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Friday, November 30, 2018

A Biblical Perspective On The World!

 Perspectives is a fifteen week course designed around four vantage points or "perspectives" — Biblical, Historical, Cultural and Strategic. Each one highlights different aspects of God's global purpose.
The Biblical and Historical sections reveal why our confidence is based on the historic fact of God's relentless work from the dawn of history until this day.

The Cultural and Strategic sections underscore that we are in the midst of a costly, but very "do-able" task, confirming the Biblical and Historical hope.
Why Should I Attend?


God has a "world-sized" role for every Christian in His global purpose.Whether people go to distant countries or stay at home is a secondary issue. The primary issue is what most people are hungry to discover: vision to live a life of purpose. Discovering that vision makes this course valuable, and perhaps crucial, for any Christian.

Still time to register for this course!
First two sessions are free!
Come and check it out!
Get a new perspective on what Christian missions is all about!
  
Even if you are of another faith tradition or persuasion...see what passionate Christians believe!

There are four emphasis to the course: Biblical, Historical, Cultural and Strategic...so whatever your interest is, you will be inspired. I came to the course about 9 years ago...with my main interest being "Strategic".  I came back for another 4 years...alumni are free to attend as often as you wish...in any part of the country. There are always new speakers!
Yes, there is a cost...but if you have a real need, there are some scholarships available...don't hesitate to come! 

You have an epic role to play. You're about to experience God's heart for all peoples and encounter the momentum of the World Christian Movement. Perspectives will open the eyes of your heart with fresh knowledge and understanding of God's unchanging purposes and why they're relevant to your life. 

Whether you are single, married, student, homemaker, professional or retired, and whatever your current engagement in the church or its ministries, you will be drawn into exploring God's heart to restore His Glory among All Nations, ransoming His people from every tribe, language and culture!  (Rev 5:9)

Perspectives allows you to hear from 15 different instructors over the course of 15 weeks. All of them excellent and all of them passionate about this course. Some rank among the most highly-regarded missions leaders and mentors in the world and many will travel great distances to join us. They will challenge and inspire you with their wisdom and experience, opening your eyes to a new vision of God's mercy, greatness and love.

No matter who you are or what you do, Perspectives will help you learn how to live for God's Kingdom.

 

Online Classes

 

Milwaukee, Wisconsin classes, Locations, dates, & speakers


Link to Study Guide for lesson 1

More information at the Perspectives website:

 

 What is Perspectives? 

 

 Study Guide

Study Guide

What you can do as an Alumni! 

 

Milwaukee Perspectives on Facebook 

 

Follow on Facebook 

 

Follow me on TWITTER 

God's Plan for the world!

What is the Heart of God?

Be part of God's plan for Him to be loved by every people.

Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples! (Psalm 96:3)

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" Acts 1:8

  ●   "We all want to do the will of God, and we know that there is nothing nearer to His heart than the evangelization of the world." Oswald J. Smith

  ●      "I am convinced that every person can be given the compassionate heart of God. The heart of God is for the people of the world."  Bobbye Byerly

●     "Is it possible to get close to the Master's heart without getting close to the Master's mission? Larry Moyer

     "Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God." Bob Pierce

 ●     "God is so pleased when He finds His heart beating in another." Steven C. Hawthorne.

 ●    "The secret of Christianity is not asking Jesus into your heart; it is Jesus asking us into His    heart." Jamie Zumwalt


 ●     "We will not be able to seek the mind of the Lord until we receive His heart." Loren Cunningham


   Quotes taken from John Willis Zumwalt's book: Passion For The Heart of God.  Making His Heart Completely Yours.


