American Society for Church Growth - Book Review
Growing Givers‚ Hearts: Treating Fundraising As Ministry
The subtitle of this book, "Treating Fundraising as Ministry," captures the essence of Growing Givers‚ Hearts. The authors, Jeavons and Basinger, make a strong case for Christian fundraising to be more than just raising money. Christian fundraising has to be more than manipulation of donors. Christian fundraising must be ministry-oriented.
The heart of the book includes six essential characteristics of fundraising as a ministry. These characteristics are:
1. Confidence in God‚s Abundance. The fundraiser must have a deep conviction that God will provide the necessary financial resources. The emphasis of the fundraiser must be on God's grace and the ministry the money supports, as well as the lives of the people who will be served.
2. A Holistic Perspective on Kingdom Work. Fundraisers must allow potential donors to follow their hearts. This requires a great deal of patience and trust on the part of fundraisers.
3. Clarity About Core Theological Beliefs. Theology does matter. This characteristic will impact all levels of fundraising, including the hiring of personnel.
4. Giving Donors Opportunities for Participation. Donors want to participate in the ministries they support. This will require much work and planning on the part of fundraisers.
5. Integrated Organizational Planning. This type of planning will provide the needed consistency and accountability.
6. Spiritually Mature Leadership. As in most enterprises, mature leadership is a necessity. Finding spiritually mature leaders who have a distinct calling to fundraising presents a great challenge.
The authors lay a good scriptural foundation for stewardship. They use both the Old and New Testaments to conclude that giving which brings glory to God requires gifts given out of a desire to express one‚s appreciation for God.
This book should be necessary reading for any and all who have Christian fundraising responsibilities.
Reviewed by Jimmie Sheffield, Associate Executive Director of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, Little Rock, Arkansas.
This review was originally published in Strategies for Today's Leader.