From June 3 to 11, 2010, more than 300 delegates will gather in Halifax, N.S. for the Anglican Church of Canada’s national meeting, General Synod, held once every three years. This web forum is a place to discuss the major topics that will arise at General Synod—from governance to sexuality. You are invited to join the conversation.
"From the perspective of the gospel, fundraising is not a response to a crisis. Fundraising is, first and foremost, a form of ministry. It is a way of announcing our vision and inviting other people into our mission.”
—Henri Nouwen, The Spirituality of Fundraising
Since its establishment in 2008 the Department of Philanthropy has been working to redefine the meaning and methods of giving in the Anglican Church of Canada. Specifically, we have worked to instill a theology of philanthropy and develop innovative approaches to the church’s philanthropic work.
The old way: theology of scarcity
For too many years the church has relied on a theology of scarcity to drive its fundraising efforts. We have done this at all levels: parish, diocesan and national. Sadly, it has resulted in a crisis mentality for many in the church, and has contributed to a disheartening culture of money that has sometimes undermined the church’s call to mission and discipleship. Whether it is the parish treasurer’s September admonishment of the congregation for poor attendance and insufficient summer offerings; or a parish council that resents the diocesan sharing formula; or the diocesan council’s questioning the “measureables” and “deliverables” of the youth ministry coordinator; the church has for decades been spinning around on the scarcity wheel at a dizzying pace.
The new way: a theology of philanthropy
While we admit that putting a stop to this is not an easy task, and certainly not something we can do alone, the Department of Philanthropy is working diligently with dioceses, parishes and our partners within the national church to help the church unearth a theology of philanthropy—a theology that is mission-driven and that inspires Canadian Anglicans to give gladly as a faithful expression of their Christian vocation.
We want people to see the beauty and promise that comes with this cultural shift, and to grow in their understanding that even in the midst of financial challenges we can find hope by choosing to embrace our difficulties as opportunities. We can choose to abandon the tired, worn-out messages that oblige people to give out of fear and guilt and replace them with joyful, hope-filled invitations to be part of God’s mission.
One practical way we can strengthen our invitations to Canadian Anglicans is by improving the way we tell our story. The Department of Philanthropy’s new gift guide, Acts of Faith: A Guide to Supporting the Ministries of the Anglican Church of Canada is one such example. It is a joyful and hopeful invitation to Canadian Anglicans to support, in a variety of ways, the full spectrum of ministries in the ACC. This guide also represents an unprecedented collaboration amongst all of the partners and charitable entities within the national church, bringing them together in one vehicle for the first time.
In addition to the gift guide, Philanthropy has made strides in professionalizing the way it works with dioceses. The department works to encourage diocesan leaders across the country as they sow seeds of a theology of philanthropy in their own regions. Whether it is assisting in the establishment of an annual fund or helping to shape a case for support for a major campaign, the department is redefining the relationship between the national church and our dioceses. In this we are committed to a level of coordination and cooperation that is entirely new to the church—one that entails a sharing of resources, a commitment to best practices, and a willingness to move beyond silos and work towards common goals.
These are just glimpses of what will be brought to General Synod in June. We hope that through these and other initiatives, General Synod members will see the department’s work as having a direct and positive bearing on the health and well-being of the whole church.
What do you think? What would a theology of philanthropy look like in your church?
