You lead people to God and into more Christ-like lifestyles.
Shepherds love people into the kingdom and care for their needs. You’re ever vigilant, quietly evaluating current circumstances with an eye on the final destination. For donors, constituents and even staff, you’re helping them ask the significant questions: Where should I be during this season of life? What should I be about? Sheep can’t do that successfully without the dedicated service of a shepherd.
Your duties as shepherd are to lead your flock to where there’s nourishment and water to sustain life. You protect them from threats and go after strays. It’s pretty simple work. But for the sheep, it’s a matter of life and death.
1. Lead people to a deeper understanding of God. Share what God is doing in the world with donors, constituents and staff. Demonstrate God’s love by what your organization is doing. As they pray and search God’s Word, their faith will be strengthened, their prayer life deepened, and their involvement in your ministry will grow into a real life partnership in ministry.
2. Lead people to a deeper understanding of their own life’s mission. Faith in Christ naturally leads to good works. But donors are often pulled in too many different directions. Help them discover what God is calling them to do. Once they get the Divine “go ahead,” persuasive words and the latest disaster or that heart–rending story aren’t always necessary to elicit a response. Each time they partner with you, it’s even more meaningful because it’s their calling.
3. Lead people to Gospel generosity. God doesn’t need our gifts to accomplish His will. But we need whole-life stewardship to grow in our relationship with God. Scripture tells us that our giving should be joyful, extravagant, sacrificial and proportionate. Good stewardship helps us win the battle against the encroaching false gods and is a shining witness to our transformed lives.
4. Lead people to trust God. Godly stewardship of our lives and resources demonstrates where our trust really lies. Instead of trusting in our achievements and investments, we trust in God for both present and future needs. We listen to His voice and obey, even when it seems risky. We acknowledge that our wealth, our health, our relationships and our final destination are ultimately in His hands.
God’s Word provides the principles important for the shepherd:
Acknowledge God Owns It All. (1 Chronicles 29:14 NLT)
Celebrate Good Stewardship. (2 Corinthians 9:6-7 NLT)
Grow Faith Through Generosity. (2 Corinthians 8:3-5 NLT)
Read the complete article describing fundraiser as Shepard
Next week’s featured biblical role: You’re a Pastor