Marc’s Musings

I’m playing with Facebook some more and have created and updated my Ask Without Fear! Facebook page.

If you’re on Facebook too, would you become a fan? The link is:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ask-Without-Fear/7433235241

While you’re there, feel free to become my friend! My profile is at:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=656587015

I just posted my thoughts on The Big Give.

Bottom line? I like it.

For more of what I like and what worries me, go to:
http://fundraisingcoach.com/blog/2008/03/03/the-big-give/

I’m having quite a week!

Tuesday, I was invited to train the super-elite fundraisers for Habitat for Humanity International in Atlanta. I’ve been a fan of Habitat for years. And what a terrific group of development people they have!

Now I’m at the Consortium for Endowed Episcopal Parishes annual conference speaking on fundraising to people employed by their parish as stewardship directors. What a cool job!!! These folks are right in the thick of engaging Christians with the place of their resources in their spiritual journey.

It’s an incredible privilege to be speaking to such terrific people. These people are expanding the Kingdom in some pretty creative ways!

I’m trying to make a powerpoint for my Fundraising in the Bible.

Does anyone know where I can find a picture of Hezekiah?

Seriously.

Didn’t realize he’d be so hard to find.

It’s happened!

In a pluralistic world, it’s increasingly hard to know what to say at this time of year.

“Merry Christmas” is great but not everyone is a Christian. Having lived in Jerusalem, I know that 12/25 is just another day for Jews, Muslims, and Orthodox Christians. I find people are happily surprised to have a pastor recognize their traditions too.

“Seasons Greetings” is safe. “Holiday wishes” sounds somewhat contrived.

But I just heard myself say, “Happy year-end!” to a board member.

Happy year end?

Yikes. Can you tell I’ve been answering year end giving questions all day?

And it has nothing to do with the yearend 20% off sale I’m having at Fundraisingcoach.com store for blog and ezine folks!

[A colleague just told me, "At least you didn't say 'Happy rear end'! ]

I’ve recently become aware of two things about the title of my book The Get R.E.A.L. Guide to Asking for Money: Connecting Donors with What Matters to Them Most.

1. It is really long.

2. The “R.E.A.L.” raises spam alerts.

Would you help me by voting on keeping this title or choosing one of three new ones?
Click here to take survey.

As a thank you, your email will be entered into a drawing for a free copy of the book.

Click here to take survey.

To read more about the book, go to: http://fundraisingcoach.com/realsimpleguide.htm

[Update 8/27: Thanks to everyone that's responded to the book title survey!

Although a shorter one seems popular, many of you are making persausive arguments for sticking with the title I have. Most of your comments reflect that the word "fear" in the title isn't a good thing.

And many of you are nice to say that my writing makes seeming difficult things like fundraising feel "simple." I still have to get the final from my publisher but it looks like the book title will stay as it is!]

From my Google QOTD

Too many have dispensed with generosity in order to practice charity.

- Albert Camus

I hope and pray that will never be said of me!

I just read in the Chronicle of Philanthropy that the emptytomb.org released their annual update on church giving.

According to the article, Protestant Christians gave only 0.38% of their income to missions and outreach. These Christians, from 34 denominations, also gave just over 2% of their income to church operational expenses.

2%!

For crying out loud, we’re paying 20% on credit cards. *sheesh*

Can you imagine what havoc we’d wreak on hell if we all at least tithed?

I just love Seth’s ability to articulate great ideas. Like his blog on the two problems.

So…what problem are you not admitting?

For the first time ever, my ongoing article on Fundraising in the Bible is available in web format.

Web pages: http://fundraisingcoach.com/bible.htm

PDF version http://fundraisingcoach.com/fundraisinginbible.pdf

I’d love to hear your thoughts!