Fundraising in 3-D

Have you ever had a donation request or fund-drive fall flat?

There’s a reason for that.

You may have missed at least one of three proven dimensions of an effective ask.

The technical terms for these are cognitio, mysterium and expecto.  Engaging two out of three is not good enough. You need all three for a fighting chance for heartfelt support.

If you know the difference between watching black-and-white TV and a 3-D IMAX movie, you’ll get what I’m talking about

Cognitio

Every ask should be abundantly clear as to what your nonprofit does.  And the donor needs to know how you do it differently or better than a hundred other nonprofits.  Right off the bat, you must provide solid reasons for the donor to part with his money and to invest in your initiative.  Persuade the potential supporter why your cause is important and how it will make the world a better place.

To be successful in the cognitio dimension of fundraising, it is helpful to have statistics to back up your claims.  Stats beyond belief, however, raise red flags. Facts on the need for your nonprofit, as well its accomplishments, speak volumes.  And show me some charts.

Prove to me that your nonprofit’s efforts are worth my precious time to consider.

Mysterium

Facts alone, however, are like watching TV in black-and-white. As odd as it may sound, few will write a check because there’s ample reason and evidence to do so.  They need to sense deep within they should get on board.  Donors have to empathize with the mission. There’s a certain-can’t-put-your-finger-on-it-something–mysterium–that switches on when a gift is produced.

One of the best ways for a potential donor to turn on to your nonprofit is through stories. Illustrations of real people, with a real need, that their gift can meet.  Pictures of your nonprofit’s work can dramatically strike a cord and move a donor to join your important effort for good.

At the end of the day, a donor has to be touched deep down by your vision.  If I’m not moved by your cause, no matter how compelling the facts are, my checkbook stays in my pocket.  Mysterium means that all the information in the world won’t convince me to give unless I sense the Spirit moving in a mighty way.

Expecto

You can hardly imagine more that  a donor needs than the right information and that undefinable feeling for forking out a gift.  Well, color TV beats black-and-white, but there is another dimension that is vital to employ for the IMAX effect.  Expecto refers to the hope that the donor has that the gifts will actually do what you say they will do.

This hope can be kindled by sharing exciting, attainable, but challenging goals the gift will accomplish.  Outcomes are chief in mind for today’s donors.

In some way they should experience those outcomes–get them involved in your nonprofit somehow.  That can mean to give me a tour of your facility, introduce me to volunteers and staff, invite me to serve on the board or a committee, ask me to join you on the field where real people in need are getting real help because of your nonprofit. That’s expecto.

With cognito, mysterium and expecto you’re broadcasting in 3-D and ready for the ask.

Not a Formula!!

Be aware: these three dimensions are not a three-point pitch or slick recipe for success.  They are three dimensions that are dynamically interwoven throughout your presentation.  A three-strand cord is not easily broken.  If one prong of the fund-raising electrical cord is missing, however, you lose the connection and donor appeals go dark.

Woven together, your power-filled appeals for partnerships at the right time and to the right person will ignite IMAX-like wonder and help real-life hurting people receive what they desperately need.

H. David Schuringa

Copyright (c) 2016 North Star Ministry Consultants, LLC

The Nonprofit Leaders Digest

 

 

 

Are You a Grasshopper?

The other day I asked some of my grandkids, “Do you think it is good or bad to be called a ‘grasshopper?'”

Without hesitation, they chimed in unison, “Bad!”

I always thought so too. Who in their right mind would want to be called a grasshopper?

Remember the Karate Kid? In that movie, Mr. Miyagi, the wise mantis, says to his apprentice Daniel, “Patience, young grasshopper.”  The phrase turns up in other Japanese-themed films and TV shows.

A put-down, right? An insult. Not quite.

The grasshopper probably got its bad rap in the West due in part to the King James Version’s Hebrew mistranslations for various species of locusts, cicadas and even crickets.

Recently, I took up the shakuhachi, an ancient eastern woodwind instrument. So I thought I’d begin to study the history under-girding this end-blown bamboo flute. Turns out that in Eastern philosophy, “grasshopper” is decidedly not a slap in the face.

