What Money Means to Ministry

"Money follows the ministry." - Timothy J. Winters

Money is a means for ministry.  We make things happen in ministry with the aid of money.  It can happen in the form of charitable donations, offerings, tithes and other ways that people give to the ministry.  Money helps the ministry.

Wise Words from Winters

When Pastor Timothy J. Winters shared his insights on money following the ministry with me, he was speaking on preparation for a minister to discover his own personal calling.  He stated that some wanted to wait on the money to begin their ministry, an approach that did not signify a high level of faith.  We are to build the ministry, and the money and other resources needed will follow the ministry's work being initiated.

What Money Means to Ministry

We do not need money to operate ministry.  

That's a fact.

There is no doubt that money helps churches, parachurches, faith-based nonprofits and countless coalitions and associations doing good works.  However, money is not the main resource for ministry.  There are other resources incorporated in the anatomy of ministry that keep it going beyond money.

Money helps ministry.

Money helps us help others beyond what we are already doing for people.

Expanding the Ministry

We can expand the ministry from what it has been or who it has been helping, even where it has been operating.  Imagine the vision it took for Robert Schuller to see the possibilities of an empty drive-in movie theatre in Orange County.  It took vision, but it also took money to build the Crystal Cathedral, to produce the longstanding Sunday TV broadcast The Hour of Power, and publish a wide array of books.  With financial support, along with patience and dedication, the ministry was able to expand beyond its origin to world-renowned standing.

Life Path Gear & Accessories

The money did not make the ministry.  The money only served the purpose of helping to expand the ministry.

Money can help us serve more people.  It can help us produce and sell more products like gear and accessories.  It can help us provide more goods and services to the poor and needy.  It can help us take our ministry further than the current borders of our service.

Money can help with expanding the ministry.

Enhancing the Ministry

Money is a means for enhancing the ministry.

In other words, the ministry can grow in a different way and to a different level with the help of money.  You can enhance the ministry with additional elements.  You might change the selection of available items at your food pantry.  You might be able to provide your volunteers t-shirts or buttons to wear while serving.  You could enhance your ministry with more money.

You just have to be careful with sponsorships and donations.  These should help you do what you do, not direct and determine what you do.  You do not want money to inhibit or limit the ministry's ability to do good for others.

Money can help enhance the ministry.

Just keep it all in mind.  Money has a place in ministry, but money only follows the ministry.  Follow your heart first.  Find your calling.  Focus on that calling and its work.  You will be overwhelmed and amazed at the world of supporters out there, especially those who have more to offer than money- a willingness to pitch in and do some of the work with you.

Read more from Rev. Bruce on the Calling to Serve:

• Called Out and Counted On
• Shepherding is Serving
• Serving as Ministers

@Prayer is designed to stir up inspiration
by Lifepath08

Special Events and Beyond

"I shape my own destiny." - Laurie Beth Jones

Your special events are only as special as you make them.  Sadly, if your approach and attention to your special events resemble your regular routine, then you need to assess your readiness to make it a success.  You make special events a success by making them special.  You make them special by adjusting your approach to them.

• Preparation: How you prepare will impact how you perform.  If you are lackluster in preparation, don't expect to tap into some hidden gem of enthusiasm and energy that wasn't present before it is time to perform.  Go full strength with your preparations.
• Promotion: You have to talk it up and take it up a notch. You are to talk it up to get others talking about what's coming.  If you don't show any enthusiasm about what you are putting on, then you won't see many people rushing to get there.  Talk it up and take it up.  Introduce something new.  Innovate it.  Put a new spin on an old idea. Let it wow your audience.
• Presentation: Small budgets don't have make your events small-scale ventures. Get others to partner and support your efforts.  Look at your vendors for discounts.  Do you always use the same caterers or order from the same local restaurants? Ask for a discount and offer premiere signage.  See where you can cut costs without cutting corners.  Keep your presentation flawless and fantastic.

