Spiritual Transformation and Finance Raising
Spiritual Transformation and Finance Raising
By Jane Berry
One issue that has been on my heart for the past several years is that
of funding our Navigator sisters whom the Lord has called either full-
or part-time to the Navigator ministry. Many are single women, but some
are widows of Nav staff or wives in ministry who would like to raise
their own ministry funds. Over the years, this has been a continual
area of stress for women and as a result, some have had to resign from
staff because of lack of funding. To try to address this issue, the National Women’s Network devoted our semi-annual Women’s Leadership Forum to exploration and interaction on this topic. The forum is a twice-yearly networking opportunity for women who are leading and influencing our National Missions, Ministries, and Departments. We gather for a time of fellowship, encouragement, and development in a way that affirms women in their leadership and ministry roles.
February 22–25, 2006, we gathered once again at Glen Eyrie. This year, we partnered with the Development Department team to provide a program aimed at addressing the fundraising issue as well as the topic of Spiritual Transformation. In addition to our Development staff, some of our Mission and Ministry directors participated in the forum. Together, we hoped to find ways to reduce the challenges women face in support raising. Areas of focus were:
• Inspiring and empowering women staff in areas of felt needs in fundraising
• Affirming those taking bold steps of faith in funding
• Reviewing useful tools to implement their funding plans
• Helping mission and ministry leaders, and development staff reach greater understanding about women’s funding issues
For the discussions on fundraising, we had a balance of women who are beginning, challenged, or even frustrated in their fundraising, as well as those who are mature, experienced, and successful. We all benefited from the experience of others.
Butterflies and Dollar Signs?
I believe there is a strong relationship between the challenges we face
on our fundraising journey and the transformation the Holy Spirit seeks
to accomplish in our lives. We must be convinced of God’s call on our
lives, His commitment to provide, and His intimate care as He leads us
to financial partners. The symbolism of dollar signs representing our fundraising journey, and butterflies representing the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives, was helpful in guiding us in thinking differently about fundraising. They are indeed compatible.
Peggy Reynoso (U.S. Hispanic Ministries) led us in the sessions on
spiritual transformation. (Although Peggy is in a time of grieving over
the loss of her daughter, she wanted to be with us to share the
continuing journey of God’s transformation in her life.) We counted it
a privilege to receive as well as give ministry to her at this time.
Peggy’s presentation on The Process of Spiritual Transformation
encouraged us in walking with God. For instance, in the session on the
Process of Spiritual Transformation, she helped us understand The
Transformed Spirit, The Transformed Mind, The Transformed Heart, and The
Transformed Body. These are all related to our Core Values and are
principles we need for others and ourselves. MelindaJoy Mingo (Cultural Affairs) also faced unique challenges this year and shared a session on Trusting God to Provide for Our Needs.
Together we enjoyed a time of interaction, brain storming, and encouragement in our walks with God. Please pray with me that God would begin to break down the walls in the area of funding our women’s ministries and that more and more we would see funding as the spiritual ministry that it is.
Jane Berry is the director of The Navigators’ National Women’s Network.
