Epilogue on Church Fundraising

     I started writing this book at the beginning of 1992. I also bought a new computer - my first - when I was well into my eighties. I published the book in 1996. Since I started writing the book, we have entered a whole new world in almost every way but especially in the church world.

     I had raised money for church buildings and other projects during my time in the ministry but especially since 1972. The most money I had ever raised up to 1994 for any one church was $700,000 for the last building at James River Assembly of God. This was on a one-year pledge.

     When the James River church needed a new location, I was asked if I would be interested in raising the money. Since it would cost 13 million dollars, and I was now 87 years old and had done very little work for some time, I felt this job was far too big for me, so I declined. But I was firmly convinced that the church must make the move, or we would lose the momentum of growth the church was enjoying.

     The church secured one of the best, I think, to do the capital fund campaign C the A/G Financial Services Group, headed by Randall Barton. Larry Russell, one of their executives, took charge of the campaign. The church had also purchased 500 copies of my book, How to Be Happy Giving Your Money Away, to give to their members.

     Pastor Lindell came to me just before they were to have the leadership banquet and take pledges from these key people. He asked if I would speak and raise the pledges in this first fundraising step in the campaign. They seemed to have some question as to their reaching the goal they had set for this first real giving opportunity.

     I did not know the goal, but after the banquet I found that it was 1.7 million dollars from the leadership banquet.

     At first I refused, feeling that I would be intruding, but the pastor assured me that either he or I would be speaking that night. So, I felt if it was to help him, I couldn't refuse to do that.

     But I was afraid. First, I hadn't done any fundraising on anything that big before. And if I failed to raise the amount of money they were expecting, that would be very disappointing.

     But God gave me a message. I felt that if He didn't want me to accept the challenge, why would He give me a message?

     The brand new thing that God gave to me was in 2 Corinthians 9. Here the apostle Paul was conducting a capital funds campaign from the churches of Asia for the famine sufferers in Judea. He called "giving" to this cause "sowing." He said, "Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously" (vs. 6, NIV). He was talking about money.

     The apostle Paul called "giving" to this cause "sowing."

     Having been raised on a farm, I should have thought of Jesus parable about the "sower" in Matthew 13. Some seeds fell by the wayside and were eaten by the birds. Some seeds fell on stony ground and soon withered. Some seeds fell among thorns and thistles and were choked out. All these seeds were uncared for and untended.

     The good ground that brought forth some 100 fold, some 60 fold, and some 30 fold had been plowed, smoothed, planted, cultivated carefully to keep the weeds down, and irrigated when needed.

     In our church the pastor plows deeply with the Word of God. His staff keeps the ground cultivated, helping everyone who has a need. Showers of blessing fall upon the congregation every time we meet.

     It dawned on me that this is the kind of ground that Jesus spoke of that brings forth 100 fold, 60 fold, and 30 fold. In fact, this church birthed a church of over 500 last year besides the hundreds who rededicated their lives to the Lord at the altars.

     Estella and I realized that we may never have an opportunity to sow in such good ground again in our lives.

     We had just pledged $10,000 to another General Council project and also had some other vital interests to support. The logical thing was to pledge $10,000.

     As Estella and I were talking about it, it just occurred to us. "You may never have an opportunity to 'sow in such good ground again in your lives." Could we pledge $20,000?

     We felt no "check" in our spirits, so we went ahead and pledged $20,000. God has enabled us to pay well over $20,000 on pledges during this past year. That is above our tithe, of course.

     We counted the pledges at the close of the meeting. When the balance went over 2 million, the leaders were getting excited. I really didn't know why yet. The final balance totaled $2,740,000. This was $1,040,000 above their goal.

     This money came from about 260 people - most of them couples.

     Larry Russell, who headed the campaign, had done a good job in preparing the people for this meeting. What else set the tone for the meeting? The pastor announced at the very beginning that he and his wife Debbie were pledging $40,000. A combination like that will go a long way toward bringing victory every time.

     One week later, the church pledged $6,400,000 to be paid over a three-year period.

     Do you know what's really interesting? This church, which had just pledged $6,400,000 in March 1998, still had an increase of 19 percent in the general fund giving over the previous year, 1997. This fund consists mostly of the tithe.

     The last payment was made on the present buildings in June 1998. There is no indebtedness on the present church plant as of June 1998, a church that started in January of 1991.