Remember: You shape your own destiny.

Out of the Ordinary Outreach

12 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

- Luke 14:12-14 (NIV)

There is an open opportunity for out-of-the-ordinary outreach today.  People can reach out in all sorts of ways through various multimedia mediums such as social networking and viral marketing platforms.  You can make difference through community-based programs such as CDF Freedom Schools or AmeriCorps.  You can use traditional VBS or Christian youth camp.  You just need to put your trust in the Lord to lead you into the endeavor that He has for you to undertake.

Think through your next move.  Pray over your outreach opportunities.  Make the most of everything that will expand your demographic diversity.  Partner with other organizations to streamline your outreach resources for a singular focus.  You don't gain any ground by remaining in the same place and not making any changes.

Visit National Outreach Convention for a special resource information.

Build Your Reputation with Your Resources

Here's the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.

Luke 16:9 (NLT)

The Lord taught about the power of our possessions. Imagine if you used your wealth to build relationships. Many of the Quakers understood such practices when settling in Pennsylvania, establishing services and organizations that worked towards the greater good of society. Similarly, Richard Allen, founder of the A.M.E. denomination, used his resources to establish the Free African Society (FAS), a non-denominational mutual aid society, which assisted fugitive slaves and new migrants to Philadelphia. The Salvation Army, Goodwill, YMCA and YWCA were all established on Christian beliefs and principles, utilizing volunteer manpower and donated resources to conduct 'good works.' We have countless examples of it being done. Our issue is that we must continue the legacy of building a reputation among mankind by using our resources to provide services and support for the poor and the needy.

Connect within Community

People are not to merely coexist. We are to do more than share air and space together. We are to connect with others as a community. I find that, with the advances of the Internet, social media, and other mobile communications, we have no excuse for not connecting beyond what we have done in the past. We should be even more connected to others than in previous times.

Look at what I said about community on my other blog. Visit http://revbruce.wordpress.com/category/community/ and discover insights and ideas about community in a modern perspective.

Check out www.give.org and www.pointsoflight.org for ways to contribute and connect within your local community. If you want to make a difference in your community, check out http://www.usaweekend.com/section/MDDAY and www.servenet.org today.

Keep up with the latest tweets from Life Path @ www.twitter.com/lifepath01/

Make Moves, Make Money

Are you in business for yourself? Do you find yourself contemplating whether you need to open a for-profit or nonprofit? Are you preparing to turn a hobby into a part-time small business? I think you need to www.score.org or www.sba.gov, even www.irs.gov for information on setting up a start-up business.

Entrepreneurs should check out www.linkedin.com and www.ryze.com as another social media network option. Currently,my page is http://www.ryze.com/go/RevBruce. Get a glimpse of it from time to time.

Business tip for Christians: Set a percentage amount that you want to dedicate to giving to the local church as a "business tithe" or "business offering."

I got something to say. Yep! I've got something to say about Christian ministry, theology, church, spreading the gospel, and reading the Bible, even living out the truth. I've got something to say at http://revbruce.wordpress.com where i let it all out.

We Can Pray

We may not agree on the issues
But we should at least agree to pray.
Even if we cannot come up with solutions,
We can pray over the problem.
We may not walk in agreement
But we can stand in prayer.
Our friends and relations may never be the same
But we can continue to pray for each other.
Without a doubt
The least that we can do
Measures up with the most that we can do
And that is to simply pray.
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Are you a Christian in business? Join Ryze today.
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Rely upon the Lord's blessings and benefits. . .

A New Approach for a New Year

One of my favorite jazz cover songs of a classic song is "Everything Must Change." It doesn't matter if it is Nina Simone or George Benson singing it. The lyrics say what needs to be said to every listener. Everything truly must change.

As 2010 approaches us, I just wanted to share with those who are in ministry and business a simple approach that can assist in making the next twelve months more productive than the past twelve months. Every venture needs a plan. I am firm believer that some people can't handle a lot of information unless it is doled out to them in smalldoses. That's why I suggest the one-page business plan. It's a novel concept that can also be incorporated for ministry as well as business.