   
John has taught many  Perspectives on the World Christian Movement  classes over the years. Usually lesson #1
  • Perspectives on the World Christian Movement 

    Lesson 1

     The Living God is a Missionary God

    God's purpose is three-fold: against evil—kingdom victory; for the nations—redemption and blessing; and for God—global glory in worship. God's purpose revealed in promise to Abraham. Exploring God's purpose for the nations: Blessing to the nations described.
  • Instructor

    John Zumwalt

    Outrageous Love, Choctaw OK
    John Zumwalt is the Cross Cultural Coach for the innovative organization, Outrageous Love. After serving as a missionary among the unreached Minnan he returned to America and for over 22 years served as the founder and Director of the Missionary Training Institute, Beautiful Feet Boot Camp. He has trained over 300 Career Missionaries. He has a Doctorate of Divinity from International University for Graduate Studies. John has authored the book, Passion for the Heart of God and travels widely, preaching and holding seminars, raising up activist to go to the ends of the earth. John and his wife, Jamie, also pastor a church in a “red light district” of Oklahoma City. They have five children, Jessica, Josiah, Jael, Jewel and James. 


Wednesday, November 28, 2018

End of year practical giving guide.


 In order to really Bloom where we are planted...besides having a personal relationship with God through His son Jesus Christ, we would or should desire to be good stewards of all He has given us.  So before sending your check to a charity we should have a good system for checking out how trustworthy stewardship wise they also are.
 
Due Diligence Checklist

From The Eternity Portfolio: A practical guide to investing your money for ultimate results.

Permission given to use by author Alan Gotthardt
Met with him in Atlanta last year. 2013
Alan is updating his book and there will be a revised edition in the fall of 2014!

Richard’s comments are in RED.

This book specifically addresses how to be a good steward and using God’s money wisely in a non profit Christian ministry. However, these ideas can be applied to a secular investment also. Some of the points do NOT necessarily apply to a business investment.

These principles apply to making substantial investments in an organization, whether it is in the 100’s, thousand’s or millions of dollars!

Again, the comments in RED are solely Richard Dassow’s and NOT Alan Gotthardts.

When you’re considering whether to fund a specific organization, there are many issues to consider. Here’s how to get started!

Review marketing/collateral information such as the organization’s website, brochures, annual reports, and presentations.

If possible, conducted a site visit or vision trip to examine the operation firsthand.

For large gifts, meet with leadership to better understand who they are and where the organization is headed.
 
 Have they approached you for an investment or did you search them out? What are your goals and motivations in making an investment in this organization?

Either through a face-to-face meeting, telephone call, or collaterral information, try to get a sense for the following:


1.       ORGANIZATIONAL ASSESSMENT

A. PURPOSE

1.       What is the mission of the organization?
          How clear is the mission statement? Has there been mission drift?
What specifically are the major problems/issues it is trying to address?


  How clear is the mission statement? Has there been mission drift? 
  A good resource is Mission Drift
  What is their Vision? It is different than their mission statement!
         
     A good video on Mission Drift 

Have you checked out their website?
Is their Vision, Mission and Strategy clearly stated on their website?
Is it easy to find? 
Do they have a Twitter and Facebook page?
Do they have a BLOG?
Check frequently to see what they are doing!
What specifically are the major problems/issues it is trying to address?

Do they have a TWITTER page?
    If so, follow them...see who they are following.
    What and how often do they tweet?

    Do they have a blog?
    How often do they post an update?
   
 Are their staff on Linkedin? 
 If so, connect with them. 

   Are they using social media effectively?

2.       What makes this organization unique?
Using principles of Good to Great, have they established a clear need? Is the organization Passionate about what they are doing? Their mission. Is the Ex. Director passionate?  What are their resources? How is Need, Passion and Resources combined for exponential growth? Do they have the right people on the “bus”, the wrong people off the “bus” and the right people in the right seats?


3.       What is the scope of the organization’s activities (local, regional, global, country-specific)?

4.       Are there well-developed, high-level goals that have been established to mark progress and give guidance to staff and donors?
          How do they measure performance?

B.     PEOPLE

1.       How well do I know the leadership?
Are they visionary? Capable of leading? Passionate about the mission? Do they value relationships?
 Is the Ex. Director passionate?  What are their resources? How is Need, Passion and Resources combined for exponential growth? Do they have the right people on the “bus”, the wrong people off the “bus” and the right people in the right seats? 
Is there a list of the staff and Board of Directors on their website? 
If you are on LINKEDIN, it is easy to check them out! Even "connect" with them!  If you do connect, does that help you feel a part of their "team"? Is it important? Important for you?


