Contact Ruben at RSwint@TheColumbiaPartnership.org or call him at 404.314.7273.
Ruben has served local congregations since 1981. He has been an associate pastor, a minister of administration, a capital stewardship campaign consultant, a foundation president, a stewardship strategist, a generosity coach and now he is a ministry partner for resource development. Ruben is passionate about empowering Christians to be as generous as they have always wanted to be. He believes strongly that there is an abundance of resources available to congregations for every good work that they are called to do.
Funding Ministry--including capital campaigns, planned giving, and annual giving--is the primary service area for Ruben. He is the Team Leader for Funding Ministry. Check out the Funding Minstry Team page.
Ruben is a native of Columbus, Georgia. He graduated from Columbus State University in 1972 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Political Science. He then went to work in the meatpacking industry for six years (great training for working with churches). In 1978 Ruben entered The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky from which he graduated in 1981 with a Masters of Divinity degree with a concentration in church and denominational administration.
Ruben has served churches throughout the southern, eastern and midwestern parts of the country. His core strength is strategic thinking that leads to action. He has applied his skill, experience and strengths in consulting with congregations and non-profits in annual giving, major project giving (campaigns) and planned giving strategies.
Ruben has co-authored with Janice Johnson Weaving Our Lives Together, a stewardship program from NACBA Press. He authored The Generosity Department, a generosity training module from NACBA Press.
Knowledge Sharing by Ruben Swint--Articles to Download and Recordings for Listening.
Download Swint, Convictions for Growing Generosity, 12.13.11 Edition
TFL Dialogue, Ruben Swint on Convictions
Download Swint, 20 Ways to Leave Your Love, 4.19.11 Edition
TCP Dialogue, Ruben Swint on 20 Ways to Leave Your Love
Download Swint, Your Biggest Contributor, Potentially, April 6, 2011 Edition
TFL Dialogue, Ruben Swint on Your Largest Contributor, Potentially
Download Swint, Growing Generosity While Practicing Stewardship, 3.7.10 Edition
TFL Dialogue, Ruben Swint on Growing Generosity While Practicing Stewardship
Download Swint, Brilliant Ministry In a Struggling Economy 5.31.10 Edition
TFL Dialogue, Ruben Swint on Brilliant Ministry in a Struggling Economy
Download Swint, The Three Plans 6.21.2010 Edition
TFL Dialogue, Ruben Swint on The Three Plans Related to Capital Campaigns
Download Swint, The Hunt for Green October, August 30, 2010 Edition
TFL Dialogue, Ruben Swint on The Hunt for Green October
Funding Ministry Areas Led by Ruben Swint Through The Columbia Partnership
Funding Ministgry at The Columbia Partnership encompasses a variety of consulting and coaching services that lead to a transformation in the financial behavior of congregations and individual Christians. Rather than conforming to fundraising strategies of nonprofit institutions, Funding Ministry services are designed and delivered with the Biblical goal of transforming lives towards a Kingdom view of the world and its inhabitants. Congregations and individuals are encouraged to raise their values, enlarge their intentions and increase their actions toward the example of Christ’s self-giving love and service. Funding Ministry at The Columbia Partnership enables congregations to fund their full Kingdom potential as their members become as generous as they have always wanted to be.
Consulting and Coaching
CAMPAIGNS
Capital Stewardship Campaign: A highly successful capital stewardship campaign with full time consultant guidance. Includes generous time on site, Bible study materials and all training materials with web-based resources.
Campaign Coaching: A consultant-assisted campaign for campaign-experienced congregations or for smaller financial goals. A lower fee with reduced time on site.
Campaign Retainer: A staff-led campaign benefiting from consultant advice and counsel. Strategic site visits with unlimited phone and email support.
Missional Campaign: Uses a campaign structure and strategy to fund ministry and mission projects or a blended project that includes a mission component.
Campaign Assessment: Campaign Feasibility Study, Campaign Readiness Review.
ANNUAL GIVING
A consultant-led experience in significantly growing your church's annual giving.
PLANNED GIVING
Consultant guidance in creating a planned giving program for bequest income.
GENEROSITY COACHING
Generosity Check Up: A thorough examination of the giving and receiving systems of your congregation. Provides a full report with recommendations and timetable.
Generosity Weekend: Presentation of a generosity workshop to train staff and lay leaders plus a combined adult Bible study. Can include preaching in worship.
Generosity Team: Equipping and leading a team of staff and lay leaders for 12 months to grow generous giving in your congregation. An effective alternative to the annual “hunt for green October.”
Generosity Staff: Providing staff level leadership to establish a ministry of generosity in your congregation. Includes coaching for annual giving and major and planned gifts.
Testimonials
“Ruben helps churches get excellent results without manipulation or showmanship. His winsome approach perfectly suited our culture that wanted to be challenged without being ‘sold’.” Dr. David Hughes, First Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, NC
“If your goal is simply to raise money, I suggest that you look elsewhere. If you are seeking spiritual renewal in your church, I suggest that you call Ruben Swint.” Dr. Tony Hopkins, First Baptist Church, Greenwood, SC
“Many in our church said that this was our best campaign of the four that we have had especially in the spirit it was presented.” Dr. Robert F. Browning, Smoke Rise Baptist Church, Stone Mountain, GA