Quite the opposite. It is a compliment.

To my surprise, the grasshopper symbolizes things like “jumping ahead” and “taking a leap of faith.” In fact, you can discover impressive lists of cool characteristics that spring to mind to describe a person who is a grasshopper:

He is able to overcome obstacles, to jump into successful ventures, to be forward thinking.  A grasshopper’s nature is stable, vibrant, content, intuitive, patient, peaceful, creative, insightful, connected, courageous, resourceful, and much more.

I learned that in many cultures over thousands of years, a grasshopper is the epitome of everything positive in a person.

Makes you want to just jump out and get a grasshopper poster or tie clip, right?

I don’t think it an unreasonable leap to point out that to succeed in a nonprofit you need to be a grasshopper. Far from offensive, it is a great honor–someone  gifted with the fruit of the Spirit–to jump to the aid of people in need, to foresee new ways of reaching them, to be courageously ahead of the curve in compassion.  A grasshopper dares to take a leap of faith  anytime, anywhere, for God’s great cause in his world.

After my mini-lecture, I reviewed with my grandkids, “Now, who would like to be a grasshopper?”

They all jumped in and eagerly raised their hands.  Good answer, young grasshoppers!

So, how about you?  Are you a grasshopper?

H. David Schuringa

Copyright (c) 2016 North Star Ministry Consultants, LLC

The Nonprofit Leaders Digest

Can’t Miss with the North Star

Did you know that the North Star is as reliable, even more so, as a compass for keeping your directions straight? That’s because the North Star doesn’t move and is positioned right above the North Pole.

For thousands of years, before the compass was even invented, navigators have used the North Star for staying the course.

One of the greatest dangers for a ministry is to veer off course and head in the wrong direction. That can happen already when a nonprofit starts, or sometime further on down the road.

Think of your nonprofit’s vision as your North Star that keeps you going in the right direction. Leadership literature calls this the principle of “alignment.” North Star alignment is essential to experience success and arrive at your destination.

Without clear vision, as well as a laser-sharp mission statement and powerful objectives, you may be sailing in the dark, without direction.  No North Star to keep you on course.

You face many options and decisions for your nonprofit just about everyday. Choose wisely in terms of which ones align with your North Star and which ones send you off in another direction.

H. David Schuringa

Copyright (c) 2016 North Star Ministry Consultants, LLC

Never Stop Reading These Two Types of Books

A successful nonprofit leader never veers far off the course of life-long learning. Here’s two types of books you should always be exploring.

1. Activation Books. These types of books contain practical tips for your active, everyday roles such as a leader, spouse, parent or individual. Tagged most often as “how to”  or “self-help” books, ingesting ideas that you can immediately incorporate into your daily activity is always helpful.

After all, you surely want to be up on the latest fads in your field of interest whether that be feeding the hungry, empowering the disabled or advocating for prisoners. These types of book inspire action. Right now I’m reading a book on “positioning” to see if I can find any new hints for even better positioning of North Star clients in the nonprofit market.

Some of these types of books deserve a permanent space on your book shelf. When my kids were growing up I had my go-to activation books to review from time-to-time to keep me on track as a dad.

2. Cogitation Books. Book stores and websites ooze with “self-help” materials, so there’s a wide variety to choose from. What is often overlooked, though, are those books that cause you to think deeply, to cogitate. I’m referring to books on philosophy, theology, history or sociology. While activation books feed your nonprofit’s “praxis,” cogitation books enrich your “theory.”

If worthwhile, these are seldom an easy read. You might feel like you’re back in college. Currently, I am studying a book about the conflict between Confucianism and Zen Buddhism in the 16th century. What? you might think.  You’d be surprised how stretching with cogitation books strengthens your service muscles.

Having suggested these two types of books you should never stop reading, let me add this caveat: Read what you disagree with. That’s right, be sure to study books you suspect might hold an opinion contrary to yours. If you read only that with which you agree, you create a personal echo chamber that stunts your growth.

I guarantee that it is within the dynamic synergy between you and new ideas where conditions are ripe to ignite illumination and revitalization.

