It’s almost two decades since Thom Jeavons and I identified a holistic perspective on Kingdom work as essential to fundraising that grows givers’ hearts. From then until now, I’ve continued to advocate for faith-based nonprofits as organizations where competition and gift-envy have no place.
As an antidote to scarcity thinking, I’ve encouraged stressed-out fundraisers to watch for everyday evidences of God’s abundance. And I’ve reminded ministry folk that God has no favorites — that all work done in God’s name is precious in God’s eyes.
These many years into my sermon on fundraising as ministry, I wish I could report a wane in competition among faith-based nonprofits. But that would be fake news. Truth be told, I see as much jostling for funds, friends, and position now as back in 2000.
But here comes a glimmer of change from Peter Greer and Chris Horst of Hope International.
Writing in Outcomes, the magazine of the Christian Leadership Alliance, the duo highlights “new examples of generous kingdom partnerships” based on “rooting for rivals” over the usual duking it out for resources and status. Their illustrations range from a big-scale collaboration among ten Bible translation agencies to the open-handed approach of a small-city pastor committed to forging creative partnerships for the good of his hometown.
The authors acknowledge that “working together across organizational boundaries can feel complex and messy and laborious. But it can be powerful.” And always worth it.
In the curious, upside-down way of the kingdom of God, God converts our competing into rooting and our rivals into allies. Rooting for our rivals is an invitation to view organizations not as grand murals but as pieces of a mosaic created by and for our Master Artist. Intentional collaboration empowers the Body of Christ to participate in more significant initiatives with far greater impact.
To which I add that shutting the door on competition, opens the way to a different approach to fundraising. One that seeks to grow givers’ hearts on pace with growing the organization’s bottom line.
Confident in God’s great abundance, development staff who’ve swapped fundraising as transaction for fundraising as ministry do not fret that the heart-attachments of God’s people are many and varied. Nor are they threatened when a new (even similar) nonprofit shows up in the neighborhood.
Secure in the confidence that there’s plenty for all, they are free to let donors follow their hearts as the Spirit leads. Rivals no more, they expect “outrageous generosity as leaders collectively pursue a calling higher than any one organization’s agenda.”
Then maybe, when those who come after us speak of this time, “they will talk about the miraculous ways God worked in and through the church to bring hope, truth, and joy to our world.” In that day, they will speak of rivals no more.
Along with Greer and Horst. I can image no greater success.
For more on the topic of collaboration, see:
Riding the collaboration bandwagon
You always challenge and inspire and encourage me. This article pierced me. It was a much-needed, spot-on read. Thank you!
Thank you, Beki, for letting me know that this article was an encouragement/challenge to you. Even after all these years, I need to remind myself that when we do our part (no getting around this), God is in the work and good things happen. Blessings on your work there in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
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