     Dr. George Westlake, who pastors the Family Life Center in Kansas City, Missouri, spoke here last year. I enjoyed his messages so much that I sent him a copy of my book, How to Be Happy Giving Your Money Away. I had no idea he was planning a building program.

     Some time later he called me and said, "Say, I read your book. I like it. I need 100 copies for my staff." A few weeks later, he called me again. He said, "We are getting ready to build. We are running about 3,200. Our staff likes the book so well, they think we should order one for each family in the church. Would you have 1,500 more you could send me?" I shipped the books to him.

     A little later he told me they had just had a staff meeting and would like to have me come and help them raise the money. They had the land but needed to build a much larger building that would cost around $13,000,000.

     I told him I was 87 years old and hadn't been doing much for a while, but if he was sure he wanted me, I would come and help.

     They scheduled the meetings for May 1-3, 1998. They set up a tent on the parking lot that seated 4,000 people so they could accommodate everyone in one Sunday morning service. Every chair was taken.

     We had the Friday night banquet in a place large enough to seat 2,000 with a good dinner, a good program, and one of the best videos I have ever seen. I spoke in that service.

     The leadership meeting was Saturday morning at 10:00 a. m. I spoke briefly about the importance of leadership giving. Their example sends a message to the congregation as to just how important the leadership felt the new building would be. They had chosen a one-year pledge program.

     When we first started taking pledges, Pastor Westlake brought a check for $30,000. Real life began to flow through that whole group of leaders. He had refinanced his house to get the money so he had the cash to pay.

     Next, the chairman of the steering committee pledged $58,000. Then the vice-chairman, a young businessman, brought a check for $100,000. Believe me, that generated great excitement in that leadership meeting!

"When church leaders give, their example sends a message to the congregation"

     When it was finished, as near as I remember, that group had pledged well over $1,500,000.

     Dr. Westlake preached in the morning service. Twenty-nine people accepted Christ, and then he and I took pledges from the congregation. They totaled well over three million dollars on a one-year pledge.

     This is one of the greatest churches I have ever been in. The love . . . the harmony . . . the enthusiasm. Words just can't explain the miracle. You just had to be there to know what I am talking about.

     This was an exceptionally large pledge for a church of that size. More than their annual income and in a one-year pledge.

     Here are some excerpts from Dr. Westlakeís letter.

To Whom It May Concern:

While seeking God for direction to take for the capital campaign, we received a copy of E. M. Clark's book, How to Be Happy Giving Your Money Away.

When I read this book, which outlines procedures, presents personal testimonies, and inspires faith, I knew this was the direction God was leading us to proceed. So I purchased copies for our board and staff to read.

The board members were so inspired by this book that we ordered 1,500 more to give to the families of our congregation. The reaction to the book by the congregation was amazing. Person after person called the office and wanted to know how soon they could start giving. We raised over $3,000,000 in one-year pledges.

In addition, our offerings have grown considerably. This book inspires giving as no other book I have ever read.

Pastor George W. Westlake, Senior Pastor

Sheffield Family Life Center

Kansas City, MO

     I believe that church will triple overnight as soon as they get into their larger building.

     I understand that most of this growth has occurred in the last four years. I believe that the whole church of Jesus Christ is headed into the greatest growth period in history. Churches of thousands are springing up almost overnight. And this is happening in foreign countries as well as here in the U. S.

Radio and TV are literally covering the whole world today. Nations that have forbidden the gospel, under penalty of death, are opening their doors once again to the preaching of the Word. In more and more places, in one years time many churches are running into the thousands.

     This rapid growth in the spreading of the Word of God has made it necessary for large amounts of money to be raised to finance this great harvest and then to care for the harvest.

"People are giving thousands where they used to give hundreds"

     Great ministries have to be supported, and great crowds have to be housed. These multitudes have to be disciplined and cared for. This is why God set pastors in the church.

     As I have started working again, at least part of the time raising funds for these causes, I find that people are giving much more than they used to. They are giving thousands where they used to give hundreds.

     Part of that secret is found in that same story in 2 Corinthians 9 where Paul likens giving above your tithe to "sowing." Paul says, "Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness" (vs. 10, NIV).