“Ah,” you say, “I read articles on the internet.” Good. I start every morning scanning more than a dozen newspapers and magazines online. North Star seeks to inspire and inform you with its first class blogs.

That being said, however, internet learning alone offers no more than a bumper sticker education. Rather, dig deeply into original sources yourself and discover gold for your nonprofit, and for your life.

Copy down this equation: A + C = I + R (Activation + Cogitation = Illumination + Revitalization).  Always be studying these two types of books and watch your nonprofit, and you, expand significantly in influence for helping those in need.

H. David Schuringa

Copyright (c) 2016 North Star Ministry Consultants, LLC

 

 

 

 

Here’s When to Throw in the Towel

Question:  What’s the difference between a non-profit and a for-profit organization?

Answer:  The profit.

I was raised, and worked many years, in the business world. One common thread of advice in business literature is to “never fall in love with your product.”  Dad and I would have had a hard time with that one because we really did like eggs, “nature’s most perfect food.”

But, seriously, what that means is that in business, you must make a profit to survive, let alone thrive. The product may be wonderful and dear to your heart but, lacking a profit, you’ll soon not have a business. And the idea of starting a small business, the experts say, is to sell it someday.

That’s because (in simplified philosophical terms) economics is the leading aspect of business. Of course, many other factors play a vital role such as the product’s impact upon society. But a business is a business because it makes money. If you don’t succeed with one product, you can try another. In short, business is a for-profit enterprise.

Having said that, it is entirely a different matter in ministry. Hence the title “non-profit.” Ministry is not about profit though it also has many considerations including operating with economic efficiency. Wasting money in ministry happens all to often and is an insult to the donors. But its primary reason for existence is advancing the worthy cause is represents, not a profit.

While a business leader should never fall in love with their product, a ministry leader should indeed fall in love with their cause. In fact, a nonprofit leader should believe in the cause of the ministry they head.

Enjoying a cushy position can be a temptation to any leader, whether or not they are passionate about the nonprofit’s cause. I once spoke with a prison ministry leader who confided that he really didn’t like prisoners. But there’s a reason excellent nonprofit leaders, and successful development people, don’t roam from post to post and are not easily baited by another position promising more prestige and a larger package. They are on fire for their cause and would only reluctantly leave if disabled or retired.

Sure , it would be amazing if every staff member were also in love with the cause, but that would be too much to expect. It’s even naïve to assume heartfelt commitment from every last board member.

But with the leader, it’s got to be different. You cannot generate. or even fake, zeal (for long) for a cause you don’t really believe in. And those orphans, incarcerated or hungry you are supposed to be reaching certainly deserve nothing less–in Jesus’ name–than enthusiasm from deep down in your heart.

Without such passion do you have a right to expect blessing on the work?

Here’s the bottom line: if you are not a zealot for your cause, or you have lost your passion, it’s time to throw in the towel.

When it comes to a nonprofit, “BELIEVE IT OR LEAVE IT.” A lukewarm heart just doesn’t warm the heart of the Savior.

Surely there is ministry out there waiting for you that captures your imagination and intersects with your gifts and passion. And that’s where you will flourish for advancing the Kingdom of God.

H. David Schuringa

Copyright (c) 2016 North Star Ministry Consultants, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

Never Say This to a Large Donor

So you finally get a meeting with that potential mega-donor you’ve been praying about.

You deeply value the many “widow’s mites” you receive and know God blesses even the smallest gift in greater-than-expected measure.

But you also know the middle-class is shrinking and that nonprofits are increasingly dependent upon large gifts. Besides, it is also an important spiritual discipline for the wealthy to do their share.

So you are finally in the big meeting. You brought your materials and are making your presentation. And then, towards the end, you lay on them the killer closer:

“You know, our entire staff is really committed to this great cause. In fact, everyone sees their work as a ministry, and not a job.”

Then you pause for the response

At this point, you probably have lost, or greatly diminished, the potential gift.

I know. I used to use that pitch too. And I truly believed it with all my heart.

But a large donor once told me that ALL heads of ministries , or their development officers, say the same thing.

Ouch.

