This page is for staff candidates preparing for New Staff Orientation. Current staff are encouraged to find PD resources designed for them in TalentLMS.
Before Completing the Syllabus: Purchase and read The God Ask by Steve Shadrach (available at www.Amazon.com).
Then use this syllabus to guide you through reviewing sections of The God Ask, viewing each NSO video, and responding to the review questions for each video.
Directions: View each of the videos, review the corresponding reading, and then provide your responses in a text document. Have your completed syllabus ready for discussion during our NSO Zoom sessions.
Before Completing the Syllabus: Purchase and read The God Ask by Steve Shadrach (available at www.Amazon.com).
Then use this syllabus to guide you through reviewing sections of The God Ask, viewing each NSO video, and responding to the review questions for each video.
Directions: View each of the videos, review the corresponding reading, and then provide your responses in a text document. Have your completed syllabus ready for discussion during our NSO Zoom sessions.
(1) The Heart of Partnership Development (PD)
Description
This video is designed as an introduction to the ISI New Staff Orientation Video Series and features a welcome by ISI President, Dr. Seng Tan. As you watch this video you will be invited to consider central concepts in the Partnership Development (PD) process based on Philippians 4. Before you watch this video, pray asking God to open your heart and mind to all He wants to do in and through you on the PD journey ahead.
Reading
Philippians 4; The God Ask, 82-84
Your Response
1. Summarize one thing God impressed upon you as you watched this video.
2. State at least one way you will respond to this video during your PD journey.
This video is designed as an introduction to the ISI New Staff Orientation Video Series and features a welcome by ISI President, Dr. Seng Tan. As you watch this video you will be invited to consider central concepts in the Partnership Development (PD) process based on Philippians 4. Before you watch this video, pray asking God to open your heart and mind to all He wants to do in and through you on the PD journey ahead.
Reading
Philippians 4; The God Ask, 82-84
Your Response
1. Summarize one thing God impressed upon you as you watched this video.
2. State at least one way you will respond to this video during your PD journey.
(2) PD STEP 1: Prayer
Description
Throughout the ISI NSO Video Series you will find references to the importance of prayer to your Partnership Development (PD) journey. This video will help you better understand why prayer is so important to PD. You will also find many practical tips on how to make prayer for your PD focused and effective.
Reading
The God Ask, pp. 22-25; 279-283
Your Response
1. Invest a half day in prayer for your PD prior to NSO week.
2. Write down your impressions from that extended time of prayer.
Throughout the ISI NSO Video Series you will find references to the importance of prayer to your Partnership Development (PD) journey. This video will help you better understand why prayer is so important to PD. You will also find many practical tips on how to make prayer for your PD focused and effective.
Reading
The God Ask, pp. 22-25; 279-283
Your Response
1. Invest a half day in prayer for your PD prior to NSO week.
2. Write down your impressions from that extended time of prayer.
(3) PD Step 2: Gaining a Biblical PerspectivE
Description
Steve Shadrach nails it when he writes, “The thing that will make you or break you [in support development] will be whether or not you have really studied the Scriptures and gained a rock-solid conviction that continuing to personally ask others to invest in you and your ministry is good, is right and is biblical!” (The God Ask, p. 58). This video along with Section II of The God Ask is designed to guide you into your own exploration of what the Bible says about asking others for support.
Reading
The God Ask, pp. 55-89
Your Response
1. Briefly state your understanding of what the Bible says about personal support development, citing Scripture to back up your view.
2. How would you characterize your current pattern of giving to the Lord’s work?
Steve Shadrach nails it when he writes, “The thing that will make you or break you [in support development] will be whether or not you have really studied the Scriptures and gained a rock-solid conviction that continuing to personally ask others to invest in you and your ministry is good, is right and is biblical!” (The God Ask, p. 58). This video along with Section II of The God Ask is designed to guide you into your own exploration of what the Bible says about asking others for support.
Reading
The God Ask, pp. 55-89
Your Response
1. Briefly state your understanding of what the Bible says about personal support development, citing Scripture to back up your view.
2. How would you characterize your current pattern of giving to the Lord’s work?
(4) PD Steps 3 & 4: Record-Keeping & Identifying Prospects
Description
This video covers two steps in the Partnership Development (PD) process: record-keeping and identifying prospects. Both of these are extremely important from the very beginning of your PD journey.
Reading
The God Ask, pp. 304-305; 307; 321-322
Your Response
1. Choose a record-keeping system and begin using it by entering your list of contacts.
2. What motivates you in building relationships with potential donors?
This video covers two steps in the Partnership Development (PD) process: record-keeping and identifying prospects. Both of these are extremely important from the very beginning of your PD journey.