     I was 60 years old before I learned that it paid to sow larger amounts. We have paid our tithe faithfully first to the church. After I went into the ministry, I paid into the district whatever they required. Most districts asked for 100 percent of the ministers tithe when I pa stored. This we have always been careful to do. This is basic in all our giving.

"As long as we keep on giving, God keeps right on supplying"

     Giving our own money is what we give beyond our tithe. This is where the greatest blessing comes. Estella and I love to give. I have always wondered what it would be like when we retired.

     Then I noticed the beginning of 2 Corinthians 9:10. "Now he who supplies seed to the sower." I thought, If God supplies seed to the sower, maybe we can continue to give after we quit work.

     And would you believe we have found it is true. As long as we keep on giving, God keeps right on supplying even though I am retired. We are never hurt by giving under the leading of the Holy Spirit. I believe that God is preparing the whole body of Christ to meet the need in this day of harvest.

     I was asked a few months ago to raise $150,000 for Pastor Bill Nichols at Sikeston, Missouri to purchase a new location for the church. He had recently taken the pastorate, and the first thing he wanted to do was to bring up the missions giving. They made an all-out drive and raised about $100,000 in pledges for missions just a few weeks before the capital funds campaign for the money for the land.

"When God prompts you to give do whatever He wants you to do"

     A young man attending Southern Missouri State University called me and told me he had read my book How to Be Happy Giving Your Money Away. The pastor had bought almost 100 copies for the congregation to read.

     He asked if he could come to the house and talk with me. When he came, he told me after he had read my book that he planned to give $10,000. He wondered if I thought he should give more than that. He said he was willing to give $15,000 if God wanted him to. He said his father was giving $15,000.

     I told him to pray about it and do whatever he felt sure God wanted him to do. He was so inspired to give to Gods work; it was amazing for a young man of his age.

     In the capital fund campaign the pastor also pledged $10,000 and told the people what he planned to do. The total pledged on Sunday morning was $250,000 - amazing for a church of that size that had just pledged such a large amount to missions.

     Let me tell you another exciting story.

     George Flattery III is pastor of First Assembly in Battle Creek, Michigan. Jack Strom, a good friend of mine, was conducting a capital fund campaign for him for a building program.

     Pastor Flattery writes, "it's a privilege for me to highly recommend E. M. Clark's book, How to Be Happy Giving Your Money Away. At First Assembly, our leadership read the book and in one evening raised over $500,000 in faith commitments!

     "We then gave a copy to every family in our congregation and more than met our budget for the building. E. M. Clark's book will inspire, inform, and encourage you to give to Gods work simply by emphasizing the benefits that return to the giver."

Just recently Pastor Bob Johnson of Grandview Assembly of God in Grandview, Missouri called and asked for some of my books. He purchased 400 copies.

     One of the staff members wife read the book before her husband. She came into the pastor's office and threw a $20,000 check on his desk and said, "Let's get started building that building!"

     Pastor Johnson came and picked up another 100 books. He needed only $700,000. After reading the book carefully, he felt he could raise the money himself. The following is a letter from him.

February 8, 1999

To Whom It May Concern:

"That book is worth its weight in gold!" These were the words spoken to me by Dr. George W. Westlake as he stepped on the platform. He pointed to a stack of E. M. Clarkís book, How to Be Happy Giving Your Money Away.

Pastor Westlake had given 1,600 of the books to his congregation at Sheffield Family Life Center in Kansas City, Missouri. They had followed Brother Clarkís strategy in a very successful capital fund drive. We were now doing the same, and Dr. Westlake was our speaker Friday night and Saturday morning.

We were preparing to build a $700,000 activities building. We had given out 500 books to our congregation at Grandview Assembly and were following chapter eight precisely. Our banquet was a very successful night of fun, food, and fellowship. Brother Westlake delivered an inspirational message on biblical principles of giving. The personal experiences he shared topped it off.

Our Saturday morning leadership rally was one of the most awesome experiences in my 42 years of ministry. The 115 who gathered there responded to the short message and the moving of the Spirit with pledges of over $300,000 to be given within one year.

The most glorious thing was the unity of purpose it brought to our leadership. The rest of the congregation followed Sunday morning with additional pledges, bringing the total of our weekend victory up to $533,000. We still have more to come from absentees and "out of towners" on our mailing list. We are praising God and believing that when it is time to finalize the construction loan, we will not need a permanent loan.

