[Note: W. J. Hubert came to the General Conference from the Southwestern Union Conference, where he directed the work of fundraising. Under his leadership several hundred thousand dollars was raised in our churches for church building. Previous to connecting with the Southwestern Union, brother Hubert spent a number of years in this specialized work, and he is eminently qualified to give this help and to direct in this field of endeavor.—C. L. Torrey.]
How to raise funds for building and budget programs is a question that has plagued our ministry through the years and has become one of the greatest problems facing the churches today. Recognizing this need, the 1958 Autumn Council session voted that a fundraising counsel and direction service be established in the union conferences throughout the North American Division, to give fund-raising assistance to our churches.
In order to provide counsel and guidance to the union conferences in the training of men as directors, the General Conference has established a fund-raising office. The writer, having served as fund-raising director of the Southwestern Union for several years, has accepted the call to connect with the General Conference in this capacity. At the 1959 Spring Council the General Conference Committee adopted the title of "Seventh-day Adventist Church Development Service" for this counsel and direction service. Some unions have already secured men for this work, and others will be selected in the near future.
It was also recommended at the Autumn Council session that this service be made available to our churches without charge (with the exception, of course, of any local expenses such as printing, stamps, et cetera). The churches look upon this as an outstanding example of good will on the part of the conference—in helping them to help themselves. This, together with the fact that the canvass director is a denominational worker, eliminates the bitter and controversial factions that exist in various degrees in fund-raising programs conducted by professional firms.
The Direction Service: On each "directed" canvass the church is provided for several weeks with an on-the-job director from the Church Development Service of the union office, where one has been appointed. He is a highly trained technician, a denominational worker whose ministry is dedicated not only to raising funds for our churches but also through the dynamics of stewardship to bringing about a spiritual revival among the members.
The director helps organize all activities of the fund-raising campaign. He is responsible for the technical supervision and management of the canvass. He provides the lay leaders and the pastor with additional know-how in organizing and conducting a canvass program.
The Canvass: Every canvass program includes three separate stages: initial contact, operations, and follow-up. They might be described as follows:
a. Preparation: The preparation of the mimeographed materials used by the various committees. The printing of the brochure, pledge cards, etc.
b. Organization: The congregation is organized into committees that function throughout this intensive period. Getting the right people into the right position of leadership on these committees is one of the important factors in the success of the canvass.
c. Education The educational program begins with the very first meeting or conference of the canvass and continues in every meeting until every family has been visited for their subscription. A fellowship dinner is held as an educational meeting for the entire congregation—it is not a fund-raising dinner.
d. Solicitation: The solicitation of the congregation does not begin until the church is well along in the canvass program. It is completed rapidly by a highly organized group of dedicated laymen.
3. Follow-up: An adequate follow-up organization must be established and maintained as an essential factor in the ultimate success of the campaign. The director, therefore, keeps in touch with the local church throughout the collections period.
A spiritual impact upon and within a congregation can be the by-product of a fund-raising campaign. This can happen, however, only if the program is successful financially. The best way to gain both financial and spiritual objectives is through an intensive, every-member canvass. It has been demonstrated over and over again that the right kind of fund-raising drive will meet both needs. The two interact—a spirit of devotion inspires giving and the act of giving increases the spirit of devotion.
This unique service has a great future in the denomination. The potential in church and school building programs, in church expense programs, and in church school budget programs has just been tapped. It will lift a mighty load from the pastor's shoulders, and take a great step in serving the spiritual needs of the congregation.