The donor’s observation begs two heart-wrenching questions:  1) Does this mean all other ministries are lying, and only your staff is really committed? and 2) if the donor doubts your entire staff sees their job as ministry, does he not begin to wonder how much of the rest of your presentation is baloney?

Here’s the rub. Research confirms the sad fact that 80% of your paid staff–yes, even at your worthwhile nonprofit–is merely taking home a paycheck, just doing their job.

And any one of the 80% would jump in a heartbeat if something better came along.

It’s difficult to swallow because we nonprofit leaders are absolutely sold out to our ministries. Otherwise we wouldn’t be there. We DO see it as a ministry, and not a job.

But there is an irresistible impulse within to project our enthusiasm for the ministry on those around us. The nonprofit’s value is so abundantly clear to us, it is almost impossible to imagine that someone else doesn’t “get it.”

Having said that, sure, probably 20% of your staff really does see their work as ministry, like you. The conundrum is you’ll never know for sure who they are.  But they know, and God knows.

Never fail to thank God everyday for the 20%–whoever they are–because they are doing 80% of the work that is powerfully driving the mission of the ministry forward.

So what do you tell that mega-donor?

Inspire them with the vision for the ministry. Provide hard evidence for the results you are seeing. Persuade them that so much more could be accomplished if they would partner with you and your staff to advance the mission.

In so doing, you won’t be able to hide your passion from the donor, or whether it is just a job for you.

H. David Schuringa

Copyright (c) 2016 North Star Ministry Consultants, LLC

 

 

Where Opposites Should Attract

You’ve heard the expression, “opposites attract.” Well, such a bipolar-sounding idea is urgently needed for great ministry to happen for those in need.

Successful ministry leadership should be directed from two opposite poles or sources. First, we think of the top, with the leader, where decisions “originate,” at least, logically.

This is the “deductive” end of the spectrum from where orders come down for the rest of the organization. Leadership is, after all, responsible for things like vision, goal-setting, implementation and inspiration.

But organizations that are directed exclusively from the top down tend to be one-sided and single-dimensional.

A rigid corporate structure comes to mind. Inspired by Enlightenment philosophers, that begins with the big idea and deduces from that the programs to accomplish the mission and the kind of people it needs to fill the cogs. Those who don’t work out in the cogs are highly dispensable.

They are missing a special ingredient–its exact opposite. Equally important is leadership from the bottom up.

It sounds counter-intuitive at first. But vital information for leaders springs from where the work is actually accomplished, technically referred to as the praxis.  Think of pilot programs, unforeseen circumstances, unintended consequences, client responses, unique employee suggestions and talents. This information is also vital for the organization to keep going in the right direction

What a horrendous mistake we can make, for example, by not listening to and learning from the very people we are seeking to help. It happens all the time in prison ministry, mission trips and out-of-touch congregational leadership. When we march in thinking we have the answer for them–we probably don’t, and will cause more harm than good. Their input teaches us so much more than we think we knew. 

Technically, this is referred to as “organic” leadership, that flows from the bottom up.  Big in post-modernism, it can be a healthy antidote for Enlightenment Rationalism.

But that’s exactly why opposites should attract. Both deductive and inductive directions are vital for ministry leadership. Think of these as a paradox within the tension (spanningsveld) of which is an organization that is alive and headed powerfully in the direction of its North Star.

For a more explicit faith-based explanation of bi-directional ministry, check out this article on “Leadership, Heidelberg-Style.”  When you “get” this, you are a long ways down the road of helping a lot of folks who need your ministry, whether they be inmates, developing world poor, or the person in the pew next to you.  For here, when opposites attract, a mighty force for good is unleashed.

H. David Schuringa

Copyright (c) 2016 North Star Ministry Consultants, LLC

 

 

If Only We Had a Lot More Money!

 

What is your first thought when you think about growing your organization?

Be honest.

Sometimes it is tempting to think about growth first of all in terms of  the budget.  I mean, if only you had a bundle of money, you could make a ton of  ministry happen, right?

WRONG!

I know, we are inclined to think that a $40 million organization is so much greater, and does so much more, than a $2 million ministry. The fact is, that a smaller organization may be accomplishing as much if not more than the larger one if it is growing in the right ways.

