Ministries That Get Funded Do This (Part IV)

In this fourth step the apostle Peter took to successfully grow his ministry, we see what triggered all the cash to flow.

Peter's Principle #4: Grow in the spirit of one for all, all for God.

Peter and John were not lone rangers in ministry. According to Acts 4:23-31, they had a support base of “their own people.” Peter not only consulted with these ministry partners, but together they faithfully prayed for strength. As a result, the Holy Spirit empowered them so that they “spoke the word of God boldly.”

Seeing that Peter had healed the crippled beggar and hearing the preached Word of God provided the people both the physical evidence and spiritual prompting they needed to open their hearts and give. As Acts 4:32-35 reports, “all the believers were one in heart and mind." They "shared everything they had" and put all their money into the apostles’ ministry where “it was distributed to anyone as he had need.”

Today’s well-financed ministries have visible programs and vocal leaders boldly proclaiming God’s Word. Behind the scenes are faithful partners and prayers. The net effect is a comprehensive top-down, bottom-up approach. Divine blessings flow down from heaven as miracles and ministry are uplifted on earth.

People become believers, believers become supporters.

Are you and your ministry partners on one accord, praying together, publicly sharing God’s Word, and letting the light shine on your good deeds, to God’s glory?

Can you guess the fifth and last of Peter’s principles for ministry fundraising?

Ministries That Get Funded Do This (Part III)

Of the five steps the apostle Peter took to create the most financially successful ministry ever led by man, the third is perhaps the most controversial. But, Acts 3-4 of the Bible makes clear it is the pinnacle of Peter’s ministry.

Peter’s Principle No. 3: Give God the glory, publicly.

The Bible says, “While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade.”

Solomon’s Colonnade was a large public meeting forum. With living proof standing by his side, Peter credited the miracle he performed to the name of Jesus Christ. So important was the public uplifting of God and Christ that most of Acts 3 and multiple parts of Acts 4 are devoted to it.

Peter used the miracle to attract the public to a forum where he could glorify God and inspire a new body of believers – believers who would soon pour into his ministry everything they had.

Miracles make believers. Believers make supporters.

Our Christian ministries must cease to be quiet and invisible. God's work deserves public glory. His Word calls for bringing to light the evidence of miracles. And His blessing of overabundant support follows ministries that comply.

Are you publicizing to God’s glory the miracles of your ministry? Do you know free publicity is possible, even for small ministries? Can you guess Peter’s Principle #4?

Ministries That Get Funded Do This (Part II)

To create the most financially successful ministry ever led by man, the apostle Peter followed five development steps revealed in Acts 3-4 of the Bible. While the first cast Peter’s faithful vision for success, the second turned his faith into action.

Peter’s Principle No. 2: Perform miracles at a bargain.

Upon offering the crippled beggar the healing power of the name of Jesus Christ, the Bible says Peter took the man’s hand and “helped him up.” The combination of spiritual healing and physical support transformed the beggar who had been crippled since birth from dependency to self-sufficiency.

Peter had performed a miracle at a bargain. At no charge, his ministry produced a man who, after 40 years of living off others, could now work and contribute to self and society. This act created a value people could truly appreciate and would soon overwhelmingly support.

Ministries today must likewise provide both spiritual healing and physical support, to transform lives from dependency to self-sufficiency. To do so at a bargain, partnerships are required. While your ministry excels at spiritual healing, partners can help you satisfy the many physical needs of your “crippled” community. Partnerships also can strengthen your program’s funding appeal, as they indicate the broader community support for your work donors and grant makers value.

The website, www.fundingmyministry.com, hosts complete training on Peter's Principles for sufficiency funding, including tips on how to build and leverage partnerships for holistic service delivery and greater funding support.

Can you guess Peter’s Principle #3?

Ministries That Get Funded Do This (Part I)

Five Bible-based steps make up “Peter’s Principles” for sufficiency funding. Revealed in Acts 3-4, these principles inspired the most financially successful ministry ever led by man!

