Stewarding Your School with Confidence in a Turbulent World
Jan Stump, MA, CFRE
Director of Development and Public Relations, ACSI
How do we retain students and fund our school’s mission in times of economic turbulence? Christian school leaders are facing these daunting questions, knowing that school families will have difficulty making tuition payments, much less contributing to the annual fund or fulfilling a campaign pledge. The ripple effect from an economic downturn is far-reaching and often delayed. Higher costs of living, depreciated home values, and job loss will affect the families who fill our school and the faithful friends who contribute to sustain its mission. How should we respond in times of disequilibrium and change? As nonprofit leaders forecast for the months ahead a perfect storm for philanthropic giving, we must prayerfully and carefully consider how best to steward the spiritual, material, and human resources entrusted to us.
I believe that the answers to these critical questions rest in understanding the distinction between being a steward rather than an owner of the work that God has called us to do. If we acknowledge the scriptural reality that it is God’s responsibility to sustain and flourish the mission and vision of our school, then we can trust that its future is in God’s hands. God is the owner. We are called to oversee and manage what He entrusts to us. This reality is challenged, however, when resources seemingly dry up and fear permeates our cultural climate. After all—we can argue—it is tough enough to fund the budget in a stable economy. Yet faith calls us to believe that God’s economy is entirely different from the world’s economic market.
That is why the apostle Paul writes to the Philippians that “I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am” (Philippians 4:11, Amplified Bible). He has learned that whatever his earthly circumstances, he can draw on the abundance of God. Faith demands that we rely on God to provide what we need and not on our limited resources. Such faith requires the discipline to ask, wait, and discern God’s will, rather than move forward simply because we have the ability to do so. In time, the fruit of this discipline is righteousness (Hebrews 12:11) and the joy of knowing that God always provides for the work He calls us to do. The writer to the Hebrews stresses in chapter 13, verse 5, that we can be content with our present circumstance rather than be concerned or grasping because “[God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you). [Assuredly not!]” Get the point? The amplified version of this text reveals the triple negative that precedes the verb in the original language. We please God when we trust Him to provide for us, His children.
Our faith should not be passive. As we rest in God’s care, we must joyfully do the following things through times of adversity as well as prosperity:
Exhibit an attitude of trust and gratitude to all you serve—including families, staff, volunteers, and donors. Continue your involvement in community service, church outreach, and student missions. Give out of the abundance of God’s grace to you and your school.
Continually communicate the mission and vision of your school in compelling ways to your constituency. Search out ways to articulate how God is at work in every facet of your program. In your communication with parents, donors, and volunteers, take the time to carefully “connect the dots” between what you do every day and your school’s stated mission and vision. This good news will fuel their excitement and feed their personal commitment.
Cultivate relationships with your constituency every day. Take every opportunity to learn more about the individuals and groups that have faithfully supported your school in the past. Take time to thank them and inquire about their welfare. Although this may not be the time to ask for support, it is always timely to show loving concern and sincere gratitude.
Provide ample opportunity for involvement through gifts of time, expertise, and service. Even though some individuals and groups may be unable to make a financial contribution at this time, many can still give resources from hearts of love and commitment.
Turbulent times call for men and women of faith, courage, and an undeniable sense of God’s calling and anointing. And these are the gifts most needed by Christian school leaders—no matter the circumstances.
Friends and Funds 12.3