“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” – Colossians 3:23–24 NIV
When I (Gaylyn) was a child, I went to a missionary-kid boarding school in Guatemala. Because we didn’t have expensive toys and games, we created our own. At recess, we talked to each other with our tin-can phones. We had two cans with a long string between them. One person would talk into a can and the other person had to listen very carefully to understand what was said.
People today still love to talk and be heard. Our methods are more civilized, but the principles are the same. Partners want to be heard and we need to take the time to really listen and try to understand them.
Here are some general thoughts on communicating with ministry partners, both those who give and those who are truly committed to pray.
For many, communicating with their partners can feel overwhelming. We encourage you to communicate personally in the spirit of Colossians 3:23. This doesn’t make it less work, but it can take the drudgery out of it!
Whether we are communicating by written or non-written communication, here are some things people want to hear about:
- Your care and love for them
- Your personal lives, including your joys, challenges, attitudes, and responses to hard times
- God’s work in your life and your family
- Your gratitude
- Your ministry—this is important, but it is not the only thing or even the most significant.
Excerpted from Never Do Fundraising Again: A Paradigm Shift from Donors to Lifelong Partners.