182 Fundraising... Blessing or Nightmare?

Fundraising… Blessing or Nightmare? (Answer: They can be both.) Usually you are either a good at: Ministering to people or 2. Fundraising (Occasionally some are both.) But it doesn't matter. It's not about you, it's about God. It's about you transferring your knowledge and your abilities to others. When you're not good at something, then you find somebody else that is. We often say if we show by example and do it, all the people will follow our example of doing. Most of the time that's not true. You must do a little show a lot and handed over. What we want to do is rescue people when they start failing. All that means is now we are discouraging them to think that we are better than them and that we will have to rescue them… and guess what? They'll let you. You need to help them find a way to win, but never win for them. That's what Jesus did for his disciples. He did not win for them (and at times they were frustrated), so He would say… do it this way. Do you believe God has placed you in the most important ministry that the church has to offer? Best Fundraisers EVER: The ones your student's parents are running… Not you! My biggest fails were the fundraisers I ran. Why? Because it shows me as an incompetent leader! You and I are there to lead, inspire, and teach… not to do what other people are suppose to be doing. Allow them to use their gifts. The ones that take no time and effort away from your ministry.  The ones that will make $5k, $10k or $50k. No show Banquets, setting up fundraising meetings with people who already believe in the program and ask them to donate to a specific trip, retreat, discipleship weekend, conference, etc. (Mission trips are separate from this, they usually sell themselves if you do the right things). These can be short meetings or long depending if the individual or couple wants to talk longer. Be respectful of the person's time. The best ones repeat each year.  Ask… Seek… Knock 7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 "Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Always pray and ask God for His guidance in raising the funds needed. If the project doesn't excite you it won't excite others. _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book "Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder's Guidebook" here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq _______________________________ EPISODE CREDITS Email us at: [email protected] Hosted by: Doug Edwards Theme Song: "The One and Only" by The 808 : Listen to more at https://bit.ly/3FTYIAJ Intro/Outro Voiceover: Michael Helms : https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelTheSoundGuy  Edited by: Secret Roots Music House