Passionate Steward - 10th Anniversary Edition

Recovering Christian Stewardship from Secular Fundraising 99
gifts” than it does, since wealthy parishioners would give in
proportion to their income. But major gifts should be the outcome
of a generous heart, not the product of a well researched and
practiced “ask” for money.
Parishes which rely heavily on major gifts often see an
imbalance in their offerings, akin to the frequently cited
phenomenon of 20% of the people giving 80% of the resources.
This is the dynamic we have called “institutional welfare,” whereby
the majority of parishioners learn to rely upon the few to provide
resources for the entire congregation. Aside from the lack of
vocational stewardship development amongst the whole People of
God, a number of other problems ensue:
• parishes cease to take ownership of the responsibility for good
stewardship, and it is left to the clergy and a small circle of
parish leaders to take charge, and to provide the time required
to meet the community’s financial needs
• the majority of parishioners learn to expect someone else to
provide resources
• should the parish rely upon a major gift donor who
subsequently leaves the community through death, departure,
or dissatisfaction, there will be a need to find an equally
willing and wealthy parishioner to fill the void
• a “power dynamic” is initiated, whereby major gift donors
expect the clergy and parish leadership to consult with them,
and take direction proportionate to their giving
• since fewer donors provide the majority of resources and
therefore feel “ownership” of the programs supported,
contributions from other members of the community begin to
fall off
It is evident that secular fundraisers who have worked in the
Church have been “forming” individuals and the Church itself to