Episcopal Church Foundation Vestry Papers - for leading congregations

Every year at diocesan convention, we hear the same browbeating about raising money for seminaries. One of the retired priests has a real passion for supporting the seminaries, but his frustration at the lack of wide participation translates into a 10-minute nag. Frankly, most people tune out. 

This year, he didn’t even have a chance to take the podium. And the convention raised more in 24 hours than it had in the entire previous year.

Here, perhaps, is the difference: We had fun doing it.

At lunch on the first day of convention, the retired priest ribbed a couple of his colleagues for wearing cassocks. After some (mostly) good-natured back-and-forth, one of the cassock-clad priests challenged, “I’d pay good money to see you wear one.” And the gauntlet was laid.

Another cassock-wearing priest made the announcement in stand-up comedy fashion. If members of convention donated $1,500 by the close of business that day, then the retired priest would wear a cassock for the next day of convention. If they hit $2,000, then he’d add a biretta. 

Money passed like hot potatoes, $10 and $20 bills, checks for $100, even one commitment for $250. Throughout the afternoon, people sought updates and encouraged their tablemates to join in the collection. They laughed and teased and got to know each other a little better. 

The next morning, the retired priest was in a cassock, with the fluffy ball of the biretta bobbing as he walked down the hall. In 24 hours, this small convention had raised $2,000 for one of the Episcopal seminaries. And they had fun doing it. 

Clearly this approach doesn’t work for every fundraiser. And I doubt a capital campaign would reach its goal through a simple cassock challenge. 

But there is a lesson for us. Talking about money makes us uncomfortable. The conversations are all too often serious with dashes of guilt-trip and begging. 

Sometimes we need to remember to put the fun in fundraiser. We might have better success in reaching our goals – and even enjoy the journey.