You juggle all the roles and programs that produce life-long, maturing followers of Christ.
While assuming all the spiritual roles, including shepherd, servant leader, prophet and on occasion even warrior, the successful development and fundraising professional also recognizes the essential role of pastor. And a big part of that role is managing an “institution” that produces lifelong, maturing followers of Christ. All the programs and staffing, the funding and relationships, the crisis management and brand building, all of it depends on the management skills of a pastor.
You are building a “community of faith” with a clear identity (brand) and mission for your donors, constituents and staff. Making things work well is the hallmark of a successful pastorate.
An effective pastor knows the congregation well. Even mega church pastors work to understand the demographics of who they serve. So you get to know your donors, constituents and staff with the goal of understanding their motivations, discovering areas in need, and launching teaching series to overcome false perceptions and cultivate biblical principles.
1. Understand your congregation (audience). Besides the obvious markers like age, sex and economic status of donors and constituents, you need to know what motivated their first gift and what offers they continue to respond to. Know all the ways that your “congregants” are or would like to be involved in your ministry. Whether volunteer opportunities, advocacy, or praying for you and your programs, get to know their hearts and involve them in yours. When you’re connected on a heart level you’re developing lasting relationships.
2. Get your followers to give for the right reasons. Guilt, personal obligation and self-interest are powerful motivators to generate gift income. But pastors want their flock to give for the right reasons. Help them to understand that God owns it all, anyway. Our only security is in God’s ultimate gift of His Son and our salvation. Joy only comes when our motivations are right.
3. Equip your people as wise investors. Help them recognize a good deal in ministry when they see one. Communicate eternal rewards. Even with challenging and troubled projects, we should never forget that God can take our weakness and make it work to His glory.
4. Listen to what they’re telling you. Honor your donors enough to accept the fact that God may be telling them something different than what you think you’re hearing. Good data tells you what’s eliciting an acceptable response and what’s not. Listen to your donors through your numbers. It’s good stewardship. If you’ve communicated your best and a project just doesn’t get a good response, maybe you need to re–evaluate the project, or take it to another congregation (donor group). Listening is as important a pastoral skill as speaking.
Scripture makes it clear that all believers are called to ministry within the community of faith.
Preach Bible truths. (Micah 6: 7-8 NLT)
Model Jesus’ teaching. (Matthew 5: 3-10 NLT)
Equip and empower disciples. (2 Corinthians 9: 12-15 NLT)
Read the complete article describing fundraiser as Pastor
Read the complete article describing fundraiser as Warrior
Read the complete article describing fundraiser as Prophet
Read the complete article describing fundraiser as Servant Leader