One-Page Business Plan (Format)

• Vision: a single statement that tells where you see the business/ ministry in the future
• Mission: a single statement that provides the purpose for the business/ ministry
• Objectives: Bullet points of what you need to accomplish to fulfill the mission and reach the vision
• Strategies: Methods for completing the necessary work to reach objectives
• Timeline: Detail when each strategy will be implemented and completed over the next twelve months

Start with this outline and pray over it prior to kicking off the year. Those who you serve and who serve with you will greatly benefit fromyour planning. Let you coworkers and team members review your outline and provide additional input, insights and ideas for expanding the plan.

More on business plans:

• www.sba.gov
• www.business.gov
• www.managementhelp.org

What I Really Do... Day by Day

Daily, I get up and get connected with God through all sorts of ways; prayer, journal, Bible study, reflection, devotional reading, etc.. I keep my ears open to what God has to say through His Word and my eyes open to what He shows me along my way. I love reading DC Talk's Jesus Freaks and Crazy Love by Francis Chan. I write at least two blogs daily on Wordpress and Blogger as well as status updates via Facebook, MySpace and Faith Freaks. I even tweet on Twitter throughout the day. I love to check on the latest information for business and ministry via the internet on my Treo Pro (no, not the PRE...P-r-o) an via my laptop. I add to my list of public articles, poems and other resources via Christian Archives and other sites.

Service in His Name

I believe that we are to serve God with all that we have in our hearts. With all that we have to offer, our service should speak volumes for itself about our relationship with God. Look at how we approach the end of 2009. There are numerous ways that we can serve and seek to give God the glory and the praise due to His name. We can post to a daily blog online or share via social networks. You can make the most of your free time and volunteer with local agencies or mentor youth through a wide variety of programs. Think about where help is needed and offer your services and time to lend a hand.

Church or Community?

There's a question brewing among the saints. Evangelicals and radicals alike are tossing ideas back and forth. Many folks in Christian circles are trying to figure out what to do during these hard economic times. People are trying to figure out if it is about the church being part of the community or the community being part of the church.

We contemplate the complicated. We mix and mingle a whole lot of mess. In the end, we are left with the simple discovery that there is no better solution than what we had before. The countless ways that we can dream up and scheme up don't seem to matter much because God has already offered the best alternative.

He expects us to be part of the solution to both the community's issues and the church's ills. The church needs to get over itself and recognize that it's not that holy. Church people sin just like evryone else, by thought, word and deed. The church should serve those within the community to help meet unmet needs of the fatherless, homeless, jobless, and others. Our service is not good works if the benefactors are merely other church people. That would make us simply hypocrites. We need to get out into the community and see where we might be able to lend support to existing services and add to the plethora of newly-adapted services needed to reach people at their lowest points as they seek to survive and simply make ends meet. Let the church serve its community, embracing brothers and sisters with all that they have to offer.

The unity of the church will consist
not in organizations,
not in dogmas,
not in liturgies,
not in pious hearts,
but in the word of God
in the voice of Jesus Christ.
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Inspired by God

I am honestly inspired by God as I prepare for an unconventional sermon today. Street preaching, as many will agree, requires one to say what needs to be said and shut up and get out of the way. The Lord will lead you further once you get started, but He gives you enough to get started and share with the people in order to make a real connection with them. At least twice per month, we rotate among 3 to 4 preachers to share a brief inspirational message before a line of people seeking food items and clothes from our community giveaway. Our presentation of the gospel has shifted as hearts have been opened by the Word and our own eyes have been opened to the degree of blight and poverty that exists within our community. As I prepare for my message, I see images of black, brown and yellow faces with hope in their dark eyes. I can't help but hear the Lord's words the "least of these" echo over and over again in my spirit. Keep us in prayer as we serve the people once again.

