Faith and Governance: The Roles of the Ministry Board

Wisdom. Dedication. Leadership. Advisors. These are all terms commonly used to describe nonprofit board members. And all of these terms are applicable and relevant. But what about board members of the average nonprofit ministry? Is there one role that is more needed or desired over another? Or should other roles be added to the list?

To start, ministry board members play a unique role that contrasts with the secular nonprofit boards. Ministry board members are involved in spiritual work, that is, the mission of their organization takes its lead from the Lord and so all that comes under the heading of the organization is subject to the Lord’s leadership. This may sound overstated, but you might be surprised at how some board members of Christian organizations forget their spiritual roles.

Yes, there are common obligations for both secular and Christian boards. For example, board members have responsibility for the organization’s mission and strategic direction, for ensuring its fiscal health, for hiring and evaluating an executive director, for being an advocate of the organization, for making and monitoring policy, and for developing resources. In the Christian organization, let’s add to the list these items: ensuring the witness of the institution, promoting a Christian worldview, maintaining standards based in Scripture, and keeping the organization accountable to God.

Ministry board members have a double dose of responsibility. One thing is certain–continued success for the ministry depends on regular prayer and seeking the Lord’s direction above all else. Board members should not take this role too lightly. Spiritual direction is key and should drive all other decisions of the organization.

This spills over into developing support for the ministry. Board members must view fund-raising not as a transaction, but rather a chance to be involved in the transformation of the giver. When we understand that God owns it all and that we have a duty to be good stewards of all entrusted to us, it becomes exciting to be involved in the asking process. This is a direct invitation to lay up treasures in heaven, to have something credited in heaven to the giver’s account.

As ministry board members grab hold of the transformation process and realize the significance of their roles, they will be better equipped to exercise faithful leadership for the organizations they serve.

Obama’s and McCain’s Charitable Giving: Observations for the Next Generation

By now you are probably aware that both Barack Obama and John McCain have posted prior year personal tax returns on their respective websites for public inspection. Public officials being public about private financial matters merit some positive and public praise. But let’s be careful as we scrutinize the candidates’ charitable giving.

Yes, we see that Obama’s giving was minimal for years 2000-2004 (close to a cumulative $10,000 for these 5 years) and suddenly shot up in 2005 as he honed in on his candidacy for President. This coincides with a dramatic increase in his AGI to $1.6 million the same year; however, total charitable giving was still less than 5% of the Obamas’ AGI. In contrast, McCain’s charitable giving appears relatively stable from year to year within a range higher than 20% of his AGI. We do know that his wife Cindy inherited a fortune from her family and that her tax returns have not been made public. The Foundation they give from favors the private schools their children attended.

I don’t care to analyze the candidates and their charitable giving at length, but what are some observations we might make for Christ followers and next generation stewardship from this cursory review?

Why not start with the fact that our tax returns are not made public, but our Lord knows them. If we truly believe in an omniscient God who knows us and watches over us, then our giving is no mystery to Him. So, to whom are we accountable? It would appear that public officials publicizing their tax returns strive for accountability to the public that they serve; likewise, as a Christ follower we should strive for accountability to our Lord we serve, properly handling the resources that flow through us. A good question to ask is, “Lord, what do You want to give through me?” Not, “Lord, what do you want me to give?”

Also, our giving to the Lord’s ministry should not be done to gain favor in the eyes of other people. Political candidates especially seem sensitive to gaining favor from groups as a way to enhance their political stature. Sometimes I fear that the successful business owners within our congregations seek positions on stewardship campaign committees to gain the favor of their fellow congregants rather than truly being sacrificial. What happened to the “not equal gifts, but equal sacrifice”? I’ll never forget the time we joined a church and went to the counseling room with a couple of deacons, one a real estate agent who on the way out of the counseling room gave me his card and said to call him if we were interested in buying a house. Business owners should nail their business cards to the cross when they come to church.

Another observation is that public officials give themselves to their parties first. Undoubtedly this influences their charitable giving. Who have we given ourselves to? I like to think that we, like the Macedonians in 2 Corinthians 8:5, first give ourselves to the Lord and to His will. Then, out of that giving flows the freedom of passionate stewardship of what God has entrusted to us.

Do we owe an account to the public? Yes, to be the faithful stewards of the witness of how Christ has changed our lives. Public officials may deem their financial transparency adequate, but show me one who is willing to go the extra step to be accountable to the Lord. The next generation cannot afford to compartmentalize their stewardship, but to make it one of the marks of their devotion to a cause that is greater than any political party on the face of the earth.

Soap and Toothpaste: A Testimony About Giving

I ran across an old book the other day titled Spiritual Life Through Tithing by Ernest Thomas. Glancing through the book I saw a brief paragraph about William Colgate, the founder of the Colgate-Polmalive Company, maker of soaps and dental-care products. I thought it might be useful to share this paragraph about Mr. Colgate:

“William Colgate was a tither throughout his long and successful business career. He gave not merely one-tenth of the earnings of Colgate’s soap products; but he gave two-tenths, then three-tenths, and finally five-tenths of all his income to the work of God in the world. During the later days of his life he revealed the origin of his devotion to the idea of tithing. When he was sixteen years old he left home to find employment in New York City. He had previously worked in a soap manufacturing shop. When he told the captain of the canal boat upon which he was traveling that he planned to make soap in New York City the man gave him this advice: ‘Someone will soon be the leading soap maker in New York. You can be that person. But you must never lose sight of the fact that the soap you make has been given to you by God. Honor Him by sharing what you earn. Begin by tithing all you receive.’ William Colgate felt the urge to tithe because he recognized that God was the giver of all that he possessed, not only of opportunity, but even of the elements which were used in the manufacture of his products.”

William Colgate died in 1857 but left behind a company that is successful to this day and a college that bears his name. What can we learn about stewardship from Mr. Colgate? Many things. Colgate not only believed in tithing but also believed in giving in an increasing measure over his life. It was not enough to give a tenth—Colgate wanted to express his love for the Lord by giving an increasing amount to the Lord’s work. Also, Colgate heard a testimony about tithing from someone who believed in it. This captain of the canal boat undoubtedly understood what it meant to tithe and it was his personal testimony that encouraged Colgate. Finally, Colgate recognized that by tithing he gave back to God who was the giver of all he possessed. God owns it all and Colgate learned this important lesson early in his life.

Do you believe in tithing as a personal testimony to the Lord’s goodness toward you? I think today’s church would benefit greatly by sharing more testimonies about tithing and giving as practical necessities for the Christian. Tithing involves personal surrender and sacrifice and has the potential to help us perhaps counter the rampant secularism and materialism of our society. I would encourage you to pray how the Lord may be directing you in this area of your spiritual life. Next time you brush your teeth, remember Colgate’s testimony.