Reading
The God Ask, pp. 304-305; 307; 321-322
Your Response
1. Choose a record-keeping system and begin using it by entering your list of contacts.
2. What motivates you in building relationships with potential donors?
(5) PD Step 5: Making Contact
Description
Now it’s time to actually make contact with people on your A (or Ask) List. The purpose of this step is to alert your potential A List donor to your desire to meet with them to discuss your ministry with ISI and your financial needs for that ministry. In many cases, a form of written communication is best for this step, followed by a phone call in a few days to see if your contact is willing to meet.
Reading
The God Ask, pp. 168; 327-330
Your Response
1. Write out a brief contact letter to one of your A List prospects.
2. What are some things to cover in your follow-up call?
Now it’s time to actually make contact with people on your A (or Ask) List. The purpose of this step is to alert your potential A List donor to your desire to meet with them to discuss your ministry with ISI and your financial needs for that ministry. In many cases, a form of written communication is best for this step, followed by a phone call in a few days to see if your contact is willing to meet.
Reading
The God Ask, pp. 168; 327-330
Your Response
1. Write out a brief contact letter to one of your A List prospects.
2. What are some things to cover in your follow-up call?
(6) PD Step 6: Requesting an Appointment
Description
Now that you have made contact with an A List person and told them you would follow up in a few days, it is time to call that person and request an ask appointment with them. In this video we talk about some of the ingredients that go into a good request for an appointment, then we demonstrate what it might be like for your A List person to say yes or no.
Reading
The God Ask, pp. 185-192
Your Response
1. What might you pray for going into this step in the PD process?
2. Complete this statement to you’re A List contact: I’d like to meet with you to ….
3. How can you keep a ‘no’ from causing on-going discouragement?
Now that you have made contact with an A List person and told them you would follow up in a few days, it is time to call that person and request an ask appointment with them. In this video we talk about some of the ingredients that go into a good request for an appointment, then we demonstrate what it might be like for your A List person to say yes or no.
Reading
The God Ask, pp. 185-192
Your Response
1. What might you pray for going into this step in the PD process?
2. Complete this statement to you’re A List contact: I’d like to meet with you to ….
3. How can you keep a ‘no’ from causing on-going discouragement?
(7) PD Step 7: Preparing Your Ask Presentation
Description
Now that you have made contact with an A List potential donor and they have agreed to meet, you need to carefully prepare your ask presentation. In this video Gordy and Jeff will discuss practical steps that will help you be at your best for the ask meeting with your potential donors.
Reading
The God Ask, pp. 168-174
Your Response
1. What are some things you want to include in your ask presentation?
2. Prepare a 10-minute ask presentation you will share during NSO.
Now that you have made contact with an A List potential donor and they have agreed to meet, you need to carefully prepare your ask presentation. In this video Gordy and Jeff will discuss practical steps that will help you be at your best for the ask meeting with your potential donors.
Reading
The God Ask, pp. 168-174
Your Response
1. What are some things you want to include in your ask presentation?
2. Prepare a 10-minute ask presentation you will share during NSO.
(8) PD Step 8: The God Ask
Description
You have already selected a prospective donor from your A List, made contact with them, and in a subsequent contact asked for a meeting. If the answer was yes, you agreed on a time and place for your ask meeting and you have prepared your presentation. Now it is time to meet face-to-face with you’re A List prospective donor/team member.
Reading
The God Ask, pp. 22-25; 183-218
Your Response
1. Why do we refer to the ask presentation as ‘The God Ask’?
2. What is your role in the ask and what is God’s role?
You have already selected a prospective donor from your A List, made contact with them, and in a subsequent contact asked for a meeting. If the answer was yes, you agreed on a time and place for your ask meeting and you have prepared your presentation. Now it is time to meet face-to-face with you’re A List prospective donor/team member.
Reading
The God Ask, pp. 22-25; 183-218
Your Response
1. Why do we refer to the ask presentation as ‘The God Ask’?
2. What is your role in the ask and what is God’s role?
(9) PD Step 9: The Ask Follow-up
Description
This step is only necessary if the result of your ask was a desire on the part of your potential donor to think and pray about their response. That being the case this video explores how to prepare for and conduct the post-ask follow-up call.
Your Response
1. Briefly state what you would say to a ‘yes’ and to a ‘no’ answer to your ask follow-up.
2. What can you do when your ask follow-up call goes unanswered?
This step is only necessary if the result of your ask was a desire on the part of your potential donor to think and pray about their response. That being the case this video explores how to prepare for and conduct the post-ask follow-up call.
Your Response
1. Briefly state what you would say to a ‘yes’ and to a ‘no’ answer to your ask follow-up.
2. What can you do when your ask follow-up call goes unanswered?
(10) PD Step 10: Donor CarE
Description
Let the fun begin and the joy overflow! This is where you have the opportunity to heap love, care and thanks on your wonderful supporters. In this video we will explore the many aspects of great donor care. The sky is the limit on how creative you can be in lavishing your appreciation and care on your support team. Just be sure you keep good records of all your efforts.
