Christian Leadership Alliance

Funding the Vision

Rediscovering Fundraising in Light of the Generous Heart of God

In Finding God in Unexpected Places, Philip Yancey relates that one month he saved and analyzed every fundraising appeal he received. He found that, of the 62 items, the appeals from the Christian organizations looked just like the appeals from everyone else, using all the same gimmicks. Not a single one focused on Yancey's need as a Christian to honor and obey God with his giving. Why is this true?

In reality, most Christian money raising (including in the church) is modeled after secular marketing transactional practices — doing whatever it takes to achieve the financial bottom line. For example, solicitations often encourage supporters to give for what they can get in return (tax deduction, premiums, naming opportunity, etc.), instead of challenging them to come closer to the heart of God.

It was out of this concern for the prevailing direction of fundraising in Christian organizations that 23 scholars (including three seminary presidents) and practitioners were assembled to develop ...

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