Purpose/Christmas Challenge

[unworthyservant]

I must say that I've enjoyed the conversation here for the last few days and while I'm new I actually came here for a purpose. For the past couple of weeks I have been using my limited internet skills to get a feel of the Christian community's presence on the internet. While I've only scratched the surface, I can see that there is a vast presence. In my search I came across this place and decided to hang out awhile. I have come to believe that many on here are sincere and seeking truth. I also feel that many are doing their best to serve God and it shows in the conversations here.

So, given that I wish to reveal the purpose behind my search and get your feedback. The whole concept is what I'll call a Christmas challenge. It's based on all the crazy challenges I see all over the internet these days only this challenge is for Christians everywhere to simply cut their spending by 1/3 this Christmas season and then give the difference to the poor and the needy (as Christ commanded anyway). Now here are some numbers I have compiled.

1. Last years Christmas retail sales in the US were in the neighborhood of 1 Trillion dollars.

2. Approximately 75% of Americans identify as Christian.

3. If you assume that Christians are average Christmas spenders then Christians accounted for about 750 Billion of that total.

Now math isn't my strong suit but even I can see that a third of that going to the poor and needy could do a whole lot of good.

The concept is to create a trust where the rules would be simple. Every dime collected must go directly to the needy and not to any organization's administrative or operational costs. (If they can't meet administrative overhead without the money, I have to worry if they could properly handle the administration of the funds anyway)

The plan is to use social media to go viral and then get social media followers to present the idea to their friends and even to their clergy in order to hopefully get some to share and endorse it to their congregation.  I have done my own independent research on the things that go viral on the internet and have on board someone whose profession is what you call "Social Media Manager" She has advised me that she will assist in getting the message to the proper "Christian Influencers". (I think that's the new internet lingo for messengers). At any rate she has told me that the best way to get something started that will go viral is to make targeted videos about the message. She will also assist with targeted content recommendations. I am currently looking for someone with making social media videos as we speak. Will also need a Facebook page where we could direct supporters and provide info and have a platform whereby to reach the Facebook crowd. Point is I would also need folks who could build and manage Facebook. (so, far no luck on video production or Facebook manager, so if anyone has any ideas) I will also have to find someone who is above reproach to be the trustee of the fund. (Don't really want to nor have time to set up our own charitable foundation).  Now I'm not naive enough to believe that it could take in 250 billion dollars but I'm going off the theory, think big and see what God will do. Anyone have an opinion? Anyone want to join in and help get the ball rolling? Anyone think I've lost my ever loving mind?

[Debp]

36 minutes ago, unworthyservant said:

and have on board someone whose profession is what you call "Social Media Manager" She has advised me that she will assist in getting the message to the proper "Christian Influencers".

This "Social Media Manager"....is she charging for her services?   If so, she will probably promise you great results in order to get the job.

If you want a reliable Christian organization already set up to help the poor in many ways, and to evangelize, etc, try http://www.christianaid.org

All money goes to the native ministries which have been thoroughly checked out for sound doctrine and financial responsibility.

[unworthyservant]

21 minutes ago, Debp said:

This "Social Media Manager"....is she charging for her services?   If so, she will probably promise you great results in order to get the job.

If you want a reliable Christian organization already set up to help the poor in many ways, and to evangelize, etc, try http://www.christianaid.org

All money goes to the native ministries which have been thoroughly checked out for sound doctrine and financial responsibility.

First, NO! Matter of fact the whole idea is to use the social media platforms to keep administrative costs low and to recruit highly qualified volunteers to help with content, management and logistics. As for organizations who might benefit from any monies raised, I feel that's it's early in the process to begin the vetting process of recipients but as I noted, I will set up a trust with very specific vetting guidelines and organizations such as the one you reference would certainly be welcome to apply at the proper time. At present, we don't even have all the expertise necessary to get anything off the ground, much less plan any further. As I noted, before going any further, I must find someone who can handle media video production and filming as well as folks to help with actual media logistics should the need arise. (and it would be the first thing to have ready in preparation for success. For now, I'm starting with a few small calls to action. Trying to assemble a complete and highly qualified management team and get a feel for how much support we might expect when we do. Anyway. would you like to join us and then when we raise a lot of money, you can inform your charity that you know where there's funds available?  Do you possess any of the above mentioned talents? If not, would you be willing to use whatever your talents may be blessed with to help the cause assuming that you see that the principles can be trusted to administer such a endeavor?

