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Development

Managing 6 Types Of Volunteers

by Ron Haas
June 1, 2020

A humorous Chinese proverb says, “He who thinks he leads, but has no one following him is only taking a walk.” Leading and following sound like simple concepts, but they are incredibly complex. It’s beautiful when it works, but all too often leaders and followers don’t work well together. Peter Drucker noted, “Managing professionals is similar to managing volunteers because they both want the same thing: interesting, meaningful work that is a good use of their time.”

Deborah faced the same challenges today’s leaders face—building a team you can trust. God appointed her as a Judge to lead the Children of Israel through a desperate time. Deborah understood the value of alignment, “When the princes in Israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves—praise the Lord!” (Judges 5:1). She wrote a song about six types of people she recruited to join her army. Your board members and volunteers fall into these six categories.

VOLUNTEERS WHO SHOW UP (JUDGES 5:14-15)

Woody Allen is credited with the quote, “Showing up is 80 percent of life.” Deborah praised five tribes who joined her and General Barak as they marched against the King of Sisera. Faithfulness is a prime quality for each volunteer – groundskeepers who mow the lawn and shovel snow, board members who set the strategic vision, and donors who give sacrificially. Showing up is 80 percent of volunteering. How can someone serve effectively if they only attend half the time?

“Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful” (1 Cor. 4:2). The Apostle Paul recognized faithfulness in several of his co-workers: Timothy, Tychicus, Epaphras, Onesimus and the faithful brothers and sisters in Ephesus and Colossae. Do you honor the faithful volunteers who serve the Lord in your organization? Just a little appreciation will go a long way in motivating your team to keep fighting the good fight.

VOLUNTEERS WHO SECOND-GUESS (JUDGES 5:15-16)

Deborah called out the tribe of Reuben for “much searching of heart.” They must have labored over their decision to help Deborah because she mentions it twice. In the end they couldn’t make a decision; indecision was their decision. Salespeople can easily read buying signals of potential customers. One type of buyer questions everything to find reasons for delaying their decision. To delay is to deny. Possibly, the buyer knows they will say “no,” but don’t want to say it, so they string along the conversation.

No doubt, those who serve this type of customer want to scream, “Make a decision already!” Volunteer recruitment is similar. Asking questions about the job description is healthy. You want your volunteers to know and agree with your expectations. However, some people get stuck in “analysis paralysis” and never decide. Like Reuben, there is “much searching of heart.” When you encounter this person, it’s best just to move on to your next candidate.

VOLUNTEERS WHO GO SAILING (JUDGES 5:17)

The tribes of Gilead, Dan and Ashur were distracted with life. Deborah questioned, “Why did Dan linger by the ships and why did Asher remain on the coast?” Don’t get the image that these tribes were lounging on the French Riviera, rather they were focused on work. In the parable of the four types of soil, Jesus taught about the seed that fell among the thorns, “the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful” (Matt. 13:22).

There are many cares of this world that distract volunteers from focusing on your ministry: kids, school, work, church, marriage, bills, health, in-laws, outlaws – the list of concerns goes on and on. Perhaps the biggest thorn is the deceitfulness of wealth. Some are too busy climbing the corporate ladder or growing their small business to devote any time serving the Lord with you.

VOLUNTEERS WHO STAND STRONG (JUDGES 5:18)

Thankfully, Deborah had a few tribes who not only showed up for work but excelled. “The people of Zebulun risked their very lives; so did Naphtali on the terraced fields” (Judges 5:18). It’s rare to find followers who will risk their lives for your organization. King David relied on his thirty mighty warriors. On one occasion, he faced the Philistines near Bethlehem and commented how much he longed for a drink of water from the well in his hometown. Three of his elite soldiers heard his words and devised a black ops mission to break through the Philistine lines just to retrieve some water for David. David was so moved by their bravery to risk their lives for him that he offered the water to the Lord in worship.

Paul wrote a stellar recommendation to the church in Philippi about Epaphroditus, “welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me” (Phil. 2:29-30). Every organization needs people who are willing to risk life and limb to advance its cause.

VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE NO SHOWS (JUDGES 5:23)

It would be wonderful if everyone in your army was a Zebulun or Naphtali, but unfortunately that’s not the case. In Deborah’s victory song, she wrote a scathing rebuke against some volunteers who didn’t even show up. “Curse Meroz,’ said the angel of the Lord. ‘Curse its people bitterly, because they did not come to help the Lord, to help the Lord against the mighty’” (Judges 5:23). You’ve probably cursed a few people under your breath who said they were coming but didn’t. This is the only time Meroz is mentioned in the Bible and the only thing we know about them is they didn’t help — not the way you want to be remembered for eternity.