The expenses for our capital fund drive were simply the cost of the books, the banquet, printing, and some promotions through mailing and honorarium.

I plan an annual "victory weekend" for future projects, going by the book that is "worth its weight in gold."

Bob Johnson, Senior Pastor

Grandview Assembly of God

Grandview, MO

     I have a very dear friend, Roger Lane, who is working with the A/G Financial Services Group headed by Randall Barton.

     Roger is the Executive Director for Capital Development Services. I would like for him to tell you in his own words why he is in the business of fundraising and why people are giving such large amounts of money today for the work of God.

 

Roger's Comments

     We have seen patterns of giving change in recent years. It is exciting to see God pour out His Spirit and open the windows of heaven to bless those seeking to honor God with their first fruits and seed faith giving.

     For many of us in the fund finding field, few people have provided a leadership path in this special arena. Dr. E. M. Clark has not only blazed a trail for us but has given this book to help raise up stewards for kingdom service for our Lord. He is truly a leader in this field.

     In nearly two decades of fundraising, I have never seen Christians giving in such large amounts as I do today. It is not uncommon to see million dollar commitments given to ministry projects. The question I hear most often when I have asked for a major commitment is, "I want to give a large gift, but how do I do it?"

     When we share with them how others have given and show ways for them to give, they seem to move in the direction of making the gift. I have discovered that if they will say "yes" to God, He will provide the how-to, using His people for His purposes.

     We are currently involved in a national and international campaign for Ethiopia. The needs are so tremendous. The average income for an Ethiopian is $129 per year. Since the fall of communism in 1992, an unprecedented revival is taking place. Two years ago in Addis Ababa, the capital city, a man started a "home" church with 46 members, which has already grown to 10,000 members. New professions of faith occur daily.

     This growing multitude must be housed. Pastors and leaders must disciple these crowds. A college to train leaders is a must. There is an ever-present need to care for the physical needs of the hurting. God has led us to accept this challenge.

     Our present campaign will build a 10,000-seat worship center, a campus for the Addis Bible School, and a care center to feed, clothe, and provide dental, optical, and medical care for the people. The estimated price tag is $7,000,000 to $8,000,000. We have been in the silent phase of the campaign for just over 120 days and have received $4.4 million in early commitments. This is a result of 28 commitments at this time. I have never seen anything like it.

     My quick answer to why this is happening is that it is a "God-thing." He is moving on the hearts of His people, and they are responding to His Spirit to meet the needs caused by the greatest harvest the church has ever known with the resources God has placed within their hands for this very purpose.

     I truly love what I do. I feel that this is my calling. In 1 Corinthians 12:28, God lists the people He has set in the church. The gift of helps is listed right along with the apostles and prophets, so I feel it must be an important operation. It makes me happy anyway, and those who give to the Lordís work are very blessed.

     My greatest joy is watching the Lord raise up givers. These people desire to be faithful and obedient to His Word. On many occasions in church campaigns, I have observed scores of people having an inner struggle with God in making decisions concerning giving. Giving is a very natural behavior when we understand Godís plan of economy. When people learn of God's desire to use them to give and bless others, there is excitement and fulfillment.

     It is a fact; God will provide seed to the sower as we desire to partner with Him in ministry. Great needs for ministry have created great faith among God's people.

 

Conclusion

     This is typical of Roger Lane's fundraising campaigns. There must be someone who raises more money than he does. I guess that in my 65 years of ministry, I just haven't had the opportunity to meet him.

     This is also typical of the giving of God's people today. There is unprecedented growth . . . unprecedented need . . . and unprecedented giving in this great harvest that is going on almost worldwide.

"The ground is better today than ever before"

     I firmly believe that the harvest we see signifies that the coming of Jesus is very close at hand . . . that the harvest will increase and the need for housing and leadership will become more and more in demand as we draw nearer to His coming.

     This is the time to work . . . this is the time to give. He that soweth bountifully will reap bountifully. The "ground" is better today than ever before. This must be the time for the 100, 60, and 30 fold return to the sower.

     These must truly be the days when God will pour out His Spirit on all flesh just before His return.

     Maranatha! The Lord cometh! Let us rejoice and be glad!

"Giving is very natural when we understand God's plan of economy"

How To Be Happy Giving Your Money Away
by E.M. Clark

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