Edited August 16, 2019 by unworthyservant
Grammatical error

[unworthyservant]

Oh.my Debp. When I said NO! above, I didn't explain. I mean no the consultant is not being paid but volunteering her services.

[Debp]

What I am meaning is why go to all of the trouble in trying to set up your own trust?   When there is a reliable organization 60 plus years old (and others) that you can donate to immediately?

Most people won't give to people on the internet asking for funds.   There are too many scammers on the internet.   People like an organization that is reputable and approved by the ECFA....Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.

I don't mean to rain on your parade but just wanted to let you know people are hesitant to give on the internet to new organizations not backed by the ECFA.   I know you mean well....

[Debp]

P.S.  If you just spread the word to Christians to cut back on their Christmas spending, that's ok.   But the raising of money is a problem that I see.

[unworthyservant]

8 minutes ago, Debp said:

What I am meaning is why go to all of the trouble in trying to set up your own trust?   When there is a reliable organization 60 plus years old (and others) that you can donate to immediately?

Most people won't give to people on the internet asking for funds.   There are too many scammers on the internet.   People like an organization that is reputable and approved by the ECFA....Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.

I don't mean to rain on your parade but just wanted to let you know people are hesitant to give on the internet to new organizations not backed by the ECFA.   I know you mean well....

I understand your concerns. My reasoning for not using a particular charity is that I don't want the effort to be tried to any particular organization, denomination or belief. That way it takes away any allegiance or negative associations people might have with any of the these. I have considered using an already existing "Charitable Foundation" so that the funds would not necessarily go to any one organization but be distributed by the Foundation. Task there is either to find a Foundation whose distribution requirements those that I mentioned or who would be willing to manage the fund according to a separate vetting process. The latter is unlikely and the former would take many hours of research and still possibly prove fruitless. These are again choices we will have to make very shortly but there's not much use in doing all that work until there are enough folks expressing a willingness to support the effort should we get it started. BTW, I'm going now to look into ECFA, something I was until now unaware of, so see you've been of help already, Thanks

[unworthyservant]

18 minutes ago, Debp said:

P.S.  If you just spread the word to Christians to cut back on their Christmas spending, that's ok.   But the raising of money is a problem that I see.

What good will it do if they just cut back and don't give back? I guess it's kind of a leap in faith. By the way, I looked at the EFCA and they identify as Evangelical. These days Evangelical seems to have taken a new meaning from the general description I remember as a kid but none the less as I said before, I'd like the support of such organizations but don't want them to be directly involved in the management of the project. That said, they look like their members may be a gold mine of influence in their communities(as well as worthy recipients of funds) and not only would I love have the support of such groups, I assure you that they are now on my list of people to contact once I find enough grass roots support. So for now I'll still see if there isn't somewhere I can garner enough support to take the next steps, I still have to focus on the First step. Recruiting enough individuals who will offer support for the effort. 

[unworthyservant]

A few more numbers for anyone interested. If 5 people start something and each person recruits 5 more the next week. Then if each new person only tells a total of five people in 10 weeks you have reached, by my calculations, 48,828,125 people.

[Debp]

7 hours ago, unworthyservant said:

A few more numbers for anyone interested. If 5 people start something and each person recruits 5 more the next week. Then if each new person only tells a total of five people in 10 weeks you have reached, by my calculations, 48,828,125 people.

The problem is people do not like to give money to strangers on the internet.   Someone can say they are collecting money for charity but actually be a scammer.   Do you understand what I mean?   Since you don't represent an accredited charity but want to make your own trust and collect money, that is where the problem lies.