Solomon warns about putting your confidence in someone who cannot be trusted, “Depending on an unreliable person in a crisis is like trying to chew with a loose tooth or walk with a crippled foot” (Prov. 25:19, GNT).

VOLUNTEERS WHO DRIVE A STAKE IN THE GROUND (JUDGES 5:24-27)

Deborah won the battle through the efforts of an unlikely hero. Jael wasn’t a skilled archer or a mighty warrior, she was just a willing volunteer who used what she had to make an impact. The King of Sisera fled the battlefield and came to Jael’s tent looking for a place to hide and rest. Jael welcomed him in, gave him some warm milk to help him sleep, and proceeded to drive a tent stake through his skull into the ground. What a powerful scene! We focus on this incredible victory but forget that it took a lot of courage and grit for Jael to take matters into her own hands. Every organization needs a few core people who believe so passionately in the mission and vision that they will do anything and everything within their power to advance its cause.

Your ministry needs a Jael fighting for you. You need volunteers — groundskeepers to board members — who will look creatively at your problems, work toward solutions, and push through all the obstacles to victory. Most of all, you need donors who believe in your cause and give sacrificially to promote your mission and vision. You are writing lyrics to your ministry song every day. Years from now what people sing about your organization will be based upon the quality of team members you recruit today. Recruit volunteers who will nail it!

Peter Drucker, “Management’s New Paradigms” Forbes Oct 5, 1998, 152-177.

Featured article post submitted by Ron Haas.

Ron has served the Lord as a pastor, the vice president of advancement of a Bible college, a Christian foundation director, a board member and a fundraising consultant. He’s authored two books: Ask for a Fish – Bold Faith-Based Fundraising and Simply Share – Bold, Grace-Based Giving. He regularly presents fundraising workshops at ministry conferences and has written fundraising articles for At the Center magazine and Christian Leadership Alliance’s Outcomes magazine.

Capital Campaigns, Donor Relations, Fundraising, Fundraising Verse of the Week, Stewardship

“Help, I’m Not Good At Fundraising!”

by Ron Haas
May 30, 2020

“For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action” (2 Corinthians 9:2).

“Help, I’m Not Good At Fundraising!”

Peter served as a board member of a youth ministry that was launching a capital campaign. The ministry leaders asked him to chair the major gifts committee. Peter responded, “I’m not good at fundraising.” Instead, he committed to match every gift dollar for dollar. Then Peter emailed his friends and asked them to join him. His first friend gave $200,000; the second gave $300,000. Soon they reached their $3 million goal.

Peter’s ministry friends teased him, “You’re a pretty good fundraiser after all. In fact, you’re better than all of us combined.”

Spur One Another On

When Paul raised relief funds for the Jerusalem church, the believers in Corinth were the first to respond and promised to give more. Paul shared their eagerness with all the other churches in Achaia and their generosity encouraged most of them to get involved. Hebrews 10:24 teaches, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”

Show Enthusiasm & Passion

Enthusiasm begets more enthusiasm. Tell your ministry impact stories with zeal. Then when God blesses you with a major gift, celebrate your donor’s generosity testimony. Encourage your donors to spur on their friends to join them in supporting your compelling case. Many people need a gentle nudge to part with their resources; a sacrificial gift inspires others toward generosity.

The most effective fundraisers on your team might not be those with professional skills, they might simply be those with passion.

Have a Spirit-led fundraising week,

Ron

Ron Haas, Vice President for The Timothy Group, has also served the Lord as a pastor, the vice president of advancement of a Bible college, a Christian foundation director, a board member and a fundraising consultant. He’s authored two books: Ask for a Fish – Bold Faith-Based Fundraising and Simply Share – Bold, Grace-Based Giving. He regularly presents fundraising workshops at ministry conferences and has written fundraising articles for At the Center magazine and Christian Leadership Alliance’s Outcomes magazine.

Fundraising Verse of the Week, Major Donors

Major Donor Prayer Team

by Ron Haas
May 23, 2020

“So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. 11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 12 When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. 13 So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword” (Exodus 17:10-13).

