Get Inspired
Several months ago I lost my job working for one of the largest Catholic churches in Cleveland. It was an unfortunate circumstance. The parish is one of the largest but it was also one of the most remedial as far as technology and advanced communications. I worked there for 2 years and in that time I did a lot to bring them into the 21st century but at the end of the day, I was an expense and cost too much money. The unfortunate thing was I really didn't need the money. I would have worked for 30% less but they never asked. I think that was very short-sighted on their part.
Anyway, after I left I had the opportunity to interview at other Catholic parishes for similar jobs, and other Catholic non-profit organizations who were searching for qualified development directors. In almost all of the jobs that I interviewed for I was by far one of the best candidates, but in the end something just didn't seem to "fit." In one case, I was told that the most important part of the job was to be able to run a multi-million dollar capital campaign. Although I had never run one myself exclusively, I was sure I would be able to solicit outside resources to help them reach their goals. I had several interviews with several different people from that parish and in the end I just could not see me working there. First, our Bishop is instituting his own capital campaign for our diocese next year and he is not going to be approving any parish campaigns over the next few years. That being said, this parish was still adamant about hiring someone to do just that.
A few weeks later I looked to see who they finally hired; who they thought had the the qualifications they required to run this campaign that I just didn't have. As it turned out, they hired a young woman who had just graduated college two years ago with absolutely no experience! I was shocked! I started to think, "why would the do that?" In the end, the only answer I could "honestly" come up with was, they must not be paying her very much. Capital campaigns are huge, and in this economy, almost impossible! But I wish them luck.
In the end, I realized how silly this all was because about 6 years ago I started my own business called Catholic Marketing Services. I did fairly well at the job but my family situation required that I work a job with health benefits, so I put it on the back burner and proceeded to go to work for a church as their development director. After my interviewing experiences in this tough job market, I decided it was time to resurrect my business. Why you may ask, since I still won't have any health benefits? The answer is simple, I can't help noticing what a great need there is for good, qualified, experienced marketing/development people in the Catholic church. It shouldn't be a job that is only accessible to the rich and large parishes, it should be available to everyone!
Therefore, Catholic Marketing Services has now been reintroduced. We offer affordable marketing solutions for any Catholic parish or institution; from parish communication assessments to event planning, CMS can provide everyone with what they need, when they need it. There is no long-term commitment on behalf of the parish, no employee to hire full-time, no benefits to pay for said employee, and no need to go without the help that you so desperately deserve. You only pay for what you need, when you need it. It is essentially, a development director at your finger tips.
Now every parish can benefit from the expertise of a great development director, and this all came to be because of divine inspiration. God wants to see His church succeed. He is providing for everyone and treating everyone the same. God inspired me to live out the call He put on my heart 6 years ago, and I intend to do just that. My family and I feel at peace with our decision. I can not be afraid to work for God just because we need health benefits. I have to trust that God will provide for me and my family just as He always has done.
I am happy, content, and excited all at the same time. I am here to severe God by serving YOU! Thank you God for my inspiration.
Anyway, after I left I had the opportunity to interview at other Catholic parishes for similar jobs, and other Catholic non-profit organizations who were searching for qualified development directors. In almost all of the jobs that I interviewed for I was by far one of the best candidates, but in the end something just didn't seem to "fit." In one case, I was told that the most important part of the job was to be able to run a multi-million dollar capital campaign. Although I had never run one myself exclusively, I was sure I would be able to solicit outside resources to help them reach their goals. I had several interviews with several different people from that parish and in the end I just could not see me working there. First, our Bishop is instituting his own capital campaign for our diocese next year and he is not going to be approving any parish campaigns over the next few years. That being said, this parish was still adamant about hiring someone to do just that.
A few weeks later I looked to see who they finally hired; who they thought had the the qualifications they required to run this campaign that I just didn't have. As it turned out, they hired a young woman who had just graduated college two years ago with absolutely no experience! I was shocked! I started to think, "why would the do that?" In the end, the only answer I could "honestly" come up with was, they must not be paying her very much. Capital campaigns are huge, and in this economy, almost impossible! But I wish them luck.
In the end, I realized how silly this all was because about 6 years ago I started my own business called Catholic Marketing Services. I did fairly well at the job but my family situation required that I work a job with health benefits, so I put it on the back burner and proceeded to go to work for a church as their development director. After my interviewing experiences in this tough job market, I decided it was time to resurrect my business. Why you may ask, since I still won't have any health benefits? The answer is simple, I can't help noticing what a great need there is for good, qualified, experienced marketing/development people in the Catholic church. It shouldn't be a job that is only accessible to the rich and large parishes, it should be available to everyone!
Therefore, Catholic Marketing Services has now been reintroduced. We offer affordable marketing solutions for any Catholic parish or institution; from parish communication assessments to event planning, CMS can provide everyone with what they need, when they need it. There is no long-term commitment on behalf of the parish, no employee to hire full-time, no benefits to pay for said employee, and no need to go without the help that you so desperately deserve. You only pay for what you need, when you need it. It is essentially, a development director at your finger tips.
Now every parish can benefit from the expertise of a great development director, and this all came to be because of divine inspiration. God wants to see His church succeed. He is providing for everyone and treating everyone the same. God inspired me to live out the call He put on my heart 6 years ago, and I intend to do just that. My family and I feel at peace with our decision. I can not be afraid to work for God just because we need health benefits. I have to trust that God will provide for me and my family just as He always has done.
I am happy, content, and excited all at the same time. I am here to severe God by serving YOU! Thank you God for my inspiration.
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