Your ministry is needed, and your work is valued.
Often, we in the field of ministry go for long times without hearing words of encouragement or hope. This economy certainly has not provided any of that, yet I challenge you to take a moment of reflection. There is still cause for hope.
Because I help research private foundations, I have followed the giving trends. You might actually be surprised at what you find. Though there was an overall decrease in giving, many foundations sought innovative ways of giving and others even increased their giving. Grants for faith-based organizations and other organizations close to people’s core values have remained fairly stable.
In other words, your story is not forgotten. People do care.
At the end of May, I wrote a post encouraging you to “pause a moment” and think about the larger story. I would like to challenge you to continue with this theme. Part of your fundraising success is dependent on your perspective after all. If “dismal,” “defeat,” and “dark” are the words you are thinking of when it comes to fundraising, you probably will not even want to bother with the process.
So what is this real sign of hope? It is something a lot larger than just fundraising. It comes back to the idea of story.
Life is a love story. This does not mean it is a picture-perfect, sappy story. I am talking about the classic romance rather. Think about it. You are engaged in a story filled with the clash of good & evil, a broad cast of characters—some of whom you never even realize have an impact on your story, fierce battles, dismal nights, small victories, and at last the hero’s return.
This metaphor has multiple applications, and I hope you think through some of them for your ministry. What is life worth if we have spent it feeling defeated? What is life worth if all I have given you is statistics on online giving and more ‘how-to’ articles? No, there is something far deeper of greater worth that we both must strive for. In fact, I would say life is worth celebrating.
Celebration is a difficult thing in the face of tragedy, but keep perspective. It does not mean a huge party, but it is the consistent delight in the hand & heart of God. Though you may not always see it, He is the wonderful author of this divine love story.
Be at peace.
I welcome your feedback as I continue writing this summer! Click here to send me an email.
--Jessica High manages research and marketing at Christian Foundation Grants (www.christianfoundationgrants.com) which is a subscription database of foundations that provide grants to faith based organizations. iDonate.com is a website (www.iDonate.com) that allows ministries to receive non cash gifts online