The lesson from Joshua’s battle against the Amalekites is crystal clear: When you pray, you win; if you stop praying, you lose. Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of the hill for a strategic view of the battlefield. Moses stood with his arms raised holding the staff of God to intercede on behalf of Israel. When do you think they realized that the position of Moses’ arms impacted the outcome of the battle? Yet, it was too difficult for Moses to continue. So, they improvised and pulled up a stone for Moses to sit on while Aaron and Hur stood on each side holding up his hands.

And The Winner Is…

Who is the MVP of this battle? Would you vote for Joshua and the army on the battlefield, Moses lifting his staff in prayer, or Aaron and Hur? The correct answer is everyone. This has a direct fundraising application. Your organization needs soldiers on the field telling your story – your leadership team, major gift officers, and board. You also need a major donor prayer team fervently praying for open doors, great conversations, and God’s favor. But this all falls apart without staff to support your efforts.

Rally Your Troops

Rally your troops to pray for your fundraising efforts. Send out regular prayer emails to your most dedicated prayer warriors. You don’t need to share details about your donor visits, just your call to action. Then when God answers, “many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many” (2 Corinthians 1:11).

Have a Spirit-led fundraising week,

Ron

 Ron Haas, current Vice President for The Timothy Group has also served the Lord as a pastor, the vice president of advancement of a Bible college, a Christian foundation director, a board member and a fundraising consultant. He’s authored two books: Ask for a Fish – Bold Faith-Based Fundraising and Simply Share – Bold, Grace-Based Giving. He regularly presents fundraising workshops at ministry conferences and has written fundraising articles for At the Center magazine and Christian Leadership Alliance’s Outcomes magazine.

Donor Relations, Fundraising Verse of the Week, Major Donors

Recruiting Donor Evangelists

by Ron Haas
May 17, 2020

“Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus” (John 1:40-42).

A board member profoundly said, “Every one of our board members should constantly be in conversations with people to find out where God is hiding money!” Some organizations schedule time in each board meeting encouraging members to identify, cultivate and solicit their friends and family. Andrew would have been a great board member! He believed John’s message and made a life changing decision to follow Jesus. Andrew became an evangelist. His first response was to find his brother Peter and tell him about Christ.

Your board members must become your greatest evangelists for your ministry telling everyone they meet about how your ministry is accomplishing incredible things for Christ. Encourage your board members to engage in these four action steps.

Believe.

You can only share your mission with enthusiasm, if you are fully convinced that your ministry is meeting critical needs. Light up your board’s passion by sharing stories of changed lives.

Find.

The first networking question is, “Who do you know?” We jump to a list of famous, wealthy people that we probably don’t know (Bill Gates). Instead, we should look closer to home. Consider prospects in your church, community, and even family who would align with your mission.

Tell.

Finding the Messiah motivated Andrew. Your ministry meets many human needs, but the most compelling message you can share is how your ministry leads people to Jesus.

Bring.

Andrew did more than share the good news with Peter, he physically brought him to Jesus. Encourage your board members to bring their prospective donors for a tour, a special event, or lunch with your executive director. Inspire your prospective donors as they experience your mission.

Andrew didn’t know it, but he brought the person whom God would use to bring many into the Kingdom. Won’t you begin recruiting donor evangelists? Perhaps God will use the person you bring to bring many to your ministry and many more into the Kingdom.

Have a Spirit-led fundraising week,

Ron

Ron Haas has served the Lord as a pastor, the vice president of advancement of a Bible college, a Christian foundation director, a board member and a fundraising consultant. He’s authored two books: Ask for a Fish – Bold Faith-Based Fundraising and Simply Share – Bold, Grace-Based Giving. He regularly presents fundraising workshops at ministry conferences and has written fundraising articles for At the Center magazine and Christian Leadership Alliance’s Outcomes magazine.

Fundraising, Fundraising Verse of the Week

Raise A Hallelujah!

by Ron Haas
May 10, 2020

“’For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you…’ 14Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel… a Levite and descendant of Asaph… 15 He said: ‘Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16Tomorrow, march down against them…’ 21Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army” (2 Chronicles 20:12-21).

King Jehoshaphat was in serious trouble. A vast army from the south was marching against Jerusalem; they were only 50 miles away when Jehoshaphat heard the news. He immediately called all Judah and Jerusalem to fast and inquire of the Lord. He prayed, “We don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” What an incredible strategic planning prayer for your ministry, your advancement department, and your personal life.

