Even as I write this article, I admit the great irony that exists in its title. How can one be passionate about fundraising? Shouldn’t our passion in youth ministry be directed elsewhere? It would seem difficult and ironic to be passionate about fundraising. Most youth workers see fundraising as a necessary evil in youth ministry, a part of their job descriptions they would rather get rid of. Some youth workers are able to delegate fundraising, while many others struggle with it. Fundraising is certainly not something that is easy to get passionate about, especially in economically challenging times and in a culture that is very busy.
Youth ministry in the church in the United States is in rough shape for a variety of reasons, most of which fall on youth workers (which is a whole different article). Perhaps the greatest problem with fundraising is our attitude toward fundraising. As leaders, we never will create passion about something unless we value it ourselves. We should be able to muster some amount of passion about fundraising and find those around us who have a greater passion for fundraising who can build on our limited passion for this area of youth ministry. After all, fundraising allows for youth to participate in experiences they may not otherwise be able to experience. Imagine the number of youth who would not have the opportunity to experience the life change that can happen on retreats and mission trips if not for fundraising.
Fundraising can be a gift to youth, not only in what it provides for them, but also in what it can teach them. Fundraisers can teach a variety of life skills, build responsibility and ownership and can serve as a tool in fighting the sense of entitlement that is plaguing our culture. While fundraising can be an irritating task, God is more than capable of using it to redeem and transform. If youth workers cannot be passionate about the potential for redemption and transformation in all areas of life and ministry, then perhaps it is time for us to examine our hearts.
While fundraising can create a burden for parents, it also can be a gift to them, as well. Besides what it can provide for their children, it can ease the burden, stress and pressure parents often feel to provide meaningful experiences for their children. School, sports, extra-curricular activities and church activities create additional expenses that can be challenging for many families. In a culture that worships busyness, activity and involvement, the cost of activities can be a huge source of stress on many parents. While youth workers should be cautious in adding to that stress with too many activities (fundraisers included) and ensuring that fundraisers are not too complicated, we also should not abandon fundraisers because they can carry great value. Parents welcome the partnership with youth workers in building responsibility in their children while easing the financial burden on their family.
Fundraising can be a gift to the church and the community as it allows others to engage in the lives and activities of our youth and youth ministry. Fundraising by nature is intergenerational; though the intergenerational connection made through fundraising is limited, we can build on this opportunity to create greater intergenerational connections in our churches. For those youth workers blessed to be in churches with great financial resources, support and stability, caution needs to be exercised so we do not adopt an entitlement mindset to the funding of our youth ministries. Fundraising helps to balance the necessary sacrifice and humility all youth workers should embrace in their churches.
When we begin to understand the potential practical, theological and redemptive value of fundraising, our attitudes will change. As our attitudes change, so does our level of passion. Passion is contagious, and we as youth workers can build passion in our youth, parents, church and community around the area of fundraising. It all starts with an honest examination of our own priorities.
