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In your ministry
over the airwaves, do you have a vision? Proverbs 29:18 reads “Where
there is no vision the people perish.” Therefore, a
ministry needs vision to succeed! In this particular verse in
Proverbs, vision is referred to as the revelation of God. The
development of a vision is the key factor that compels people to
listen day-by-day, and to support your broadcast ministry.
People want to be
involved in something big in life. A dynamic radio ministry can be
a key part in satisfying that desire. Most everyone wants to be
part of a family where they can give – and receive – support and
encouragement, which is what draws people to become fans of sports
teams. Develop the idea among your listeners that they are all part
of the family... part of the team. Then they will know their
participation in your ministry is essential. When they see the
compelling vitality your station offers, they will support the
overall vision of the broadcast ministry.
Examine the concept
of sports teams: The fans will say, "We won!" when
their favorite team wins a game, even though it was only a few on
the team that did all the work on the field. The fans have a desire
and a vision for their team to win, and they feel their support of
the team is vital. Have your listening audience join you in this
same kind of enthusiasm for the ministry. Show them the winning
spirit of being one in the body of Christ, in order to communicate
taking the Gospel to a world that needs hope and encouragement.
Your listeners will
perceive and act upon the vision that you present. It is up to you
to share with them the excitement and vitality of your ministry.
Your audience will not understand anything more than what you
present to them. You need to ensure that your listeners take
personal ownership of that vision, so that they will be as excited
about the ministry opportunities Christian radio brings as you are.
Then they will team with you in helping advance the ministry and in
keeping it supported financially.
When I hear a radio
station conducting an on-air fundraising event, most of the time the
communication is to "call now and make your monthly pledge or
one-time commitment to the broadcast ministry." What are you really
asking your listeners to support? Do they know what their money is
funding? Can they see and are they excited about the vision of your
radio station? You need to transmit the enthusiasm of the vision.
Don’t just inform the listeners of the financial needs, but engage
them in the challenge by participation. What you say and the way
you say it is everything. Share with them your vision!
If you have a liner
that says "more music, less talk," does that motivate
contributions? With this statement, you are under-selling what the
station is really all about. Is this the vision that started the
broadcast ministry? I doubt people sat around a table to establish
the radio station and said the goal is to “play mostly music and
speak very few words." No…most likely your radio ministry began
with a desire to reach the lost and a passion to edify the body of
Christ. That's the mission and the vision. Don’t lose sight of
that!
Consider this for a
theme statement to your share-a-thon:
"Matthew 28:19-20
states that we should take the gospel to the whole world. At the
touch of a radio dial, this broadcast ministry you are listening to
is available wherever radio can reach. In schools, homes, cars,
medical care facilities, prisons, businesses – wherever there is a
radio, there is a chance for someone to hear the life-changing
message of Jesus Christ. We're also broadcasting online, using the
internet and other technologies to take this ministry to a wider
audience. The opportunity for you to be involved in this outreach
is available to you with your monthly contribution. In Acts 2:44 it
speaks to the church having all things in common. We are the body
of believers and we have this ministry in common. This is God’s
radio station, and it is your (the listener’s) radio station."
This is really what
you are all about, isn’t it? So tell them that! Get your vision
from the Lord, then share this with your audience. Make them
excited about the possibilities of what Christian radio can do and
how they can be a vital part of it all.
Make this vision the
theme of your next share-a-thon, even months prior to the call-in
days, and it will transform – not only the financial support – but
the overall involvement from your audience. The excitement
generated within the listener-base will carry on from the week-long
fundraiser through the next year because they will share your vision
and passion for the ministry.
The second half of
that verse I started with from Proverbs 29 reads, "Happy are
those who keep His law." We are commanded by God to preach His
Word with the vision. Your ministry not only needs a vision to be
successful – it is required to have one by almighty God!
For more on
fundraising visit the His Air archives (under the
title “Guest Articles”) and find ten other articles on the subject
written by Don Hughes. Call me if you like; I am willing to talk to
you about fundraising. My number is (620) 408-5185 and my e-mail
address,
rdon.hughes@gmail.com.
I have many years of experience in Christian broadcasting and I am
waiting on God for my next assignment.
With
Great Plains Christian Radio Don put KJIL on the air in 1991 in a
town of 1500 people, Meade, KS. The one station expanded to nine
full power stations and forty translators over a 19 year period.
Don developed the fundraising plan to take the organization to
an annual income of over two million dollars in rural Kansas. Don
was also involved with putting WMHK in SC on the air and WGRC in PA.
Don has won numerous awards as an individual for news, sports,
production and air personality. Also, KJIL is a five time winner of
Station of the Year. Contact Don
rdon.hughes@gmail.com
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