God created us to live in a community with others. Writing to the Romans, Paul makes our mutual dependency a focal point of his letter. “I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to make you strong— that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s […]
Reflections on Mom
Mothers and their children have a powerful relationship like no other. I am a witness to this. I’m a son, and I’ve walked with my incredible wife Paula as she mothers our two sons, who are now grown-up young men. As your life from childhood to adulthood unfolds, a slow change occurs. You begin with […]
Inform to Impact
Development is a journey of moving from treating everyone equally to treating everyone individually. You’re never going to do that perfectly. You’re never going to be able to treat all people individually ideally, but you always want to be moving toward that. One step in the right direction would be to use input and feedback […]
Evil is Eliminated
Let’s face it – we are living in a crazy time. Let’s just look at the past several years…a global pandemic, war torn countries, ever increasing interest rates, and soaring gas prices (just to name a few things) have likely impacted you personally, and quite possibly your ministry. I want to speak to the doubt, […]
Facing the New Year
As we embark on our next year together, it’s important to point out the value of the face-to-face meeting. In our world, there are countless ways to communicate without actually connecting. At DLC, we’re focused on building and growing relationships. Guess what? So are your donors! Efficient communication has its time and place. Effective communication […]
Who’s Who in Your What?
I once heard Chuck Swindoll say Paul was a recovering people pleaser. Galatians 1:10 says it best as Paul asks, “Am I now seeking the favor of men or of God, or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” Paul […]
Engaging Endowments
“Endowment” is a harsh word for many, but it need not be. I suggest, instead, we think of it as an allowance. When our boys were younger, they completed certain chores around the house as part of our family. In return, they received a small allowance. Knowing they would most likely complete their assigned tasks […]
Mission or Movement?
What came first? The mission statement or the movement? Like the age-old chicken or the egg, there isn’t a definitive starting point that always hits the mark. If you’re in development, you may find organizations and ministries for which you could ask – and never answer – this very question. Sometimes, organizations hit the ground […]
What’s the Plan?
Resting in peace, not dead. Between jobs, not unemployed. Thrifty, not cheap. Unique, not odd. Golden years, not old age. Euphemisms are proof of just how much the English language loves to spin. It’s time for a spin in development. It’s time to present the possibility of Planned Giving. Organizations faced with the stress of […]
Shaken, Not Stirred
“For behold, I am commanding, and I will shake the house of Israel among all nations, as grain is shaken in a sieve, but not a kernel will fall to the ground.” These words from Amos 9:9 are resonating with me and I feel called to share them with you during the latter part of […]
Shaped by Sway
As humans, we cling to what is tangible when defining our success. In the world of advancement, it’s tempting to measure success by funds raised and the number of zeros before the decimal point. But, to get to the top, we look at the bottom line. Development is the work of raising money. We must […]
Playing the Long Game
Think back to when you were a senior in high school. Try to place yourself back into the mentality of the world being your oyster. The future was wide open, and yours for the taking! Or was it? Did your parents help guide you through it? Perhaps you found an out-of-state school with all the […]
What’s Your Type?
Years ago I adopted a strategy when addressing board members in a way that’s direct but gentle, effective but compassionate. When working with board members who serve at schools, a colleague of mine likes to ask new board members how many children they have attending the school. As most parents do, a smile will spread […]
Virtual Vision
Have you ever purchased a lawnmower and then decided you’d rather use it as a shower curtain? Probably not. Form follows function – in more ways than one. You’ve heard us advocate for hiring better rather than hiring often. What does that mean when you hire an individual for an office position and they’re now […]
Ordinary for the Extraordinary
Missionary and evangelist Jim Elliot once wrote, “Forgive me for being so ordinary while claiming to know so extraordinary a God.” Elliot had a heart for unreached people and a passion for sharing the Gospel. For more than three years, Elliot worked with four other missionaries to orchestrate Operation Auca. The Huaorani people were an […]
The Core 4
How can you know where you’re going when you don’t know where you are? The same holds true in reverse! Paying attention to the CORE FOUR will keep you on track!
Reminders for Relating
Little nudges make for big impacts in the minds of your donors. In the unknown, make sure current and past givers know where your ministry stands…and how to stand by you!
5 Wrongs Don’t Make a Right
Do you learn more from success or failure? I am a firm believer in the power of using what went wrong to make something go right. Here are 5 mistakes to avoid.
Covered NOT Cancelled
Ecclesiastes 7:21 states in part, “Do not take to heart all the things people say…” Ignoring what others say about something or someone you care about has always been easier said than done, but never more so than in these past few months. Divisions from cultural movements have swept the news cycle, filled our social […]
Clear Skies Ahead | Flying Above Overwhelm
I’ve always been mystified with flight. The fact that those who came before us were so bold as to see the birds of the sky and think, “Hey, we can do that!” is astounding in its own right. Add to it that two young, adventurous, North Carolina boys made that dream a reality blows my […]