Blog / Communication and Relationships

(This is Part 1 in our series as we look at heart postures and strategies for connecting with ministry partners during the coronavirus pandemic.) No battle plan survives first contact.  It is a strategic fact that the best made plans won’t last after meeting reality, one must adapt to the circumstances presented. This is true in partnership development too. The internet goes out, it’s suddenly Christmas and no one is available, you have a family emergency, or maybe there is a global pandemic.  So then, what must we do? Before unpacking some really practical suggestions about communication and adaptation—let’s start […]

Survival Guide to Raising Support During the Coronavirus – Part 2 (This is part 2 in our series as we look at heart postures and strategies for connecting with ministry partners during the coronavirus pandemic.) While on a stateside trip for some leadership meetings I was asked to stop by a friend’s ministry in Oklahoma City to speak at the Rescue Mission downtown on my way back to Germany. I shared a short devotional and a few minutes on my current ministry. Then something happened that humbled and amazed me. It was a holy moment. The Executive Director asked the […]

Survival Guide to Raising Support During the Coronavirus – Part 3 (pulled from Steve Shadrach’s article, “Successful Support Raising in a Suffering Economy”. This is part 3 in our series as we look at heart postures and strategies for connecting with ministry partners during the coronavirus pandemic.) First, remember again that God is in control. Keep the ministry vision centralScott Morton with the Navigators says, “We must remember we are inviting supporters to advance the Kingdom, not merely to meet our personal needs.” YWAM’s John Ray adds: “Let’s help our supporters process what is really valuable and how their investments […]

Many of you in the middle of raising support may be wondering what to do during this unprecedented time. Today there are more school closings, limitations on gatherings of more than 10 people, more chaos at airports, overall social distancing, and the like. We don’t know yet how the coronavirus will affect ministry workers raising support. Dave Dickens of CRU recently offered some brilliant thoughts on his email newsletter list that I wanted to share with you at explaining some helpful things to help you navigate this chaotic season (some of it is slightly adapted to serve this blog’s audience): Let’s be prayerful. […]

Question: With the Coronavirus pandemic shutting down much of the world, what can you do now in fundraising? Nothing? Wait until things improve? Answer: Now is the time to be active in your giving partners’ lives. Now is not the time to withdraw! Your giving partners need your encouragement, but it will take time. Donor Ministry Ideas: Phone a giving partner who might be struggling. Listen to her. Pray with her over the phone. Send a physical note, text or email to a partner just to let him know you are thinking of him. Tell him you are concerned. Share a scripture. Send money […]