2.       What qualifications do those in leadership have?

3.       Does the board of directors represent a cross section of skills and qualifications needed to successfully guide an organization of this type?  Is there a job description for the board members? 
Is the board limited to policy making or do they do a lot of the work? If so, is this good or bad?

Are the board members investing financially in the ministry in a significant way?  Do we know what percentage of the total funds come from board members? How important do we think that is?

4.       Do the staff members understand the organization’s missions and exhibit a genuine concern for their area of ministry? Do they seem content and motivated?  How do I know this? Have I talked to them? Taken some of them to lunch? Is this important? Why?

C.     PHILOSOPHY

1.       How receptive is the organization to feedback and questions?
Do leaders appear transparent about problems, successes, and failures? Are staff interested in even talking to us? How important is that to us? Obviously with a small donation it may not be important,,, but if we have a significant financial investment to make it is or should be! Can we make a designated or restricted gift…and work with them in the planning?
How about accountability? Can we structure the funds to be released as progress is being made? Are they open to this? How involved to we wish to become?

2.       How are donors treated? Is there a demonstrated accountability for the faithful use of funds? How are volunteers recruited, trained, and utilized?

3.       Does the ministry seek to create leveraged results for the kingdom (i.e., multiplication)?

4.       Do there seem to be any “integrity fault lines” running through the different aspects of the ministry? It’s fund-raising? Programs? Communications?



D.     PROCESS

          1.       Is there a written strategic plan for the ministry?
                    A 5 and 10 year plan?
 
          2.       As it carries out its mission, how is the organization
perceived within the community?

3.       What are some of the new initiatives or activities the organization is undertaking? 5, 10, 15 year plan.

4.       Where does the financial support come from? A small group of major donors or a broad audience? How willing are they in sharing this?

          5.       Are thee audited financial statements?

6.       Does the organization appear to be staffed appropriately to execute the mission?  Good to Great concepts?

E.       PERFORMANCE

1.       How does the organization measure its progress toward accomplishing the mission?
Are there specific targets and objectives for the leadership as well as staff within the organization?

2.       Does the organization communicate regularly and effectively with the donors? What is the frequency?

          3.       Is the organization accomplishing its mission?

11.   `PROJECT ASSESSMENT
               If we are investing in a specific project.

A,     ORGANIZAITONAL FIT

1.       Does this particular project  address one of the core objectives of the ministry? In other words, is it part of a focused, concentrated effort toward accomplishing the organization’s purpose, or does it go outside of core competencies and mission?

2.       Is this project or activity already being conducted successfully by another organization, and if so, are there reasons to duplicate?

          3.       How much of the funding is already committed?




B.     PROJECT REVIEW

1.       Is this a onetime investment for a project that will become a self-sustaining activity?

2.       Other than in the area of funding, where are the faith hurdles? In other words, where must God supernaturally create the results for the project to be successful?

3.       Do the financial projections seem reasonable? Are they too optimistic? Do they leave anything out? Is there a plan for contingencies?

4        Are there specific, measurable objectives to be accomplished?

          5.       How will progress be reported?

III.   FINAL ASSESSMENT

1.       Have I (we) spent sufficient time seeking God’s will through prayer Bible study, and wise counsel? Do I (we) have any wrong motives or conflicts of interest that should prevent this investment?

2.       Assuming all indications are positive, are there any nagging questions or concerns that should be resolved?

3.       Whether or not this appears to be a great opportunity, do I (we) feel specifically led to be involved at this time?
          Have I (we) asked the 4 questions from Ben Carson’s book: TAKE THE RISK; Learning to Identify, Choose, and Live with Acceptable Risk.

Ben Carson's Book


From The Eternity Portfolio: A practical guide to investing your money for ultimate results.


Additional Resources:

Generous Giving   www.GenerousGiving.org


Take the Risk: Learning to Identify, Choose and Live with Acceptable Risk.

Money, Possessions, and Eternity, Randy Alcorn.