| Title | : | A Spirituality of Fundraising |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0835810445 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780835810449 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 66 |
| Publication | : | First published January 31, 2011 |
"As a ministry, fundraising is as spiritual as giving a sermon, entering a time of prayer, visiting the sick, or feeding the hungry." - H.J.M. Nouwen
A Spirituality of Fundraising Reviews
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Great short read- 40 pages. Packed with wisdom and truth re fund raising. The book is available for free on Nouwen's website or as a pdf many places on the web.
Fundraising is "not a necessary but unpleasant activity to support spiritual things."
Fundraising is spiritually good for both the ask-er and the giver.Fund-raising is, first and foremost, a form of ministry. It is a way of announcing our vision and inviting other people into our mission.
Fund-raising is precisely the opposite of begging. When we seek to raise funds we are not saying, “Please, could you help us out because lately it’s been hard.” Rather, we are declaring, “We have a vision that is amazing and exciting. We are inviting you to invest yourself through the resources that God has given you—your energy, your prayers, and your money—in this work to which God has called us.”
As a form of ministry, fund-raising is as spiritual as giving a sermon, entering a time of prayer, visiting the sick, or feeding the hungry.
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This was a sermon Nouwen gave a number of years ago and was edited into a book. It is a thin volume but thick on truth and a different view of fundraising and money. His main point is to encourage Christian leaders to see that our fear of talking about and asking for money stems from our dependance on it rather than God. We are fearful. He also highlights the idea that all mnistry is relational and that fundraising is ministry. Asking for money and giving can draw us into deeper relationships with others, he believes.
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A great little primer on the perspective of ministry partner development. It is chalk full of great little one liners to keep you motivated.
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I'm co-chairing an upcoming fundraiser for a cause I believe in. This book reinforced how important it is to believe in your cause, rely on already strong relationships in your life to build other believers, and how to help your friends and family become believers in your cause as well.
Ultimately, fundraising is spiritual journey to be enjoyed and shared with people you care about. -
¡Muy interesante! Recomiendo su lectura a cualquiera que sea cristiano y forme parte de un ministerio, porque Henri Nouwen deja claro que recaudar fondos no es una actividad más, sino que es en sí mismo un ministerio. Lo importante no es el dinero, sino las relaciones que formamos. Cada uno debe aportar aquellas riquezas que Dios le ha dado.
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Read per Jake Stum’s recommendation. Jake is a gifted fundraiser, and he told me that he’s always felt a mild disgust with that fact, because he used to see his gifting as “good at getting other people’s money.” This book changed his perspective on fundraising. He now sees fundraising as Nouwen presents it: the stewarding of God’s gifts for God’s people, which establishes God’s kingdom.
The book is short and terse, which tends to be where Nouwen is at his best. I really liked his insight that our relationship with money reflects the condition of our heart and lives. If there is anxiety, competition, fear, or greed around money — that tells us more about ourselves than about money. So, we should see fundraising as a twofold process: it helps us establish secure attachments with material resources, and invites God to do a work in that space.
This is a great, beginners book for anyone wanting to facilitate discussions around the Christian’s relationship with money. -
Money is the greatest taboo.
“The reason for the taboo is that money has something to do with that intimate place in our heart where we need security, and we do not want to reveal our need or give away our security to someone who, maybe only accidentally, might betray us.”
My prayer:
“Take away the many fears, suspicions, and doubts by which I prevent you from being my Lord, and give me the courage and freedom to appear naked and vulnerable in the light of your presence, confident in your unfathomable mercy.” -A Cry for Mercy -
This could easily be titled "A Spirituality of Money". Nouwen gets under the surface to issues of motive and unhealthy relationships with success, comfort, and money in this book - definitely a good read for people looking to raise money for a ministry, but probably a good read for Christians who are struggling with concepts of tithing, and how their occupations fit into the work of the Kingdom.
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A good reminder of why I do fundraising. This book helps me get my heart centered back on God during a season of support raising. It is very easy to see support raising as a step before our ministry. This book challenges you to see support raising as part of your ministry and a way to open the door of people’s hearts to God’s unconditional love.
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A re-read for a staff retreat. It’s a great, small book, but it was not well-used as a staff retreat focus.
