Most people in ministry who raise their own support view others strictly as either just givers or pray-ers. Why not take a minute and look at your contact list and think through 3-4 individuals who might want to do more? I'm sure there a few, that,deep down, would love to partner with you, standing shoulder to shoulder with you as you take on this challenge of getting to full support. [Q: Why are there so few lay people who are filling this kind of critical role? A: We have never asked them!]

King Solomon understood the power of two, and even more, the power of three:

Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor.
(Eccl. 4:9)

A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart. (Eccl. 4:12b)

One definition of a good manager is someone who knows how to get things done through others. So why just add when you can multiply? Pray and ask one, two, three (or more) others to team up with you to take on and conquer this challenge. But you must give them a vision for it—along with a job description.

Dear Friend of a Support Raiser,
I know you want to give to your friend who is raising support for their ministry. I know you want to pray too. Secretly, you may even want to be out there in full time ministry actually doing what your friend is doing! But there is another way you can truly partner with them and play an essential and strategic role. You can be a key man (or woman), helping them to quickly get to full support. Here are some practical suggestions:

1. Become their support raising partner
You can do this by coming onto their monthly support team, setting up support appointments for them, going on those appointments and sharing why you are giving, setting up small group meetings, and of course, praying for them and with them.

2. Create a “Steering Committee”
This is a carefully selected, short term group of couples (or singles) who know the Christian worker and who commit to meeting each month until the worker is at full support. They give themselves, network and share contacts, hold desserts, brainstorm ideas, and pray and hold the worker accountable for their support raising efforts.

3. Utilize your “Triangles of Trust”
I have to believe there are several people in your life who love and trust you enough that if you were to ask them to personally meet with your support raising friend (to listen to their ministry vision and financial goals) that they would do it. Why would they meet with someone they don't even know? Just because you asked them.

Thanks for being willing to join with your friend to walk with them up this mountain and to carry some of the load. When the two of you finally get to the top I know it will be a grand celebration to see that Christian worker report to their ministry assignment—FULLY FUNDED!