"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10
The Journey of Life: To Be God's people..."Embodying the love of Jesus Christ in the city and the world"!
"I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve."-Albert Schweitzer
"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10
If we truly are Jesus's hands and feet in the world...how can we be good stewards and invest our lives for His glory? So we can truly make a difference in the world!
● When searching for Nonprofits to invest in...either as a volunteer or as an investor, what should I be looking for and why?
● Start with your church! Look at your churches' website. What is their Mission statement and Vision for your city and the world?
● It should jump out at you! And then a clear statement as to how you can serve with them to help fulfill the Lord's vision both for your city and the world! Simple!
● Maybe even a few short "Serving descriptions" with a 3 minute video of a volunteer telling what they do?
● What is your PASSION?
● This is one of the most important items to consider. Need some help in clarifying your passion?
● Now you need to know your Strengths! Strengthsfinder 2.0.
● The $19.99 version is great to use. It gives you your top 5 "Strengths" of the 35 "Strengths."
You get a beautiful 16 page printout of your "Strengths" and how to use them.
● If you still aren't convinced to do the "Strengthsfinder 2.0" Assessment...contact me and I will send you my 16 page printout. Just a sample of what you would receive.
● Set up a visit with your church Volunteer Coordinator, or your favorite non profit.
Be sure to bring along your Strengths" printout to show them and ask how you can use your "Passion" and "Strengths" in advancing their Mission and Vision! Simple!
● Do they have a plan to integrate your Passion, Gifts and Strengths into their ministry and outreach? Don't get discouraged. This may be something new to them. Set up another meeting.
Are they interested in seeing how your "Strengths" can be a vital part of them fulfilling God's vision and mission with you partnering with them or are they just looking to fill an empty position? Has anyone in their organization taken the assessment? Maybe you spoke with the wrong person? May be time to move on...
● Don't give up on your church! Send them a link to this post!
Again: Pray!
What one church is doing helping people assess their S.H.A.P.E
Your Spiritual gifts, Heart or Passion, Abilities, Personality and Experiences.You can take an assessment and they will get back to you with possible places to use your S.H.A.P.E. It's a good assessment, but they don't look at your "Strengths".
Would love to hear your experience! Connect with me on Linkedin or Twitter.
Meeting for coffee to further discuss your opportunities!
More on "Strengths' from another blog of mine!
This Blog is searchable...by Keyword. Try Strengths, Ministry, Calling, Volunteering, Mission,Vision, Faith, S.H.A.P.E, Passion, Boomer, Church, Half Time, Decision Making, Plans, Career, Gifts ...to see previous posts on this BLOG, going back up to 8 years.
● With the thousands of non profits out there...how can I evaluate them?
● With our instant access to information on the internet, we are probably already searching and can easily get confused. What are we really looking for and why?
● Even if we don't know it...we are looking for an organization that aligns with our passion...our desires. We all want to make a difference in the world, don't we?
● The best way is to start as a volunteer with an organization if possible.
● So start by looking at their website!
● What you want to find immediately when looking at their website:
1. Mission Statement
2. Vision Statement or their strategy for reaching their mission.
A great place to start to volunteer is in your own neighborhood...and you set the schedule!
● This is what I am telling charities that they need on their website!
The Basic info you need on your site!
● But what are donors really looking for?
● You already had some idea of who you wanted to donate to!
● It's all about Passion and Relationships! What am I passionate about? A Clue
● What is Passion? "..passion is morally neutral. It is simply a strong feeling or deep longing for something." ..."Passion is the God-given ability to feel so deeply about something that it causes us to move toward the object of desire. This passion stems from an urge given by God-a burden, an emotional response to a need or opportunity He wants us to move toward. It's not a feeling that we experience and then lose easily. It's persistent and powerful. We can't ignore it." Discover Your Destiny by Bill & Kathy Peel.
"The thing is to understand myself, to see what God wishes me to do...to find the idea for which I can live and die"-Soren Kierkegaard
"The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.” —William James
"...Embodying the love of Jesus Christ in the city and the world." A good vision or mission statement!
● So, what is your passion?
● We must have clarity about the Vision and Mission of an organization. If I am looking for a charity that I can volunteer with, I look for people I respect who are practical-minded. I want to be sure it's the sort of project that I can bring something of value to, and in which I'm being involved in a meaningful way. So I always ask myself: Is it a mission I believe in? Do I believe in the people who are in it? and does it use my talents and gifts in a way that engage me?"
● So one of the best ways to evaluate a charity is to volunteer with them...if they are in your area or have a local chapter...like The American Red Cross or The Salvation Army...just two examples! They are looking for volunteers! They have FREE training, both online and classroom . ● No matter what your passion, gifts, abilities, past experience, personality etc. are, each of these organizations has a place for you! You just have to have patience and talk to people at the organization...and start getting connected. The same for any organization. These are just two International organizations that have local chapters around the country within easy driving distance. Obviously, there are probably other similar organizations that have local chapters.
● When contacting an organization...consider calling and talking to Communications Director or Volunteer Director. But do your research on their website first!
● This is what you want to immediately see and clearly understand!
1. Vision Statement
2. Mission Statement
3. Their Strategy for reaching their Mission
4. It's also great if they have some testimonies from reciepients of their ministry!
● There's a lot of noise going on in the world. We need to listen to God speaking to us and that it is God that is speaking.
● When I stand before Jesus one day, I want to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant". Isn't that what you want to hear?
So what are we asking ourselves as we view their website and consider if we should invest in their cause?
So what is God calling me to do?
We all know there is no I in TEAM.
What is God doing in the world through this organization?
● Can I be a part of their TEAM by donating to Our cause? As a volunteer and or investor. Yes, it's our cause!
● If we are already volunteering with an organization...do we feel a part of the TEAM?
How?
How do they communicate with you?
Newsletter?
Phone call for funds?
Phone call to see how you are doing and if you would like prayer?
If you are on social media, do you promote your favorite organization? Tweets and Retweets.
Status Updates on Linkedin. Does organization acknowledge your efforts?
Have I prayed about how I might be a good steward and use God's funds to further His cause through this organization?
● Do I need more help in evaluating this organization?
● How To Make Wise Choices When Investing Your Funds In A Charity!