Peter’s Principle No. 1: See a sufficient ministry.

Although flat broke ("Silver and gold I do not have.."), Peter saw his ministry as sufficient. By keeping focus on the strength of its only asset ("the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth"), he was able to start growing his ministry even in the face of stern opposition from rulers and elders.

Ministries that get funded today likewise have leaders who focus on program strengths, not budget weaknesses. The “sufficiency” focus empowers them, too, to grow in the face of great challenges. Meanwhile, ministries whose leaders focus on insufficiency remain... insufficient.

The website, www.fundingmyministry.com, hosts complete training on Peter's Principles for sufficiency funding, including tips to help ministry leaders identify and build on their program's unique strengths.

Can you guess Peter’s Principle #2?

Do Freethinkers Really Think?

People in need turn first to the church. In greater numbers and with less money, church ministries serve the frontlines of human suffering. Ministries not only help fix problems, they help fix people so they need never have the same problems, again. What other charity do Freedom from Religion Foundation “freethinkers” think could better provide such selfless service?

Since 1998, I’ve helped Christian ministries across America prove their programs perform miracles at a bargain. Time and time again, help recipients I’ve interviewed have said that, above all else, they credit spiritual strengthening for the ability to turn their lives around. Do freethinkers really think the money the Christian majority pays in taxes should not support the social-services solution neighbors in need say works best for them?

Having now lost their court battle over government funding for faith-based programs, freethinkers might be wise to put energy into visiting a local, grassroots Christian ministry. Then they'll see first-hand why most of America concurs with the sentiment of our government-issue currency: “In God We Trust.”

I’d like also to suggest that my brothers and sisters in ministry consider visiting www.fundingmyministry.com, to learn how to prove the value of your faith-based programs, so that together we can help freethinkers and other non-believers emerge from the darkness of ignorance to see The Light.

Ministry and Money: Bridging the Great Divide

As an American and Bible-believing Christian, I just don’t get it. Our country is supposed to be “one nation under God.” Our currency says “In God We Trust.” And, our Christian ministries, on a daily basis and at a tremendous cost savings to government, transform human lives and return to society stronger, more productive people -- people spiritually empowered to never have the same disabling problems again. Yet, there are Americans who, in the name of “separation of church of state,” denounce funding for faith-based programs.

Not long ago, I attended a forum hosted by Religion and Social Policy. An attorney from the ACLU stated that, even though social gains like rehabilitation and recovery can’t be achieved without the integration of faith components, these components cannot be funded with taxpayer dollars. This means government is unwilling to invest in the one solution that fully restores lives and families, and reduces our greater costs for health, crime, incarceration, and other related social ills. Meanwhile, however, our government is willing to spend $640 of our hard-earned money on a toilet seat.

Given 85% of Americans profess to be Christian, it seems we would staunchly advocate the works of God for the good of country. Every Sunday, in church, we lift our voices in praise to Him, but everyday in our wayward society we’re as quiet as… church mice. Might it be that we’ve become doubting Thomases, not believing in ministry because we do not see the fruit of its labor?

In Acts 3-4, the Bible reveals that, once Peter publicly presented to the glory of God the beggar whose sight he had restored after more than 40 years of blindness, the people gave into Peter’s ministry until “there were no needy persons among them.” Through this example, the Word makes clear that all the support needed comes when ministries publicize to God’s glory the life-transforming miracles they perform.

How much support could be generated if Christian ministries in our community, city, and/or country had every person they healed publicly stand for God? And, what if, presented along with this great showing, were cost calculations proving the billions of dollars in savings and gains ministry produced for society? Could any taxpayer reasonably hold fast to government not funding faith-based programs?

With crime, violence, addiction, disease, and senseless deaths reaching ever higher proportions in America, it’s time Christian ministries bring to public light the unbeatable difference faith makes. And, now it’s easier, too, as there are ways to legitimately prove this value and gain free publicity online and in community.

God’s way is the only way to bridge the great divide between ministry and money.


“Let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” - Matthew 5:16