We're delighted to welcome April Chapman, CEO of Generous Giving. April shares her inspiring journey from the tech industry to Kingdom ministry, offering practical steps on maintaining strategic focus and nurturing leadership character in her organization.
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In this episode:
- April Chapman's Career Transition:
- Started in the tech industry with a long tenure at Microsoft. (03:43)
- Transitioned to consulting on Internet strategy with nonprofits. (03:52)
- Shift driven by a spiritual experience with her husband, Craig, feeling called to apply their business and tech experience to Kingdom impact. (04:30)
- Inspired by the LIFE acronym (Labor, Influence, Finances, and Expertise) at a ministry conference. (05:26)
- The decision to diversify their assets and tithe on their Microsoft stock, leading to significant charitable giving and a journey of trust and obedience. (06:06)
- Generous Giving's Mission and Impact:
- Focuses on spreading the message of biblical generosity to grow generous givers. (07:40)
- Stories of transformation from Journey of Generosity (JOG) events include organ donations and significant financial contributions to global health facilities. (08:30)
- Business owners setting financial finish lines and committing percentages of their revenue to God's work. (09:35)
- Organizational Leadership and Strategy:
- Importance of clear strategy and vision in leading Generous Giving. (12:24)
- Following principles from Dr. Stephen Graves' book on the five tasks of senior leadership: strategy, culture, pace, resources, and risk. (12:58)
- Emphasizing clarity in leadership and the mantra "Clarity is kindness." (14:04)
- Building a Flourishing Team:
- Hiring practices focus on traits like hunger, humility, and smartness. (15:58)
- Core values include authenticity, growth, and being Spirit-led. (16:16)
- Importance of prayer and spiritual maturity in the team. (16:45)
- Regular team meetups (weekly, biweekly, quarterly, and semiannual) to build a strong, connected culture. (17:20)
- Employee Engagement and Feedback:
- Benefits of using an Employee Engagement Survey for honest, open feedback. (18:54)
- Helps identify growth areas and foster a culture of continuous improvement. (19:49)
- Volunteer Management:
- Relationships are key; volunteers should feel known, valued, and cared for. (23:10)
- Clear expectations, regular communication, and community building are critical. (23:31)
- Innovation in Giving and Fundraising:
- Emphasis on relationships over transactional interactions. (25:40)
- Encourages storytelling of impact rather than traditional fundraising dinners. (26:18)
- Importance of adapting delivery methods to be relevant to younger audiences while maintaining the core message. (27:42)
- Work-Life Balance:
- Importance of practicing Sabbath and regular date nights to prioritize marriage. (29:35)
- Serving together in ministry and practicing hospitality to integrate family life and work. (30:26)
- Being available for children, especially during their teenage and college years. (30:41)
Read the Transcript
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