The Leader and the Rich Man

Fundraising or 'Donor Development' or whatever you wanna call it has been the biggest surprise in leading a new church.  I way underestimated how much money it takes and I way overestimated how much rich people will give without a PERSONAL direct invite to do so.  

Now, people have been extremely generous to Phos Hilaron Church in these early months and God has found ways of supporting us through great people over and over again.

But, as I sat yesterday with a friend of Phos who has the ability to make and give lots of cash I realized how easy it would be to 'fold' on key issues that make Phos unique and to shift positions in order to insure the potential 'investor' that his donations will fit his portfolio desires.

And, I must pray, will pray, and am praying that I never sell Phos or myself down that road.  I can see why Jesus said that it's easier for a Camel to squeeze through a tiny hole than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom.....or at least for the Rich Man to understand that the 'Kingdom' doesn't revolve around the spindle of his donation.  

So, the leader must always re-center her/his faith on Christ alone for this mission to be accomplished.  It's never an individual or human that our enterprise must please -- it's always the Ultimate Investor-- God Himself whom we must answer to.  And, we must position THE Church right in the middle of HIS portfolio expectations as the ONE who established the Mission in the first place when he bought crucial assets with the blood of His one and only.  

So this morning, I"m re-centering and re-callibrating and praying to stay faithful to HIS mission for me and for PHOS.  And, even more than that to know that HE can deliver us in any olde way He wishes.  Through anyone He chooses.  

Jeff Fuson

Jeff Fuson serves as Point Leader for Phos Hilaron Church near Louisville Kentucky. Jeff's # 1 passion is being a husband and daddy. A close second is seeing people grow spiritually. As a Professional Speaker Jeff also serves as a Keynote Speaker & Trainer crafting & delivering high impact keynote addresses & training events for Entrepreneurs, Banks, Credit Unions, and small to medium sized non-profit & for profit enterprises. He's got one incredible wife and 3 awesome children.