A Spirituality of Fundraising

By Bishop Michael Rinehart

November is “stewardship season” in many of our congregations. In one sense this is fitting, because the new budget year is coming, and the congregation leaders need to be good stewards of the resources given for ministry. On the other hand, if the only time we talk about giving is near the beginning of a new budget year, we reveal that our true motives are about the budget, and not about the spiritual lives of people for whom we care.

Jesus talks about the use of wealth more than just about any other topic except love. After meeting Jesus, Zacchaeus gives away half of his possessions and repays everyone he has cheated four times. Jesus tells the story of the widow’s penny. He warns us that we cannot serve both God and money. He tells a story about the rich man and Lazarus. We recently heard the story of the rich young ruler who wanted to follow Jesus but was too attached to his possessions.

We are entering a Lucan year in the lectionary. There are plenty of texts for us to engage in if we believe that the use of our resources, our spending habits, are an expression of our relationship with Jesus. I will list some of those stewardship texts below, so we can consider broaching the topic even when the budget is not in play.

I’m rereading Henri Nouwen’s short, 64-page book, A Spirituality of Fundraising. This is an absolutely essential read for those of us who invite people to give money for ministry.

The best way to summarize his thoughts might be by sharing a few direct quotes from the book. Read them slowly and give each quote some thought:

• “Fundraising is, first and foremost, a form of ministry. It is a way of announcing our vision and inviting people into our mission.”
• “Fundraising is as spiritual as giving a sermon, entering a time of prayer, visiting the sick, or feeding the hungry!”
• “Fundraising is always a call to conversion.”

That’s a good start in understanding Nouwen’s perspective. Ministry requires resources. A food pantry needs food. The homeless shelter needs beds. Habitat for Humanity needs supplies. Whatever your mission, if the work is important, do not be shy or reluctant to seek out the resources you need to impact lives. You are inviting people to participate in your ministry, with full knowledge that it will ultimately be a blessing to them as well, for, as Jesus said, “Where your treasure, there will your heart be also.”

Nouwen says fundraising is not begging. In fact, it is the opposite of begging. It is saying we have a vision. It is exciting and engaging. We invite you to be part of it. This will be a blessing to you and to the world. Come, join us if you are so moved.

If we take this approach, we never ask people to give to “the budget.” Instead, we spell out the exciting ministries that are going to take place and the lives that will be changed because of them, and then invite people to be a part of it with their time and with their treasure. Nobody gets excited about giving to a budget. (Well, maybe a few unique souls.) People give to efforts they believe in, that will make a difference, that excite them, that are led by leaders they trust.

The last part is important. People are much less likely to give in response to the chair of the stewardship committee they may or may not know. Stewardship will never be strong if it doesn’t also come from the mouth of the leader they know and trust the most. In most cases that is the pastor in a congregation. No one gives a multimillion-dollar donation to a university without a heart and soul conversation with the president.

Nouwen says fundraising is always a call to conversion, both for those who seek the funds, and those who give them. It’s very hard to solicit funds for something you don’t believe in, or something you haven’t given to yourself.

Generosity begets generosity, and it creates a bond. The asker and the giver will be drawn together by something God is doing in the world, by a common mission.

To be converted is to make a major shift in how we see, believe, and act. Only when we are free from money can we freely ask others to give it. As Paul said, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

I encourage you to give Nouwen a read. There is much more in this short book than can be shared here. A Spirituality of Fundraising is already a classic that will last longer than Nouwen’s short 64-year life.

Luke Texts on Money, Wealth, and Giving This Year

As you can see there are many texts. Why not visit the topic once a month, so our people hear Jesus’ message about giving all year long.

• Epiphany, January 6 (or Sunday, Epiphany Eve, January 5, 2025) – The Magi offer gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh
• January 19, 2025 – Water into Wine
• January 26, 2025 – Good news to the poor
• February 9, 2025 – The Great Catch
• February 26, 2024 – Sermon on the Plain: blessed are the hungry. Wow to the rich. Blessed are those who are mourning or hated. Woe to those who are highly esteemed.
• March 2, 2025 – Sermon in the Plain continued: Love your enemies, turn the other cheek, give to everyone who begs from you, the shirt off your back. “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”
• Ash Wednesday – Repent and Fast (I will have a Lenten devotional on Learning to Give Again available).
• March 9, 2025 – Give of your first fruits for the Levite and the alien.
• April 6, 2025 – Mary lavishly anoints Jesus’ feet.
• Good Friday, April 18, 2025 – Jesus gives everything, even his life. Joseph of Aramathea gives a grave.
• May 4, 2025 – Breakfast with Jesus on the beach. The Great Catch redux.
• May 18, 2025 – Love as the defining mark of the church
• June 19, 2025 – The Woman with the Alabaster Jar
• July 13, 2025 – The Good Samaritan
• August 3, 2025 – Luke 12: The Parable of the Rich Fool. Psalm 49: Do not be afraid when some become rich, when the wealth of their houses increases. For when they die they will carry nothing away; their wealth will not go down after them. Mortals cannot abide in their pomp; they are like the animals that perish.
• August 10, 2025 – Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Sell your possessions. Give alms. To whom much is given much is required.
• August 31, 2025 – When you throw a party, invite the poor and the impaired. Hebrews: Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.
• September 7, 2025 – Renounce family and possessions
• September 21, 2025 – The Parable of the Shrewd Manager
• September 28, 2025 – The Rich Man and Lazarus
• All Saints, November 2, 2025 – Beatitudes redux