|
|
|||||
|
|||||
| Path: Main Street : Resources & Library : Book Reviews : Book Review |
Growing Our Givers' Hearts: Treating Fundraising as Ministry
By Thomas H. Jeavons and Rebekah Burch Basinger
211 Pages. US$22.95. Published by Jossey-Bass Publishers, San Francisco, 888-378-2537
Reviewed by Wayne E. Groner, CFRE
Co-author, The Pastor's Guide to Fund-Raising SuccessThis is not a how-to-do-it, but rather a why-to-do-it written for leaders. The authors declare that the most vital mission for Christian fundraisers is to grow the hearts of givers. They developed a research project funded by the Lilly Endowment to prove their theory, bringing to the project their considerable experiences as Christian fundraisers.
Their research covered two years and was quite thorough, although they used a narrow pool of subjects to study: seven parachurch organizations, including two seminaries and a university. The organizations were selected for their history of achieving spiritual and financial goals. Hundreds of staff, volunteers, and donors were interviewed.
The authors conclude that fundraising becomes ministry when two motivations converge. One, when the fundraiser has a desire to witness "to the highest spiritual and moral values of the Christian tradition" before the desire to generate funds. Two, when the donor experiences an "abundance that comes when one's giving is truly motived by love of God and neighbor" rather than by a desire for personal benefits.
Their conclusions on process are what secular fundraisers have known and practiced for many years: fulfill the needs of the donor first and the needs of the organization will be met.
The authors briefly cover what the Bible says about giving and asking. They give a brief history of Christian fundraising, from the earliest practices of the church to modern times.
In only one chapter do they offer questions for reflection. Such questions would have been helpful at the end of every chapter. In some chapters the authors get a little preachy, bringing in generalizations from their own experiences, a natural tendency. These digressions too often detract from the focus of their research project.
Although written primarily for church leaders, this an excellent resource for all church staff and volunteers as well as for new and experienced Christian fundraisers.
Buy the book:
Canada: buy through Amazon.ca: CDN$26.25
International: buy through Amazon.com: US$17.47
|
|||
