Called to serve.

Being called to serve is a privilege and a commitment. It is not to be entered into lightly. We should count the cost. We should start the journey with eyes wide open. I recently spoke to a group of organizational leaders, specifically ministry leaders, and offered three key reminders as they embarked on their respective journeys to serve their communities. I offer the same to you (and me) today:

1. The path to making an impact through a nonprofit or social enterprise requires vision, faith and tenacity. Vision = You see the possibility of what could be. Faith = You believe in the vision enough to move on it before others can see it; after all...faith requires action. Tenacity = Sticktoitiveness. Remain. Be steadfast. Hang in there. Nonprofits close their doors as quickly as they open because people wane on the commitment. Be tenacious.

2. Trust the process. Process is the hard part, and quite frankly, it's not the fun part. Process is the foundational piece of building the organization. There are few feel-goods in the process but the serving part relies on building a strong foundation. To my ministry friends, we have to recognize that God is a God of order and process. Build the business in an orderly fashion. Get your house in order. Learn what you need to know and apply it. Trust the process will lead you to where you need to be.

3. Resources are developed; they do not fall from the sky (ala manna.) I meet so many nonprofits waiting for that one donor, that one grant, that one answer to their resource needs. There's no magic bullet. Resources are developed. Lay out the plan and work the plan. Resources will be directly correlated with relationships you build and nurture. Relationships with funders, businesses and donors. Develop those resources, and you'll have what you need to succeed.

We all need these reminders periodically. Be encouraged and go get 'em!

-Mindy Muller, CFRE, President/CEO of CDP