The Holy Spirit revealed his plan through someone we don’t know well. Jahaziel wasn’t a military or government leader; he was a Levite and descendant of Asaph – a worship leader. God can speak to anyone in your organization or department. Good ideas don’t just come from the top-down, many of the best ideas come from the grassroots.

In 1976, Richard Montañez was hired as a janitor for $4 dollars an hour at a Frito-Lay plant in Rancho Cucamonga, California. One day, a broken machine on the Cheetos assembly line produced some plain Cheetos. Richard took some home, dusted them with chili powder and crunched into snack history. His eureka moment became Flamin’ Hot Cheetos which has since made billions of dollars.

Not only did the Spirit give Jahaziel the plan, Jehoshaphat honored him by placing the choir at the head of the army. God blessed Judah and Jerusalem with a great victory that day. Listen intently for God’s voice for your next good idea. The answer may come from the choir!

Have a Spirit-led fundraising week,

Ron Haas

Fundraising, Fundraising Verse of the Week

We Are All In This Together

by Ron Haas
May 2, 2020

32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need (Acts 4:32-35).

The early believers faced persecution and hardship as many were disowned by their families and shunned by former friends. No doubt, some lost their jobs and homes placing them in dire circumstances. The church responded with great power and great grace banding together to care for one another. “There were no needy persons among them” because those who had resources sold their possessions and brought them to the apostles for distribution.

You should approach this current crisis in the same way. Recognize those in desperate situations and do whatever you can to meet their needs. Perhaps this has always been your ministry focus, but now your ministry and personal needs have increased beyond what you could ever imagined. All of us are coping with budget shortfalls and wondering how to navigate the next steps.

The comforting truth is, “We are all in this together.” Some parts of the body are struggling; other parts of the body are thriving. God has blessed some of your donors with abundance. Your needs are great – greater than ever before. Now is the time to share your needs with God’s people and ask them to respond generously. “And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all” (vs. 33). This powerful grace includes the grace of giving (see 2 Corinthians 8:7).

This is the first time we meet Barnabas who “sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet” (Acts 4:37). Is it any wonder his name means “son of encouragement?” Share your financial situation with your donors and you will discover who is one with you in heart and mind (vs. 32). Perhaps God will lead a first-time ministry partner named Barnabas to encourage you.

Have a Spirit-led fundraising week,

Ron Haas, The Timothy Group

Fundraising, Fundraising Verse of the Week, Major Donors

Praying For Divine Donor Appointments

by Ron Haas
April 26, 2020

“Then he prayed, ‘Lord, God of my master Abraham, make me successful today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. 13 See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. 14 May it be that when I say to a young woman, ‘Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels too’—let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master’” (Genesis 24:12-14).

How do you sort through thousands of donors on your mailing list to find the few who could help you significantly? An asset screening tool like Wealth Engine compares your database with public sources of information to identify hidden donors on your list who have capacity to give. It’s a helpful tool, yet some major donors can effectively conceal their wealth from public view. Encouraging your board members to network with contacts is also an effective way to identify new prospects, but some board members are not well-connected.

Abraham’s servant faced a challenging assignment to find a bride for Isaac. His instructions were clear—don’t look among the Canaanites, but only among Abraham’s relatives. So, he traveled to Abraham’s native land and stopped at the well outside of Nahor. Many daughters of the townspeople were coming to draw water, but how could he identify the right one? He prayed three requests: (1) for success, not for his own glory, but to serve Abraham well, (2) for God to schedule a divine appointment , and that (3) this young woman would go above and beyond to fulfill his request.

The servant did his part by showing up at the right place at the right time but knew he would only be successful with God’s intervention. As you review your donor list, pause and ask God for success, a sign, and a generous response. Then go to the well, ask, and listen for opportunities.

Donor Relations, Fundraising, Fundraising Verse of the Week, Major Donors

The Indescribable Gift

by Ron Haas
April 11, 2020

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (2 Cor. 9:15)

We take great care when selecting the perfect gift for that special person, but nothing compares with our Heavenly Father’s gift of his only Son to be “an atoning sacrifice for our sin” (1 John 4:10). Without God’s generosity to us, we would be eternally lost and without hope. Paul responded to God’s generous gift with this doxology of praise!

How should you respond to the generosity of your donors? Consider the previous verses.