The first way to determine organizational growth and effectiveness is not how much revenue is coming in but how much ministry is going out. This takes an accurate, verifiable way to quantify ministry output.

Only then can you know if you are truly growing. Sure, taking in more money is always nice and we strive for it, in its place.

But it is possible to take in millions at a church or non-profit but yet not accomplishing much other than providing some people nice jobs.

Keep your life’s top priority straight and do what you can with what you have. North Star will help you grow your budget, but first will help your organization grow in every possible way to the glory of God. 

With the right priorities and plan in place, all the money you will ever need will be there.

H. David Schuringa

Copyright (c) 2016 North Star Ministry Consultants, LLC

Chuck Colson Taught Me This

Three times my good friend, Chuck Colson, attempted to enlist me. Thrice I denied him: Once, after he flew me in on a private jet for dinner on his porch—to persuade me to head the newly envisioned Colson Center for Christian Worldview. Twice, when urged me to lead Prison Fellowship Ministries in his stead.*

Instead, we partnered.

One of the best tips Chuck taught me is the supremacy of networking. He had this figured out eons ahead of his time.

The Old Path to Nowhere
The Post-World War II model of ministry was anti-networking. Ministries tended to view each other as competitors, even enemies. Border patrol was ever-vigilant. Top priority was fighting for a larger slice of the donation pie. Organizations battled for self-sufficiency. Ministry was war waged on countless fronts.

Then along came the former Watergate “Hatchet Man” and Florida inmate who sensed the Spirit moving in a new direction as history dawned on the 21st Century.

New Horizons
Chuck regularly promoted other ministries and deliberately orchestrated partnerships. This was not always successful back in the old combative era. An attempt to partner with Bill Glass over at Behind the Walls never materialized, to the chagrin of both ministries today. The two giant personalities never came to terms.

Smaller ministries at first feared that Colson’s mammoth enterprise would over-power them—if true, could that be due to the baby-steps he was taking as he first forged the new path?

Chuck’s idea, however, ultimately prevailed—proven time and again that networking does not diminish your ministry; partnering strengthens it.

Why reinvent the wheel when something is going well elsewhere? Create partnerships and keep doing better what you do best. When ministries link arms, something grander sparks than could have ever happened apart.

Colson on Mergers
Does networking require organizational mergers?

According to Colson, mergers are not necessarily the best policy. Cooperative ventures, mutual encouragement and promotional alliances pose a better plan.

Though Crossroad is not large compared to Prison Fellowship the partnership grew invaluable to both with long-term discipleship as our forte. For example, when they launched a multi-ministry venture called, Operation Starting Line, we dispatched volunteers to their in-prison rallies and inmate respondents were shuttled our way.

Spirit-Empowered Ministry
Church members resonate deeply with networking. The donor pie enlarges. Without partnering, a ministry appears isolated, if not somewhat arrogant. Certainly they are missing out on an explosive work of the Spirit.

Mr. Colson’s groundbreaking vision is now the norm, a roadmap to success. Can you discern that a new day has dawned? So discover more ways to network. Experience the thrill of victory.

A huge debt of gratitude is owed Chuck Colson as a trailblazer who modeled a master strategy for Jesus’ troops on the ground today.

H. David Schuringa

North Star Ministry Consultants, LLC

___________________________

*Ironically, upon my departure, Crossroad hired one of Prison Fellowship’s directors, Pastor Lisa Bylstra, to head the ministry.

 

Keep on the Sunny Side!

President Ronald Reagan loved to tell the story of a set of identical twins who were complete opposites.

One of the twins was a gloomy pessimist, but the other was an eternal optimist. The parents were a little curious, so they hired a psychologist to see what was going on.

The psychologist took the pessimistic twin by the hand and led him to a room filled with toys. “These are all yours!” the psychologist said.

In response, the boy began to weep uncontrollably.

“What’s wrong?” asked the counselor.

“Someday,” the lad sniffled, “all of these will break.”

The next day, the psychologist brought the optimistic twin to an old, run-down barn. Together, the man and the twin shoved open the barn door. In the middle of the floor was a huge pile of manure.