Bayview Charities Food Giveaway
Sponsored by Feeding America
Every 1st & 3rd Friday
8 AM-10 AM
www.bayviewcharities.com
www.bayviewbc.org
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Visit Rev. Bruce's other blog, too. http://revbruce.wordpress.com

Kingdom Business

Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth,

who will entrust the true riches to you?

Luke 16:11 (NASB)

Being in business, I learned early that there are both blessings and benefits to just hanging out a shingle online or otherwise. However, I also learned that I had a unique responsibility to contribute to the kingdom of God because I was a business owner. We tend to call those who own small businesses those who are "in business for themselves," but I really cannot see it that way any longer.

Christian business owners need to do at least two things for the kingdom of God. It is by doing at least these two things that these Christians can make a difference by being in business.

1. Contribute to the Church: I call this a "business tithe." Through this effort, a business owner can add to the kingdom on a consistent basis with a consistent amount. I would go so far as to say make a commitment about the contribution by consecrating yourself in prayer regarding the gift. Even if it is not your home church, commit to giving and supporting the ministry and mission of the church for the kingdom of God.

2. Contribute to the Community: Give back. Don't just give (throwing money at the issues and problems that exist and persist within our communities). Give of yourself. Volunteer on local boards and coalitions to address pressing issues facing the community such as drugs, gang violence, education, and others. Mentor youth. Offer free or discounted services. Lend your expertise.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

-Matthew 6:21

Where have you placed your "treasure?" Have you laid your treasure up in heaven as directed by the Lord? Or, like many others, have you stored up "treasures on earth?" (v. 19) It's a serious question that serves as a barometer of our stewardship and servanthood. Where is your treasure?

As stewards, we understand that all of what we have is from God and by the grace of God. Thus, the true owner of what we have is actually God Himself. We are to simply care for what has been bestowed upon us as wise stewards and servants, following the lead of our Master and fulfilling His wishes. It is unwise for a steward and servant to do what is opposite of the Master's will and desire. In essence, such simple things can become complex when we venture outside of God's guidance and rely upon our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6). A wise steward does as the Master instructs him or her to do, for he serves the Lord and seeks to please Him.

Keep tabs of where your treasure is directed. Identify what you do with your "treasure" from day to day in order to be certain that God is first and foremost when it comes to your livelihood. Living under grace, we should be more than available and able to understand that a tithe is not all that is required of us. Paul shares it by simply saying: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously (2 Corinthians 9:6, NIV).

Make it your business to know where your treasure goes. Track your spending habits by reviewing your bank statements and checkbook register monthly. Are you giving to God first? How often do you give to charity for the poor and needy? Is there a special program you support for the underprivileged in your community? Check out where your treasure is going.

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"Let us long to be used in the onversion of sinners."-C.H. Spurgeon

I have found it necessary to say some things to church leaders and laity from time to time with regards to evangelism. My heart's desire is that the body of Christ would become more engaged in evangelizing, sharing the gospel message of Jesus Christ with others. Whether it is passing out tracts or door-to-door evangelism, I believe that the church must take this matter to heart and make some serious moves to spread the Word throughout local communities. Naturally, a debate tends to rise from such a suggestion as to whether we should evangelize locally or send forth missionaries to the uttermost parts of the world. My viewpoint is rather simple but strategic when it comes to this debate. There really should be no debate about it. There is work to do on both fronts, but you must sincerely look at where and how God has blessed your congregation with spiritual gifts among the people. You'll have very little impact in South America if you can't even get started in South Central. Your words will fall short on foreign soil when you haven't even shared the Word in your neighborhood. Look at how God used people to influence and impact their immediate surroundings as well as people far and wide. Prayer is essential for guidance with such matters. The Holy Spirit will reveal where you need to start, and then you need to get started there first. the harvest is truly plentiful and we need more laborers to tend to this harvest, but we need people in the right places where they can be effective as led by the Spirit.