Thankfulness. “This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God” (vs. 12). Share with your donors how their gift has made an eternal difference and how your whole team is thanking God because of their generosity.

Praise. “Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else” (vs. 13). Share how their faithful gift has encouraged others to praise God. Tell an impact story that would not have happened without their gift. Thank them for sharing with you and the other ministries they support.

Prayer. “And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you” (vs. 14). The greatest way to thank your donors is to pray for them. Ask for their prayer requests, spend time praying for them, and follow up to hear how God has answered.

On this Resurrection Sunday, praise God for his generous, sacrificial gift of salvation. This week, thank your donors for their generous, sacrificial gifts to your ministry.

Donor Relations, Fundraising, Fundraising Verse of the Week

Saving, Giving, and Donor Intent

by Ron Haas
April 5, 2020

Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial” John 12:7. 

One of the most beautiful scenes in Scripture occurs during Holy Week when Mary anointed the feet of Jesus. Lazarus was reclining at the table; Martha was serving when Mary took about a pint of expensive perfume and poured it on Jesus’ head and feet and wiped his feet with her hair. Immediately, the whole house was filled with its fragrance. Judas Iscariot was indignant and judged her generosity, “Why this waste of perfume?” Jesus defended her extravagance and proclaimed that she was preparing his body for burial. 

We can glean at least three applications from this passage. 

Saving. The perfume was valued at a year’s wages. Probably, Lazarus, Mary, and Martha had all been saving for a special occasion. Thrifty people are generous; they are just selective about when and what they support. A man gave an indication for a $500,000 gift for a capital campaign who had previously given only $25 a month. When asked what prompted his generous gift, he replied, “You didn’t need it until now.”  

Giving. Mary gave her elaborate gift to a friend who had walked with her for years. She sat at Jesus’ feet attentively soaking in the Word of God. Then Mary witnessed the miraculous resurrection of her brother. Receiving Lazarus back from the dead was worth far more than a year’s wages. Have you walked with your major donors through the joys and sorrows of life? Has your ministry changed them for eternity? Donors give to the degree that your ministry has directly touched their heart. 

Donor Intent. Some questioned Mary’s generosity claiming her gift could have been used for better purposes. Everyone seems to have an opinion about how others spend, invest, and give their resources. As a ministry, you must ensure that you abide by your donor’s intentions for their gift. Know your donors so well that you can align your needs with their desires. 

Jesus said that Mary’s extravagant gift would be remembered forever. What compelling reason will prompt your donors to be extravagant with your ministry? 

Fundraising Verse of the Week

Asking During A Famine

by Ron Haas
March 29, 2020

“Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. Then the word of the Lord came to him: ‘Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.’ So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, ‘Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?’ As she was going to get it, he called, ‘And bring me, please, a piece of bread’ (1 Kings 17:7-11).” 
 
Should we ask for gifts during a crisis? The conventional wisdom among fundraising professionals is to not ask but instead focus on strengthening your donor relationships. Certainly, people give to people they know and love so cultivating relationships is time well spent. But how do we reconcile this account of Elijah asking a widow for her last meal in the middle of a famine? 
 
Asking provides an opportunity for spiritual growth, but the widow pushed back, “I only have a handful of flour and a little oil in a jug” (1 Kings 17:12). Amazingly, Elijah asked a second time and shared this promise, “Don’t be afraid… ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land’” (vs. 13-14). Could God use your boldness to shake people from their fears and prompt them to give generously trusting that God will meet their needs? 
 
Perhaps the nature of the ask makes a difference. Is your need urgent? Elijah’s ask was for his immediate needs to sustain him physically. Paul asked the Corinthian church to help the believers in Jerusalem because they were destitute. We see this today. People are eager to help when a natural disaster occurs and will often put other important projects on hold. 
 
If your ministry has a direct impact helping people during this Coronavirus pandemic, you have a green light to ask. One ministry that works primarily oversees has expanded their program focus to provide emergency food and hygiene kits to struggling families in the U.S. Part of their appeal also asks for help to erase their budget shortfall as a result of the crisis. If you don’t have a direct ministry impact, don’t be tone deaf to this emergency or your donor’s anxieties. Instead, show concern for them, update them on your situation, present your needs and if the Spirit leads, ask them to prayerfully consider giving a sacrificial gift any time over the next few months before your fiscal year end. 
 
Generosity is based on faith, not finances or fear. 
 
Friend, may you have a Spirit-led fundraising week! 
Ron

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