i am...

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Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada
i'm the Director of Camp Wapiti and i have the best job in the universe. yes, the whole universe.

Saturday, April 07, 2007

just finished reading...

alright, i realize that this whole 'new year's resolution' thing hasn't exactly gone as planned. but i'm pretty sure i've read more in the last few months than i have in quite a while. since january, i've read (at least parts of - before getting bored and realizing there's not much sense in finishing them because it's painfully obvious where the book is headed):

- velvit elvis by rob bell
- the confessions of st. augustine (didn't actually finish it though)
- the kingdom-focused leader by michael d. miller
- advanced strategic planning by aubrey malphurs
- worship, community, and the triune God of grace by james b. torrance
- confessions of a reformission rev by mark driscoll
- dancing with dinosaurs by bill easum

and i've just finished reading 'the spirituality of fundraising' by henri nouwen.

it's a great (and very short read) about how fund-raising is really a 'conversion' experience. it's the type of experience where the fund-raiser is converted into a more faithful relationship with the God who is providing for him, and the giver is 'converted' into a more faithful and joyful experience of the kingdom of God.

my next project: the normal christian life by watchman nee. i've had nothing but good things said to me about his writings. he was a great leader and influence on the chinese christian church. i'm excited about this one.

4 comments:

Reverend Joyleaf said...

I should probably read "The Spirituality of Fundraising". I really struggle with the idea of churches doing fundraising. To me it goes against what we're supposed to do as far as money and the church.

We live in a time where it seems to be all about what we get out of something. Instead of giving from the heart/pocket with no thought of receiving something in return, there's this idea that "if you give we'll give you a box of chocolates (or cookies; coffee; pumpkin; you name it)". To me something is lost when you give money when you know you're getting something out of it. Where's the sacrifice?

Of course, if the fundraising goes beyond the walls of the church (to people that aren't associated with that church) I have a hard time with asking people to take part in a fundraiser where the funds are going toward something that they aren't a part of. Know what I mean? I guess I've contributed to fundraisers for things I'm not a part of but....the point I'm trying to get at is...should we be going outside the walls of our own church to ask people for money? Where's the sense of ownership? If it's our church we should be the ones reaching into our hearts/pockets to contribute, not going to people to basically say "I know you're not involved in this but would you give us some money?"

I'm rambling and I should probably just read the book. Perhaps my mind will be changed. I just know how I feel when someone knocks on my door or calls me or talks to me at work or stops me in the mall, and I don't even know them, and they want money from me for something I may not even care about. So why would I want to be in the position of hitting up someone to contribute to something they may not even care about?

I'm sure there's always the possibility of a "door" being opened because people may start asking questions (eg. what's this for? oh, so where is this church? can I come?) but I've heard too many people complain (eg "The Salvation Army is asking for money...again").

I could go on and on. I need to read that book.

Reverend Joyleaf said...

Just Googled The Spirituality of Fundraising and found that it's available for free. Why didn't you say so? I've ordered a copy and will give it a read. Then I'll let you know if my mind has been changed.

Reverend Joyleaf said...

Haha, just realized I can read it online...

Michael Krahn said...

Hey,

I just finished reading and I’ve just posted the first of a multi-part series on Rob’s book “Velvet Elvis”.

Join me in conversation at:

http://ascenttotruth.blogspot.com/

Michael Krahn