Confessions of a Doubting Fundraiser
It’s been nearly ten years since I was assigned leadership of my first fundraising campaign. The goal was $250,000 which, at the time, seemed like an immovable mountain for our small rural ministry. I remember going to a Christian Stewardship Association conference where I spent most of my time whining and complaining about my boss who I believed had it all wrong. I convinced myself that my wisdom and discernment was greater than his.
It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard
Impossible is not a word
It’s just a reason for someone not to try
If only I had the faith to know that God would provide all the funds needed and miraculously- from one individual. At the time it was the largest gift I had ever solicited and unfortunately I doubted God’s providence the entire time.
Overcome the odds
You don’t have a chance
When the world says you can’t
It’ll tell you that you can!
I see myself stepping out of the boat each time I have been called to help raise millions of dollars for one of His ministries. At the outset before a single dollar is raised we step out in faith confident in His provision. Unfortunately, somewhere along the way, the wind begins to blow, we become afraid, and we take our eyes off Jesus.
Everybody’s scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water
It’ll be alright
Today I am faced with another decision either to have faith or to doubt. Only this time the need is ten-times greater than the first. Having already been blessed with six million dollars towards our eight-million dollar goal, it’s easy to doubt His ability to come through. I am quick to forget how He has provided each and every time before.
Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing
For pastors and other ministry leaders, when money is slow and especially tight, it’s easy for us to doubt His provision. Regardless of how many times He has provided for us in the past, with unexpected checks in the mailbox or that especially generous gift in the offering plate, we still manage to find room for doubt. And in that moment we must be reminded that Jesus is standing right there with us amidst the storm, He reaches out his hand, and says “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
The lyrics are from Kutless’ That’s What Faith Can Do
Readers might also appreciate my recent post entitled The Church in the New Normal.
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