Development and Leadership Coaching

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The Illusion of Effectiveness

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My father wisely taught me there are no expenses in development.  There are only investments.   Every dollar and hour spent on development should have a corresponding result and impact on giving.   Why?   You don’t exist to keep people employed in development.   That’s not why you’re there. You’re there to bring others alongside you to support […]

Ask In All Seasons

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As leaders, we must proactively reach out in specific ways to people willing to give at different times of the year. Many nonprofit organizations use a fiscal year that starts in August or September and finishes the following summer. Some do operate on a budget year, otherwise called a calendar year. This distinction is important […]

Work Smarter, Not Harder | Maximize Your Calendar’s Potential

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Picture your calendar. What’s the first thing you see in your mind’s eye? Is it a due date? An upcoming party or birthday celebration? The start of a new semester? Time management research shows that the majority of stress and feelings of overwhelm are due to the next two weeks on a person’s calendar. Knowing […]

Your Ministry Needs YOUnity

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As leaders, we must work impactfully with individuals and just as effectively with teams. I have compiled practical tips for your interactions through leadership that will grow trust, influence, and results with others, whether a large group or a party of one, ultimately benefiting your ministry. Let’s dive in, first focusing on EIGHT ways to […]

Now Is the Time for Massive Action

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If you are serving in a Christian school or ministry, we firmly believe that NOW is the time to take massive action to grow significant giving that moves you forward. YOUR potential donors likely feel a sense of opportunity and even urgency in finding and giving to deserving impactful organizations.  Will they choose your ministry […]

5 Numbers to Know in the New Year

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The start of a new year is when people are driven and willing to sit down and look at what’s working and what needs to be reworked.  A clean slate is more than just exciting – it’s a prime opportunity to clarify who your organization is and what it stands for, allowing for disciplined planning. […]

Are They Picking Up What You’re Putting Down?

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Think about the members of your team. Picture them in your office or workspace. What do you see? Who’s listening to music? Who can’t work unless their space is tidied? Does anyone have a variety of colors and textures in their area? What about seating selections? Does everyone use a classic chair or do some […]

Giving | How to Talk the Talk

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Leaders in development are aware there are deficits – costs that must be covered and debts that must be paid.  This is not, however, what donors are interested in hearing.  What’s an organization to do?  What Do We Focus On? It’s important not to think or talk in percentages – even internally – about development. […]

Approval or Affirmation?

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There’s an old saying: ask for forgiveness rather than permission. If you’ve been in advancement for more than two minutes, you’ve been tempted to take this same approach with your board of directors more than once! How can people who don’t see the ins and outs of how you and your team are killing themselves, […]

Relationships That Reach

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My dad always said, “Your salvation will not drop from a distant sky.” Practically speaking, there’s no way to identify and discover large donors from out of nowhere.  The work is called development – it’s a journey, a discipline of connecting the dots and being an excellent steward of the relationships that God has already […]

Unplugged or Unglued?

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Many are still reeling and suffering from the past two years due to a once-in-a-generation health crisis among other challenges . All are still facing the daily working definition of returning to ‘normal’ and what that looks like in ministries.  Reality is a significant challenge that we continue to lead through, and it will continue […]

The Power of Thoughtful Leaders Using Artificial Intelligence

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In the waning days of 2022, we formed a Task Force at Development & Leadership Coaching to consider a specific question. How should generative AI be utilized by leaders who seek to grow significant giving and unlock the hidden capacity in their faith-based organizations? This position paper captures the latest thinking of our team on […]

Growing Church Partnerships

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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 […]

Evil is Eliminated

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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, […]