Debunking Myths about Ethnic Minority Support Raising

By on November 21, 2017   /   Coaching   /   3 Comments

As a fully funded ethnic minority Navigator staff and Ministry Partnership Development (MPD) coach, I want to challenge a few common myths that I encounter: Myth: “Ethnic minority staff can’t raise money.” That’s a bold statement based on many assumptions. The last time I looked in the mirror, I was still an ethnic minority person, and God has taught me how to raise money and become fully funded. It has been a journey of deepening my intimacy with Christ as He exposed lies I had believed about money. Funds didn’t pour in when I started on this journey. In fact, […]

Keep Reading →
Back to Top

Strategically Seeking Referrals

By on November 7, 2017   /   Contacts and Referrals   /   1 Comment

In the support raising world, a referral is much more than just contact information. There is depth to it, as someone trusts you and your ministry vision enough to purposely encourage contact between you and their friends, associates, etc. They also understand that you have a goal of inviting that person to join your prayer and financial support team. If you think about it, that is a lot of trust! When seeking referrals, I’ve experienced several different types of reactions: Some wouldn’t help at all – I’ve heard a few variations of “I’m never comfortable sharing other people’s information, not […]

Keep Reading →
Back to Top

Coaching New Staff For The First 100 Days

By on October 17, 2017   /   Coaching   /   Leave a comment

It’s a wonderful day when someone new joins your staff. Perhaps they are a recent college graduate. Maybe it’s someone more seasoned in life, who recently left a successful marketplace job because of God’s clear calling to share in your vital vision as their full-time vocation. At some point there is a crystallized moment where the IRS W-4 has been completed, all other proper paperwork is in order, and they are officially part of ministry staff. It’s really happening! Enthusiasm is high while you praise the Lord for these exciting times! However, as an executive and/or support raising coach in […]

Keep Reading →
Back to Top

Getting a Head Start on Year-End Giving

By on October 3, 2017   /   Appointments and Asking   /   Leave a comment

Twenty-five to thirty percent of all donations occur at the end of the year. Did you hear that?! During November and December people give over and above. This is true for your ministry partners too. Since they are already invested in you and your ministry, it is highly likely they would prefer to give to you — where their hearts already are. There are a lot of tips, tricks, and strategies to an effective Year-End Ask (YEA). This does not mean you are turning a beautiful response to God’s calling into a mathematical formula. The goal of effective communication is […]

Keep Reading →
Back to Top

Finding Your Guiding Light: How Do I Identify Potential MPD Coaches and Trainers in My Organization?

By on September 19, 2017   /   Infrastructure   /   Leave a comment

World-class Ministry Partnership Development (MPD) training is not enough to move your staff to full funding. You need to develop a cadre of coaches to come alongside your staff members. How do you identify, recruit, and train potential coaches in your organization? Who are the ones who possess the gifting and ability to train and coach your staff in MPD? The following are core competencies, personal qualifications, and people skills and abilities coaches either need to possess or can grow in. We don’t expect our new coaches to be fully mature in their abilities when we choose them to become […]

Keep Reading →
Back to Top

Does Jesus Contradict Himself on Fundraising?

By on September 5, 2017   /   Biblical Encouragement   /   Leave a comment

Have you noticed that Jesus gave two different sets of instructions for funding ministry? Early in His ministry Jesus sent both the twelve disciples and seventy others on mission trips. He instructed them to “take nothing for your journey” but to be supported by “worthy men” to whom they ministered (Matt 10, Mark 6, Luke 9, 10). By contrast, just before He was crucified Jesus asked His disciples a penetrating question: “When I sent you out without money belt and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you? They said, ‘No, nothing.’ And He said to them, ‘But […]

Keep Reading →
Back to Top

Women in Ministry

By on August 21, 2017   /   Communication and Relationships, Family and Finances   /   Leave a comment

I recently read an article No One Wants to Bag Leaves Alone: The Vital Role Wives Play in Support Raising and absolutely loved it! The sacrificial and vital role of wives in the adventure of MPD (support raising) is part of the blessed teamwork of marriage. I cheer on the valiant hard work of those wives across the world! Listen ladies, the world is better because of you and wouldn’t be the same without you. The aforementioned article is a definite must-read for all wives whose husbands are the primary support raisers. I would, however, like to draw attention to […]

Keep Reading →
Back to Top

Five Questions to Increase the Support Raising Health of Your Ministry Staff

By on August 14, 2017   /   Leadership   /   Leave a comment

In Jim Collins’ classic book “Good to Great” he says one of the keys to being a truly great organization is if the leaders are able to ask the really tough questions about the condition of their company. If they are willing to confront the “brutal facts,” especially about their own leadership, then they are on the path to finding healthy solutions. Personally, it’s not hard for me to slip into a passive posture, close my eyes, and just hope everything turns out ok. I do that under the guise of “trusting God” but in reality I think I struggle […]

Keep Reading →
Back to Top

No One Wants to Bag Leaves Alone: The Vital Role Wives Play in Support Raising

By on August 1, 2017   /   Communication and Relationships, Family and Finances   /   1 Comment

Each year hundreds, if not thousands, of leaves fall from the many trees in our front yard until the leaves form a blanket so deep you can no longer see the grass. To rake and bag them all is a daunting and lengthy process. When my husband puts on his outdoor clothes and pulls out the rake, big trash can, and extra-large trash bags, I know he is going to dive into this leaf bagging chore. At that moment I have a choice to make. I can think, “Well, the inside of the house is kind of my domain (laundry, […]

Keep Reading →
Back to Top

Ministry Partner ‘Family’ Reunions

By on July 5, 2017   /   Communication and Relationships, Thriving for a Lifetime   /   Leave a comment

In ministry, our supporters are like a family. We have a common Father, we interact and communicate with them, share a common vision, pray for each other, and have obligations to each other. Family reunions are a way to gather distant relatives together who are willing to come together because of a family bond and often a central person like a grandparent who is the glue to bring everyone together. Similarly, ministry partner reunions are a great way to engage with your supporter family who may not have much in common but you, and their belief and support of your […]

Keep Reading →
Back to Top
GET CONNECTED
Blog
Podcast
Twitter
Facebook

Latest SRS Blog Post

  • Lifetime Service Award – Betty Barnett
    During each Support Raising Leaders Conference, we recognize a life-long champion of personal support raising who has given decades to the service of others in...
CONTACT US
Support Raising Solutions
PO BOX 3556
Fayetteville, AR, 72702
1(800) 595-4881
info@supportraisingsolutions.org