. Help us keep that in focus.”
4. Lance (FL) in real estate management:
“Communicate in simple ways what your ministry is about and how our gifts are being invested. We want our funds to be impactful, so give us a sense our gift (whether it’s $100 or $1K a month) is very important.”
5. Jay (KS) a corporate attorney:
“Remember God is the Great Provider and will make available the funds necessary to carry on His work. Cultivate relationships with your support team, helping them feel connected and responsible for the great results happening with the ministry.”
Advice from Christian Ministry Leaders:
Drew Pederson with EFCA ReachGlobal:
"Churches are facing “grim economic realities” and many are cutting support for missionaries. Primarily approaching churches will not be the “preferred option to be the major source of financial support for our accepted candidates.” Our candidates need to know their audience, be prayerfully aware of their economic difficulties, but not be apologetic in their asking."
Ed Lochmoeller with American Missionary Fellowship:
“I keep stressing the need to share the vision and build relationships ‘face to face.’ We are overwhelmed that God has been increasing our support levels as a result.”
George Loring with Missions Door:
“We are seeing those missionaries who have done a good job communicating and keeping up with their supporters actually increase their support by 17%. Those that have not are slipping in support.”
Click here to see a letter Campus Crusade sent their staff on how they should ask for support in the midst of a suffering economy! |
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