EDITOR IN CHIEF

Alex Cook

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  It is recommended that very church should have a stewardship committee that can encourage every member to learn and practice biblical stewardship in personal, family, work, and community life. Here are seven good reasons why a church should have a stewardship committee: Stewardship encompasses all of life but not much attention is given to its teaching and practice. Every believer needs help in their stewardship journey. The stewardship committee can plan an integrated teaching on stewardship for the church.…

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Alex Cook

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  Whether you are organizing a sacrificial dinner or a celebration dinner, you want people who come to go home thinking and talking about the event and your cause. You want to create an impact in the minds and hearts of those who participated in your fundraising dinner. Organizing a fundraising dinner that rocks entails ample preparation of six to 12 months. Write down clear objectives for the event such as the amount of money you want to raise, a…

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Alex Cook

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Do a survey in your congregation. Ask them to name five things that they currently struggle with and I am sure that one of them is financial strife. Credit card debt. Student loans. Mortgages. Utility bills. Different names—the same problem. Lack of money. As a pastor, you have a fantastic opportunity to help your congregation win financially and overcome lack through Biblical and practical teaching. Here are some ways: 1. Preach on Biblical Finances You have a captured audience that…

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Alex Cook

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Is there really such a thing as fundraising or donor fatigue? Marc Pitman of FundraisingCoach.com explained why donor fatigue is a myth. “I don’t know of any donors who are tired of giving to causes that they value, they are passionate about, they are excited to be involved in,” Pitman said. “I know plenty of donors who are being fatigued of being crappily asked.” I agree with Pitman that donor fatigue is a myth or as some would say, an excuse.…

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Alex Cook

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How is Christian fundraising different from secular fundraising? Is there a difference or do we employ the same methods and tactics that secular fundraisers use? Some of you may have attended seminars and conferences sponsored by Christian groups or you may have read books and articles written by Christians. You may have noticed that there is not much difference in terms of strategies and methods between secular and Christian fundraising. It is only during the past ten years do we…

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Alex Cook

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  Scott Rodin, in his book, The Seven Deadly Sins of Christian Fundraising, lists these seven deadly sins in fundraising: being unprepared for the battle; self-reliance over spirit reliance; money over ministry; unwillingness to invest the time; decision without discernment; activity without accountability; and stealing the glory. He summarizes the seven deadly sins this way: Plan and prepare seriously for the battle and commit never to go into your work without being spiritually-prepared. Cultivate a spirit of trust and dependence…

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Alex Cook

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  You will find a variety of fundraising best practices depending on your geographical location and the specific nature of the fundraising environment. What I would like to propose here as my four best practices focus more on the big picture of our resource development. Anchor fundraising on the vision, mission, goals of the organizations—The best fundraising practice follows a resource development plan that is anchored on the vision, mission, and goals of the non-profit organization. It provides the rationale…

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Alex Cook

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When it comes to the subject of tithing, the most quoted reference is Malachi 3:9-10 (ESV) which reads, “You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until…

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Alex Cook

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  It is everybody’s job! The leadership team sets the tone for the organization’s  fundraising efforts. The commitment of the leadership to fundraising is essential to the success of any fundraising program and campaign. Trustee Leadership Trustee leadership is important in the effectiveness of the fundraising program of the organization. As representative of society, trustees can take important fundraising initiatives not available to the President or the fundraising staff.  It will be good for the Board of Trustees to form a…

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Alex Cook

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Good planning is a pre-requisite for the success of any fundraising campaign. While we know that it is God who provides the resources for His Kingdom work, we have a responsibility to do our part in planning and implementation. Before you launch your fundraising campaign, make sure that you have the following: Well-articulated vision, mission and goals (VMG) Resource development strategic plan that is anchored on the VMG CEO involvement Board leadership Case for support Volunteers Your VMG is what…