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This wonderful little book offered me so much hope and encouragement regarding fundraising and the opportunity to invite others into God’s work and mission. I wish I had read this book four years ago when I began fundraising for a full time ministry position. This book is perfect for those in the work of fundraising- both on the asking and giving sides. I was particularly encouraged by the idea that God’s Spirit moves in order to accomplish His purposes. If we trust He has called us to serve His Kingdom in particular ways, we have freedom to proclaim and invite others into His work. I also love the image of the “creation of a community of love” and want to seek this community where I serve and in the ways I invite others to serve with me.
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A short little book adapted from a sermon or address that Nouwrn gave. As someone who's been raising money as part of ministry for two years now this was an immensely helpful little read. Nouwen asks his reader to think about their own relationship to money and to other people and to consider how fundraising can actually be a ministry to the people that we're asking because we're inviting them to participate in the work of God's kingdom. It's all very beautiful and encouraging, one of the best things I've ever read on fundraising.
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Quick read to refresh ministry workers about the purpose and ministry of partnership development. Not full of practical how-to's, but contains probing questions that bring the reader back to the ultimate goal of inviting God's people to join in on God's work in the world.
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Fantastic short read for anyone who fundraises in ministry. Nouwen was a brilliant spiritual writer whose work has consistently moved and challenged me, so I was delighted to see this offering. I am going to encourage everyone in my campus ministry organization to read it.
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Wonderful little book that every Christian whose job requires raising funds should read. For such a small book there is very profound content. Pastors, church finance teams, & Christian nonprofit directors will especially benefit.
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Short, simple and deep. Important read for those individuals involved in fundraising for the Kingdom.
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A good and quite short book to read slowly and reflectively. Worth a look for anyone involved in raising money, and maybe also for those who give it too.
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Good overview of spiritual reasons to fundraise
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A fantastic, recentering read as we head back into a season of fundraising. Or better put, people-raising.
“How do we move from perceiving fundraising as an unpleasant but unavoidable activity to recognizing fundraising as a life-giving, hope-filled expression of ministry?”
In short: prayer and gratitude.
“The pressure in our culture to secure our own future and to control our lives as much as possible does not find support in the Bible... What is our security base? God or mammon? That is what Jesus would ask.”
“Once we are prayerfully committed to placing
our whole trust in God and have become clear
that we are concerned only for the kingdom; once
we have learned to love the rich for who they are
rather than what they have; and once we believe
that we have something of great value to give
them, then we will have no trouble at all in asking
someone for a large sum of money.”
“Fundraising is first and foremost a form
of ministry.” -
I finished this book in an hour or less. 64 pages. Great little primer for anyone who raises their funds for ministry! It’s aim is to change your view of support raising from “A necessary but unpleasant activity to support spiritual things” to “Fundraising is first and foremost a ministry” — that we are secure in Christ & free to ask/invite others (both financially & prayerfully) to join us in Kingdom work, and that what should be first true of this relationship is that it’s marked by love & close communion with one another.
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This gem's been on my shelf for a couple of months. I borrowed it from a friend, and I wanted to get it back to him. Wow! Nouwen's one of my favorite theologians to read. His take on fundraising points to the positive aspects of generosity without making God look like a vending machine. Also, he outlines how fundraising is directly tied to your relationship with and understanding of money.
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An amazing book for those working in the fundraising world and you are working towards inviting people to participate in your vision and mission, especially organisations reflecting God’s Kingdom. Henri shares that fundraising is a necessary but unpleasant activity to support spiritual things - but his passion for ministry and for living from a spiritual motivation led him further to say that fundraising is first and foremost a form of ministry. This helped me so much to understand the importance and the impact that fundraising can have on the world.
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I’ve loved every Henri Nouwen book I’ve read thus far, and this one was no exception. His perspective was simple and insightful, and I am challenged by the simplicity and straightforwardness of what Jesus taught concerning the Kingdom of God… that I am often so tempted to to complicate.
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A beautiful read, and I feel like it came to me at just the right time. I wish it was (much) longer, as there is so much quality material here (would be 5 stars otherwise).
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Great, fast read that really challenged the way I relate to money and how a Christian organization should fundraise.
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A short, encouraging spur into fundraising.
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This is a great little book for those who are working with a non-profit or parachurch organization. Great insight and powerful invitations
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Short. Heart-felt. Solid.