Reading
The God Ask, pp. 229-264; 306
Your Response
1. Can you think of some reasons why shorter updates (i.e. one page) are better?
2. What are some creative ways you can thank the members of your support team?
Let the fun begin and the joy overflow! This is where you have the opportunity to heap love, care and thanks on your wonderful supporters. In this video we will explore the many aspects of great donor care. The sky is the limit on how creative you can be in lavishing your appreciation and care on your support team. Just be sure you keep good records of all your efforts.
Reading
The God Ask, pp. 229-264; 306
Your Response
1. Can you think of some reasons why shorter updates (i.e. one page) are better?
2. What are some creative ways you can thank the members of your support team?
(11) Action Planning
Description
This video will discuss how to use a planning tool you chose to help you stay on track in your PD. You will see that the number of factors involved in PD is so great, you MUST have an Action Plan (AP) or you will soon get lost in those details and discouraged. We want you to plan your PD work and then work your PD plan!
Reading
Review The God Ask, pp. 298-299
Your Response
1. Begin work now on your first two-month Action Plan (i.e. June-July 2022) based on input from this video.
2. Begin to think and pray now about whom to ask to be your accountability partner?
This video will discuss how to use a planning tool you chose to help you stay on track in your PD. You will see that the number of factors involved in PD is so great, you MUST have an Action Plan (AP) or you will soon get lost in those details and discouraged. We want you to plan your PD work and then work your PD plan!
Reading
Review The God Ask, pp. 298-299
Your Response
1. Begin work now on your first two-month Action Plan (i.e. June-July 2022) based on input from this video.
2. Begin to think and pray now about whom to ask to be your accountability partner?
(12) Questions & Fears
Description
Has the thought of raising 100% of your support brought questions and even fears to your mind and heart? In this video we anticipate what those questions and fears might be and offer some time-tested answers.
Reading
Review pp. 17-53; 151-158 of The God Ask Video https://vimeo.com/662037556 (20:39)
Your Response
1. Write down specific things you will do to keep your PD from being completely overwhelming?
2. Provide a concise answer to this question you may hear: why don’t you get a real job?
Has the thought of raising 100% of your support brought questions and even fears to your mind and heart? In this video we anticipate what those questions and fears might be and offer some time-tested answers.
Reading
Review pp. 17-53; 151-158 of The God Ask Video https://vimeo.com/662037556 (20:39)
Your Response
1. Write down specific things you will do to keep your PD from being completely overwhelming?
2. Provide a concise answer to this question you may hear: why don’t you get a real job?
(13) Using DiSC in PD
Description
Every person has recognizable tendencies in their attitudes, behaviors, and ways that they learn best. The D.I.S.C. Test measures these tendencies. In this video we will explore how knowing about those tendencies can aid your PD.
Your Response
1. What are your primary and secondary DiSC characteristics?
2. How might knowing these characteristics influence your PD?
Every person has recognizable tendencies in their attitudes, behaviors, and ways that they learn best. The D.I.S.C. Test measures these tendencies. In this video we will explore how knowing about those tendencies can aid your PD.
Your Response
1. What are your primary and secondary DiSC characteristics?
2. How might knowing these characteristics influence your PD?
(14) Creating Promotional Materials in Canva
Description
In this video Carrie Lyman of our ISI Purdue Team will demonstrate how to produce various kinds of promotional materials using Canva. Note: When you are open to the create page in Canva, click on the left tab called "Uploads" and the purple bar "Upload media." A browser will then open for finding the image you want to upload. Also note that additional Canva tutorials may be found on YouTube.
Your Response
1. Create your own brochure and/or prayer card.
2. What other software might be used to create promotional materials?
In this video Carrie Lyman of our ISI Purdue Team will demonstrate how to produce various kinds of promotional materials using Canva. Note: When you are open to the create page in Canva, click on the left tab called "Uploads" and the purple bar "Upload media." A browser will then open for finding the image you want to upload. Also note that additional Canva tutorials may be found on YouTube.
Your Response
1. Create your own brochure and/or prayer card.
2. What other software might be used to create promotional materials?
(15) Asking Churches for Support
Description
This video is designed to prepare you to approach a local church you are affiliated with and ask them for support.
Reading
The God Ask, pp. 219-227
Your Response
1. What fears or concerns to do have about asking your home church for support?
2. What could you do today to make it more likely your church will want to support you?
3. What are the positives of church-based support? Are there any negatives?
This video is designed to prepare you to approach a local church you are affiliated with and ask them for support.
Reading
The God Ask, pp. 219-227
Your Response
1. What fears or concerns to do have about asking your home church for support?
2. What could you do today to make it more likely your church will want to support you?
3. What are the positives of church-based support? Are there any negatives?