Should Conventional-Income Workers Fundraise?
I hear ministry-leaders say: “I don’t worry about the funding of conventional-income staff [so-called lay people]; they fund their own ministries.”
Perhaps they do, but have you hit a glass ceiling in ministry expansion?
Recently, a successful African business leader was honest enough to admit, “I can no longer fund my discipleship ministry out of my back pocket!” Similarly, four “lay leaders” who hold mid-level leadership roles in a national ministry confessed they were “weary of self-funding because they couldn’t afford it.” Their wives were not happy either!
“They fund their own ministries” usually involves providing a few biscuits and a pot of tea for a Saturday morning Bible study. But what if the ministry grows to 20, 30 or 60 biscuit-eaters? Put out an “offering” basket! Sure, but that rarely generates positive cash flow!
“I can no longer fund my discipleship ministry out of my back pocket!”
What are the financial implications for lay-leaders (and their families) when they:
Host a city-wide evangelistic dinner?
Are asked (by you) to travel for conferences or planning-meetings?
Buy books or online courses for professional development?
Travel for ministry opportunities in a nearby city?
Sadly, if married, the wives of these faithful laborers often suffer the consequences. Unless they have a huge income, household money is spent for ministry costs. Some use personal savings for international ministry travel. Is that wise?
One thing more. Do your lay-leaders aggressively pursue expanding their ministry, such as reaching a nearby campus or city or social group? If they must fund ministry expansion from their “back pockets,” they will hesitate—a glass ceiling has been hit. You must help them or they will be content with providing a few biscuits.
May I suggest four action steps:
If conventional-income laborers are officially on your team, set an organizational budget for each one—not for salary—but legitimate ministry costs only. Does every co-worker need a budget? No, only those whom you have officially designated with a job description. Reimburse them after they report expenses with documentation.
If you as the leader invite your lay-workers to travel to attend “your” meeting, then you should cover their costs.
Conventional-income workers should be trained in biblical fundraising and giving along with your gift-income staff. Because money is potentially divisive, your team must all be of the same mind regarding money and ministry. This builds mutual trust.
How is their budget funded? You could raise extra funds and transfer it to them! But that robs them of the privilege (and terror) of trusting God for recruiting giving-partners. Train them in biblical fundraising, and they will be confident to recruit 5-10 giving partners—some will be new to the organization. That’s a good thing.
As local leaders recruit local donors, both receivers and givers will be encouraged by one another. “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21).
So, should conventional-income staff fundraise? If they hold an official position in the ministry, yes! Without their ministry costs being reimbursed, will they even consider “hosting a city-wide evangelistic dinner”? They will limit themselves to what is in their back pocket.
As Jesus said, “The worker is worthy of his [or her] support” (Matthew 10:10).
