Barnabas File

If you are like me, you have a natural aversion to engaging in a conversation about money.     There are times, however, when we have to step up and accept the challenge.     There may be a specific need in the life of the church, a person in need, or a significant ministry opportunity.    On those occasions, there are some key things to remember. First, it’s not about you.  Although your relationship may have opened the door for the conversation, you are asking for a contribution because you believe in the cause the person would be funding.  Even though it may be supporting a ministry where you are the key leader, you are seeking a gift for something bigger than yourself, one that will benefit others. Second, be prepared to offer a clear, concise description of the cause and the anticipated outcomes or results.  For example, “When we fund this initiative, we will provide weekend meals for over 400 elementary school ...

Let me tell you a story about some friends of mine.  This Christian couple are longtime church members. The husband’s family practiced the tithe (ten percent of one’s income BEFORE taxes, of course), believed that the church was the “storehouse” of God’s tithe, and taught him the same. The wife’s family were church donors but not tithers, but when they married, the couple decided to be regular contributors to the church, always giving ten percent of their income. The church they have attended for years was a generous supporter of the denominational missions program at one time, usually sending more than ten percent of its undesignated gifts to the denomination for “missions” (that included not only domestic and foreign field personnel, but seminary support, benevolences, etc.).  In fact, their church was one of the largest supporters of the denominational work in the state. Something interesting happened several years ago, however. The church found that it needed mo...

If you haven’t noticed, theological education in North America is going through a “shake-out” process. I learned this week of one free-standing denominational seminary that is negotiating to become the divinity school of a college in the same denomination.  Other seminaries are combining or closing their doors.  Those that survive with find new partners and strengthen their relationships with old partners. New approaches to theological education like those being offered by Central Baptist Theological Seminary require contextualization and creativity, but they will fail without cooperation.  Healthy, flexible, and supportive partners are needed for these efforts to be successful. Partners assist theological institutions in a number of ways.  For one thing, partners—church, judicatories, other institutions—link the theological schools with potential students.  Seminaries and divinity schools are exhibiting flexibility by offering programs to edu...