The twin’s eyes popped open wide, and, in only a few seconds, he had grabbed a pitch fork and begun digging into the pile.

The psychologist was stunned. “What are you doing?” he inquired.

With a grin on his face, the optimistic twin explained, “Well, with all this manure, there must be a pony in here somewhere!”

H. David Schuringa

Copyright (c) 2016 North Star Ministry Consultants, LLC

“Sustainable Growth through Strategic Communication”

Do This First When You Hit Whitewater

Every ministry hits whitewater from time to time. You may have been sailing along just fine. Then suddenly, a storm descends with a fury. How you navigate the turbulent waters will determine whether your organization cracks up and sinks, or safely reaches its desired destination.

When ministry doesn’t go as expected, where do you first look to discover the problem? You may be quick to determine that the culprit is a disgruntled employee, a slumping economy or a nasty competitor. Of course, any of these, and others, may fit into the equation.

But that’s not where you should start in a crisis.

When you hit whitewater, the first place to look is in the mirror.

I know, that feels completely unnatural and counter cultural. When it comes to ourselves, we are inclined toward a charitable judgement, a positive evaluation. As coined by Stuart Smalley:  “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggone it, people like me!” And don’t forget all your drawings mom taped to the fridge door. The source is certainly “out there” that is causing the tempest.

Maybe.

But I have learned over the years the first operation to perform when life turns south is to turn inward. Dare to take an honest look at yourself–especially your relationship with God and others–before you begin to shift blame elsewhere.

When in the storm you have soaked yourself in a hard core self-examination–and have made corresponding modifications–it is amazing how issues seem to take care of themselves, and how much calmer the waters appear. Because then you have cleared away the personal clouds that would hamper a clear view of a ministry gust.

“Know Thyself,” Socrates said–a vital key for following your North Star, especially in whitewater.

H. David Schuringa

Copyright (c) 2016 North Star Ministry Consultants, LLC

Are You a Student in These Three Schools?

Everyone should engage in life-long learning, especially you who head churches and non-profits. But what does this entail? Here’s three proven “schools” for growth in vital knowledge for your important task.

1. The School of Winners
Nothing feels better than a win. You plan, you set goals. When you and your team accomplish the plan, you sit back, lite up a cigar (metaphorically speaking) and bask in the afterglow of your success.

When you win, you learn a thing or two that is worth repeating. Sometime you just stumble on to a victory but you also learn much from positive unintended consequences. So take notes in this school of the good times.  You learn much by doing and by reflecting on what you have done well.

2. The School of the Experts
You learn more, however, by studying under those a little further up down the road. This classroom of experts can take various shapes and forms.

There are your many fellow leader-travelers to tap and, especially, seek out a mentor and professional consultants. From these you can learn directly by sitting at their feet and picking their brains.

A step removed but equally valuable are educational tools such as books, articles, lectures, conferences, seminars and webinars. In this classroom are people-in-the-know. You should always be working your way through a significant book by an expert in your field. Enroll in this school so you can learn the next winning play.

3. The School of Hard Knocks
Where you gain the most knowledge is also the most painful: your mistakes and failures. Naturally we tend to gloss over, rationalize, blame others and shove mistakes out of our mind. It’s part pride and part hurt that wants to just move on.

But every successful leader I’ve ever met readily admits they learned the most from their goofs. So look in the mirror and own up to yours. Ditch your pride. Work through the pain. Pick yourself up, dust off your pants and surge ahead.

When things don’t go right, dare to ask yourself probing questions like …

•  “How could I have done that differently with better results?”
•  “If I could get a do-over, what should I have said instead?”
•  “Who could I have consulted before jumping in head first?”

Never close the door on the school of hard knocks.

The superintendent of these three schools is the School Master of Success.  Stick close to the chief teacher in the life-long learning process and watch your ministry soar.  He will hand you your diploma someday.

H. David Schuringa

Copyright (c) 2016 North Star Ministry Consultants, LLC

Is Your Leadership Bi-Directional?

Successful ministry leadership should be directed from two vital sources. First, we think of the top, where leadership decisions originate.

