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Development 101: Building a Comprehensive Development Program on Biblical Values
In our 60 years of combined experience with faith-based non-profits we have seen high turnover rates in development staff, a general lack of a driving philosophy/theology of development in most ministries, confusion from boards over their proper role in development, and development staff who are frustrated and burned out by the demands of their work. The common denominator is a lack of a comprehensive, biblically based, fundamentally sound, development strategy.
We see at least four main reasons for this situation. First, far too few ministries have taken the time to think through and create a theology of development that serves as a rule and guide for all of their work in raising kingdom resources. The result is that the demands for money, rather than Scripture, dictate the techniques used for fundraising. Second, many organizations set unrealistic goals and expectations for their development team. When they are not reached, the ministry makes a change and tries again. When you add to this a lack of adequate training for new development officers, the turnover rate is understandable. Third, we see a serious lack of integration in development work. Ministries take a shotgun approach, trying all sorts of different ways to reach income goals, but far too seldom take a comprehensive, strategic approach that serves the giving partners not just the organization. Finally, we experience consistent misunderstanding and confusion over the board’s role in development work, compounded by an inability by the board to develop metrics for measuring effectiveness and success in raising funds based on kingdom principles.
This book is our attempt to address these concerns and provide development professionals with a tool that can help them build robust, God-honoring development programs. It is our prayer that this book will help development staff and CEO’s set realistic goals based on the time it takes to build a solid program and develop genuine, God-honoring relationships with giving partners. We hope this book will be a first step in training people who are new to the development field. We have included charts, templates and diagrams that we hope will aid in understanding how to build your plan and implement it successfully.
This book should also provide readers a picture of a comprehensive development program that they can use to evaluate current programs and make changes as needed. Finally, we wrote this book to help CEO’s and Boards better understand how biblically-based development work should look and be evaluated. We have discussed the role of the board and CEO in your organization’s development success. And, most importantly, we have started with the challenge that the Board, CEO and development team create a theology of development that will drive and guide everything you do.
We see at least four main reasons for this situation. First, far too few ministries have taken the time to think through and create a theology of development that serves as a rule and guide for all of their work in raising kingdom resources. The result is that the demands for money, rather than Scripture, dictate the techniques used for fundraising. Second, many organizations set unrealistic goals and expectations for their development team. When they are not reached, the ministry makes a change and tries again. When you add to this a lack of adequate training for new development officers, the turnover rate is understandable. Third, we see a serious lack of integration in development work. Ministries take a shotgun approach, trying all sorts of different ways to reach income goals, but far too seldom take a comprehensive, strategic approach that serves the giving partners not just the organization. Finally, we experience consistent misunderstanding and confusion over the board’s role in development work, compounded by an inability by the board to develop metrics for measuring effectiveness and success in raising funds based on kingdom principles.
This book is our attempt to address these concerns and provide development professionals with a tool that can help them build robust, God-honoring development programs. It is our prayer that this book will help development staff and CEO’s set realistic goals based on the time it takes to build a solid program and develop genuine, God-honoring relationships with giving partners. We hope this book will be a first step in training people who are new to the development field. We have included charts, templates and diagrams that we hope will aid in understanding how to build your plan and implement it successfully.
This book should also provide readers a picture of a comprehensive development program that they can use to evaluate current programs and make changes as needed. Finally, we wrote this book to help CEO’s and Boards better understand how biblically-based development work should look and be evaluated. We have discussed the role of the board and CEO in your organization’s development success. And, most importantly, we have started with the challenge that the Board, CEO and development team create a theology of development that will drive and guide everything you do.
177 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 30, 2015
10 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
John R. Frank
6 booksJohn Frank is passionate about stewardship. He studies, teaches, and consults on stewardship and believes it is the key to a holistic approach to life for individuals and organizations.
A nationally and internationally recognized speaker and teacher, John's expertise includes stewardship, leadership, nonprofit organizations, as well as biblical training in various topics. He speaks with churches, ministry leadership, boards, and retreats.
His life experience includes ministry to 23 countries, pastor of worship, teaching stewardship in third world countries, evangelist outreaches behind the Iron Curtain, as well as church leadership.
He has served as a Director of Development or Vice President of Development in an international music ministry, Christian School, Christian University and rescue mission. He has consulted with and provided training for many ministries ranging from start-ups to those with $100 million annual budgets.
John is Founder/President of The Frank Group, a consulting firm that presents a holistic, and relational approach to serving non-profit organizations, their leadership, and their donors.
A nationally and internationally recognized speaker and teacher, John's expertise includes stewardship, leadership, nonprofit organizations, as well as biblical training in various topics. He speaks with churches, ministry leadership, boards, and retreats.
His life experience includes ministry to 23 countries, pastor of worship, teaching stewardship in third world countries, evangelist outreaches behind the Iron Curtain, as well as church leadership.
He has served as a Director of Development or Vice President of Development in an international music ministry, Christian School, Christian University and rescue mission. He has consulted with and provided training for many ministries ranging from start-ups to those with $100 million annual budgets.
John is Founder/President of The Frank Group, a consulting firm that presents a holistic, and relational approach to serving non-profit organizations, their leadership, and their donors.
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