Maintaining a Positive Relationship Between Your Nonprofit and Your Church
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Maintaining a Positive Relationship Between Your Nonprofit and Your ChurchHow can the church and the nonprofit maintain a mutually supportive relationship?
It is in your best interest to maintain a positive relationship between the church and the nonprofit whether or not your nonprofit operates distinctly from the church. Once your nonprofit is up and running, your work with the church is not over; it is just beginning! The congregation has the power to deeply bless and empower the nonprofit, or stop it dead in its tracks if key staff and leaders of the church are not supportive of the ministry. The strong support of the congregation can only add to the success of the nonprofit.
Tip #1: Communicate Regularly and Effectively with the Congregation
- Think of church members as the first place to look for resources.
- Use the church's own written communication vehicles (such as a newsletter or bulletin) to tell the story of the nonprofit; use stories of transformed people.
- Make regular appeals for volunteers. Successful volunteer placements bring more volunteers and more money from the congregation.
- Share updates and testimonies from the pulpit.
- Preach a sermon about the work of the nonprofit, or ask a pastor to do it.
- Do your own mailings to church members.
- Include stories about the work of the nonprofit at major church events.
- Sponsor special events just for church members.
- Include information about the nonprofit as part of the new member process or new member class.
- Speak to small groups or Sunday school classes about the nonprofit.
- Hold an annual recognition or thank-you dinner for program volunteers and financial supporters.
Tip #2: Negotiate Communication "Space" for the Nonprofit
- If the church already has an organized communications plan for how ministries publicize themselves, be sure to get the nonprofit on the list.
- Negotiate for a special focus on the nonprofit at certain key times of the year.
- Consider recruiting volunteers jointly with ministries with related purposes.
| Tip #3: Maintain Positive Relationships with Key Church Staff - It is critical for the pastoral staff to be well informed about the nonprofit.
- Regular communication with the pastoral staff will enable the church and nonprofit to coordinate their work, such as the following:
- Calendar for special events
- Communication about the nonprofit to the congregation
- Fundraising and recruitment from the church congregation
- Recruitment of church members for board and committee positions
- Involvement of church staff in nonprofit programs
- If your organization chooses not to have the senior pastor assume a formal role with the nonprofit, be sure that the executive director communicates with the pastor on a regular basis.
- Church staff can either help or hinder the nonprofit; make sure they sense you value their input and be intentional about keeping them informed and involved.
- Get church program staff involved in the formation of the nonprofit-gather their input before the nonprofit launch in staff meetings or in one on one conversation.
- Maintain positive relationships with the administrative staff of the church; treat staff with respect, follow the office procedures and rules.
Tip #4: Maintain Positive Relationships with Lay Leaders - Recognize the importance of formal lay leaders such as church board members and committee chairs by communicating with them on a regular basis.
- Choosing a lay leader who will serve on both the nonprofit and church board will greatly enhance communication.
- Avoid overlooking informal lay leaders--understand what their opinions are so you can formulate responses to their concerns if needed.
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