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Appendix
Summary of Testimony
by Hugh O. Maclellan, Jr.
The Maclellan Foundation
December 1, 1992
Our greatest joy comes when our giving becomes aligned with our life goals, our gifts and skill, our passion (our interests), and when we can discern what God is doing and get in on it.
When giving is not aligned in this way, we tend to feel dissatisfied, tentative, and that we are wasting our time.
To align one's giving in such a way requires gathering facts through research,
listening and getting some background on strategic organizations and projects.
It is important that individuals pick up their own vision for giving and determine what they want to accomplish with
their talents, passions and skills. Some people go through stages of giving, such as giving emotionally, without the facts or giving reactively, weighing one request versus another.
To become an informed giver, it's important to get the facts. This can be done by:
o hands-on explorations; going out and kicking the tires
o calling an expert in the area
o doing one's own study of a specific area to see who is doing the best job
o consulting with a wise advisor
On returning from a trip to the Third World, I sat down and wrote out my life goals. Up until this time, I had been focusing on power, position and prestige. Now I focused on maximizing my
time, talents, and money. But I knew none of these things would be worth anything unless I first pursued personal holiness and was a spiritual leader to my wife, children and grandchildren.
My own
giving is divided between church, small sustaining gifts, and breakthrough projects, where there is a chance to make a bigger impact. The higher your giving moves up the organizational ladder, the better
the chance of leveraging your money.
In giving it is important to ask three questions:
1. Where is the Holy Spirit moving?
Find out what God is doing and get in on it. The harvest doesn't last forever.
2. What needs to be done?
The answer to this question
depends on the continent or country. It is important to train leadership at the highest possible level, including pastors and young intellectuals.
3. Who should I support?
Pick winners,
not losers. In assessing leadership, look for godly individuals who are humble, teachable, innovative and have leadership ability. Ask, does this ministry have a clear purpose and strategy? Is it
cost effective? Are the leaders willing to be held accountable? Is this ministry capable of being self-perpetuating? How long must we fund it?
Principles for Giving of Hugh O. Maclellan, Jr.
o Be strategic. Go for the greatest impact for Christ's kingdom.
o Be leveraged. Aim for the greatest multiplication of your money.
o Be an initiator, a giver of seed money, an agent of change.
o Be selective.
o Don't throw money at problems.
o Empower nationals.
o Build leadership.
o Build for the long term.
o Meet real needs.
o Work from within cultures.
o Build the church.
o Fund track records.
o Back godly men and women with vision.
o Stay involved personally and financially.
o Hold organizations accountable to their goals.
o Fund measureable goals.
o Use consultants if necessary
o Ask opinions of experts.
o Ask the question, "Can they get the money elsewhere?"
o Eventually focus. Lack of clear focus leaves the donor vulnerable to pressure, leading to impulsive action.
The Maclellan Foundation, Inc.
Provident Building, Suite 501
Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402
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