This is the “deductive”  end of the spectrum from where orders come down for the rest of the organization. Leadership is, after all, responsible for things like vision, goal-setting, implementation and inspiration.

But organizations that are directed exclusively from the top down tend to be one-sided and single-dimensional. A rigid corporate structure comes to mind. Inspired by Enlightenment philosophers, it begins with the big idea and deduces from that the programs to accomplish the mission and the kind of people it needs to fill the cogs. Those who don’t work out in the cogs are highly dispensable.

Equally important, however, is leadership from the bottom up.

It sounds counter-intuitive at first. But vital information for leaders springs from where the work is actually accomplished, technically referred to as the praxis. Think of pilot programs, unforeseen circumstances, unintended consequences, client responses, unique employee suggestions and talents. This information is also vital for the organization to keep going in the right direction.

This bottom up, “inductive” leadership style is today referred to as organic. Inspired by post-modern philosophy, when left to itself leads to chaos.

Both deductive and inductive directions are vital for ministry leadership. Think of these as a paradox within the tension of which (spanningsveld) is an organization that is alive and headed powerfully in the direction of its North Star.

For a more explicit faith-based explanation of bi-directional ministry, check out this article on “Leadership, Heidelberg-Style.”

H. David Schuringa

Copyright (c) 2016 North Star Ministry Consultants, LLC

 

Is Diversity a Dirty Word?

Recently a famous television awards show was slammed for lack of diversity. The question, why are all the winners white, was posed.

Many folks from a conservative standpoint cringe at the word, “diversity.” Forced quotas and affirmative action come to mind that causes nervous opposition forces to dig in their heals.

But is diversity a dirty word?

In my experience the answer is no. While I am unsure that it is wise to force diversity, what is needed is for leaders to see the value of diversity for their organizations.

I recently was asked to write an article on addictions and, I felt I was ill equipped to do so alone. So I gathered as diverse a group I could to meet in order to discuss the important issue.

Diversity that explodes with God’s blessings includes participants such as people-of-color, white people, females, males, ethnic variety, old, young, differing educational levels, backgrounds and sexual orientations, folks with disabilities and those with more or less experience. I can testify to the fact that it probably was one of my better articles because it benefited from the ideas of so many people not like me.

And that’s precisely the point.

Everyone in the body is important and has a role to play, says Paul. The eye cannot say to the foot, I don’t need you,without negative consequences on the entire body. That’s because God has something special for your ministry from those who are different from you. Your organization will benefit greatly from diversity.

Most importantly, diversity honors the King of the Church. North Star can help you accomplish diversity in a way that benefits your ministry beyond your wildest imagination.

H. David Schuringa

2016 Copyright (c) North Star Ministry Consultants, LLC

Three Simple Ways to Sink Your Ministry

You are on a voyage, guided by your North Star. Or so you thought. But there are three simple ways to sink your venture before you know what has happened.

1. Go into debt
I mean, your leadership of your church or non-profit is an act of faith. Your cause is so important to God’s Kingdom. Of course, God will provide! So you take out a loan for, say, paying the electricity bill for the month.

Mounting debt is a weight that will sink your ship. It is not trusting God. At best, it is misusing the resources he entrusted to you. At worse, it is abusing the gifts of faithful donors who didn’t count on their gifts paying off interest.  You’ll keep the ship afloat if you minister within your means.

2. Chase Rabbits
This is a great idea, it seems today! Let’s go for it. And there you go chasing another rabbit.

This common mistake has to do what we talked about beforein keeping your eye on your North Start. Lots of opportunities and ideas come into view. But every time you chase a rabbit, you risk tripping into a deep hole while your ministry goes to seed.  Stick with the program.

3. Never Ask for Help
You’re a smart chap. You have an education and good instincts. So don’t bother getting advice from others. What do they know?

But a know-it-all attitude is like steering your ship with ear plugs. You will surely hit unexpected icebergs. Ask the captain of the Titanic.  Keep your ears open for those who have gone before and know the course.

North Star can help you keep your ministry afloat and soaring.

H. David Schuringa

Copyright (c) 2016 North Star Ministry Consultants, LLC