Featured Inspirations
A Spirituality of Fundraising
BOOK SUGGESTION
A Spirituality of Fundraising
by Henri J.M. Nouwen
This inspiring book by Henri Nouwen offers a refreshing new way to view raising money in the church. Nouwen writes: “From the perspective of the gospel, fundraising is not a response to a crisis. Fundraising is, first and foremost, a form of ministry. It is a way of announcing our vision and inviting other people into our mission.”
For Kairos, in our work with hundreds of churches and organizations, Nouwen’s writings are a perfect complement to the way we approach fundraising. We recommend using this new edition of A Spirituality of Fundraising as a group read for councils, staff and especially stewardship ministry teams. A review of the book on the Nouwen Society website includes the following: “Henri encourages fundraisers to become more confident and joyful, standing up in their asking without apology. And in this vision they do not profit alone, because donors also participate in a new communion with others while becoming part of a much larger spiritual vision and fruitfulness.”
Here are a few more selections from the book:
- “As a form of ministry, fundraising is as spiritual as giving a sermon, entering a time of prayer, visiting the sick, or feeding the hungry.”
- “In fundraising as ministry we are inviting people into a new way of relating to their resources. By giving people a spiritual vision, we want them to experience that they will in fact benefit by making their resources available to us…Fundraising from the point of view of the gospel says to people: ‘I will take your money and invest it in this vision only if it is good for your spiritual journey, only if it is good for your spiritual health.’ ”
- “Those who need money and those who can give money meet on the common ground of God’s love.”
To read the original Spirituality of Fundraising conversation with Henri Nouwen at Luther Seminary's website go here.
To purchase this book, visit the Nouwen site at Henrinouwen.org. Single copies are $12 each; in packs of ten, they are $10.00 each.