Johanna’s ministry

Steve — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 14:55:01 +0000

As you may know, this year I started as a partnership development consultant with Wycliffe. I come alongside members whose income is low, and help them build up their support team. Those who work for Christian organisations such as Wycliffe have noticed that patterns of giving and receiving have changed significantly in recent years. There seem to be a number of reasons for these changes. Many churches—traditionally important donors to missions—are heavily committed to local outreach initiatives, and have had to reduce their giving to mission activities overseas. And many individuals feel overwhelmed by the ongoing solicitation for all kinds of funds. Traditionally, Christian giving and receiving was something done ‘in secret’ (Matt. 6:3–4). But now, many people like to talk more openly about money. There has also been an economic decline; and sometimes the financial needs of missionaries are not understood. For these and other reasons some Christian workers, including Wycliffe members, have seen their income drop significantly.

But Christians still desire to give and, as a result of the changes, it’s more and more the case that givers like to have a personal relationship with the person receiving. This is a very positive development. Jesus Himself was supported by a group of women (see Luke 8:3). It is my aim to help colleagues deal with these new realities of giving and receiving. To encourage them to keep on trusting God and discuss ways to find the new God-given supporters they need, in order to do the work to which He has called them. So that, together with our supporters, we all help to provide Scripture in every language that needs one!

To this end, I mostly meet individually with colleagues to talk through their specific situations. In June I led a seminar on partnership development at the start of our yearly Wycliffe conference. Over forty questions and issues were raised by those who attended—too many to deal with adequately in the meeting. I am now looking for effective ways to respond to the needs my colleagues have in regard to partnership development.

One way forward may be to hold occasional workshops for those near enough to the Wycliffe Centre to attend. In anticipation of this I attended a one-week course at the Wycliffe Centre called “Learning that Lasts”. I do still remember what we learned , and hope to put it into practice when the time comes.

Apart from possibly holding workshops/seminars, I will be relating to colleagues working at the Wycliffe Centre to develop a plan of what I can do most effectively during our remaining time here in the UK. I hope to set up something of value to leave behind. So far what I have done has been very warmly received and seems to address a real need. For example, one couple were struggling to find enough financial supporters. The wife was close to resigning to take a paid job, even though they both felt her calling was to stay in Wycliffe. As we discussed the changing patterns of giving and receiving, they adjusted their approach; and although it took time, eventually they had enough supporters. Now she looks radiantly happy in a new Wycliffe assignment.

Meanwhile, please pray there will be someone to replace me. Ideally I’d like to train someone to take over before we go to South Africa (mid-2011).

Thank you for your partnership with us as the Lord leads me into this new area of ministry!

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Fundraising or Team-building?

Steve — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:36:52 +0000

Johanna’s new role in Wycliffe

I now have a new role in Wycliffe as a Partnership Development consultant. This means helping colleagues find the supporters they need to carry out their God-given assignment.

Someone asked me how I raise funds to help fellow Wycliffe members. Actually, I don’t raise funds for other Wycliffe members. I help them find ways to build their own team of supporters.

Fundraising is finding money for a good cause. The good cause, in many cases, is to provide people with something they need. In His Sermon on the Mount Jesus encouraged us to share our possessions. And in Corinthians Chs. 8 and 9 Paul looks for the willingness of the church to share with needy Christians, “so there may be equality [of provision]” (2 Cor 8:13–14).

But I see this as somewhat different from financing those who work full-time for the extension of God’s Kingdom. Financing full-time Christian workers is a way for people to be more directly involved in the extension of His kingdom worldwide. Being part of a missionary or Christian worker’s support team leads to equality of involvement in the Greatest Commission of all time—and equality of joy in serving Him! I prefer to describe what I do as team-building.

In the New Testament we see the ministry of Jesus funded by… women, out of their own means (Luke 8:1–3). Jesus had the humility to accept being supported by women. He had asked the disciples to leave their fishing nets behind. He could easily have provided in miraculous ways. On some occasions He did: feeding large crowds, or paying taxes on one occasion by getting a gold coin from a fish! But that was not His normal pattern. He involved women in His ministry and relied on them for his daily needs. In this way the women became the enablers, and partners, of the work He and his disciples did. How much it must have meant to them to play such a crucial role in the preaching of the Kingdom!

A similar pattern was later followed by Paul, as we can read in his letters: he was supported by individuals and churches. In this way a partnership was established. The letter to the Philippians shows a loving giving–receiving relationship, even though Paul had spent little time with them. He says: “Not that I am looking for the gift, but I am looking to what may be credited to your account”. “The gifts you sent … are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God” (Phil. 4: 17, 18). He knew that their giving would result in great blessing for them. They would know the eternal joy of having been co-workers in His Kingdom through what they gave, serving God with “pleasing sacrifices”.

When I come alongside colleagues whose support is insufficient, we work on this basis. I help them see that we are not beggars asking for money (though it can sometimes feel that way!); on the contrary, we are inviting others to share our joy in serving God. I encourage colleagues to look at all the contacts they have, in faith, believing that He has already picked out those who will be their “partners in the gospel”. Their enablers. The true richness is in the relationship of serving God together. The money that flows out of it is just an expression of the partner’s involvement, though it is also a blessing to both the giver and the receiver, and a “pleasing sacrifice to God”. Sometimes God leads us to invite people directly. At other times He lays it on the heart of individuals to support without being asked. It is all about inviting people to move, if that’s what God wants, from knowing a little about what we do, to becoming partners in giving, befriending, and praying. By so doing they not only enable us, but play a vital role themselves in extending God’s Kingdom.

So, friends, we invite you to share our joy every time a New Testament or Bible is ready for publication; every time I help colleagues find new supporters. Our ministry flows out of your giving. And so does our thanksgiving to Him when we are provided for! In so many ways!!

Giving is such a joy. I would like to see all of us, including us full-time Christian workers, receiving enough to be generous givers. And so being fully part of the giving and receiving cycle (of money and other blessings!) which I believe He intends for us.

Let me finish by pointing out that it is to givers that Paul says, “And my God will meet all your needs, according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus”! (Phil. 4:19.)

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From Word to Book » Johanna

Johanna’s ministry

Fundraising or Team-building?

Johanna’s new role in Wycliffe