Fundraising Expert Offers Guidance on Biblically Sound Stewardship of Endowments
Contact: Ty Mays, 770-256-8710, tmays@inchristcommunications.com
WINCHESTER, Va., Oct. 19, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- Faith-based nonprofits must operate with "Kingdom values" as stewards, not owners, of the endowments that help sustain their organizations, even as they manage such funds with an eye toward the future, according to a new monograph offered by ECFA (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability).
In keeping with ECFA's mission to help nonprofits sustain the highest levels of integrity and accountability, author and stewardship expert R. Scott Rodin outlines a biblically sound approach to maintaining income-providing endowment funds in "Toward a Theology of Endowment Keeping."
"A proper theology of endowments will not let us treat these funds in a spiritually detached way," Rodin wrote, "but will call us back to Scripture to understand all that is in play when we deal with money."
"Scott Rodin reminds us that in all things -- especially in the management of funds -- God must come first, and that means a firm trust in Scripture and God's provision," said Dan Busby, EFCA president. "From the vantage point of nearly three decades of experience in the nonprofit field, Scott offers groundbreaking insights into the motivations of ministry supporters and helps organizations understand how to manage what God provides through them."
Rodin's paper, which can be downloaded free of charge at ecfa.org/Rodin, urges nonprofits to seek and respond to God's daily guidance as they "live in the tension ... between preparing for times of famine and playing the owner of our assets." This includes keeping the endowment in perspective, "holding it loosely with regard to any feelings of absolute ownership," through constant prayer and accountability built into the securing, managing and spending of endowed funds.
Rodin, managing principal of OneAccord, a Washington state-based partnership firm serving nonprofit organizations and churches, is a former president of the Christian Stewardship Association. He is the author of several books, including "Stewards in the Kingdom" and "The Seven Deadly Sins of Christian Fundraising."
"Toward a Theology of Endowment Keeping" is among hundreds of resources available to ECFA members and the public on topics of interest to nonprofits and churches, ranging from charitable gifts and expense reimbursements to board governance. To receive the quarterly newsletter, "Focus on Accountability," as well as alerts when new monographs and other resources become available, go to www.ecfa.org/subscribe and register.
ECFA, founded in 1979, provides accreditation to leading Christian nonprofit organizations that faithfully demonstrate compliance with the ECFA standards pertaining to financial accountability, fundraising and board governance. For more information about ECFA, including accreditation and a listing of ECFA-accredited members, visit www.ecfa.org or call 1-800-323-9473.
