Rube Goldberg was a genius who devised incredibly complex solutions for simple tasks. His inventions were a series of chain reactions usually built with everyday parts like pulleys, ropes, gears, boots, bouncing balls, bows and arrows, springs, oscillating fans, and live animals. These contraptions ...

No matter how successful our PCC ministries appear on the surface, it is wise as directors to reflect back on ministry activities and examine our actions as leaders as well as that of our board of directors. Do we reflect a biblical standard of ethics as we oversee our centers? Do we exhibit strong ...

The job of the board of directors is to make decisions on behalf of the organization. Some decisions will be simple or routine; others — such as initiating new programs, cutting programs or staff, changing a name, and so forth — will have a lasting impact. How should a board make those d...

Does it make sense for your organization to hire a full-time grant writer and pursue an aggressive foundation strategy? In 2010, foundation grants accounted for $41 billion, which was 14 percent of the $290.89 billion charitable gift total. There are approximately 100,000 foundations in the United S...

Congratulations! After several unsuccessful attempts, you have finally succeeded in scheduling an appointment with the pastor of the largest church in your community. You envision the possibility of a strong and lasting partnership that will be beneficial to your ministry and to his church, and you ...

IT IS EASIER TO KEEP A DONOR THAN TO RAISE ONE My column last summer reflected on the worrisome economic conditions of those days. Sadly, not much has changed between then and now. I continue to hear from friends about the struggles their ministries are facing. One told me that income in 2009 and 2...