Church Question

[forHISglory]

Whether or not you go to a church, you might be able to give some opinion and input to this question.

It takes money to run a church, plain and simple. There are salaries, utilities, maintainence, supplies. Some churches do a lot of mission work and that takes money also. A church probably should not be all about money, but it certainly plays a good-sized role. So how should a church get its money? I've seen different answers.

1. Members give tithes and offerings only. There is no other fund raising. The idea is that the church members should be responsible and be faithful and obedient in their giving. Usually a church like this believes that God will take care of the faithful.

2. Dues of some type are paid by church members. Years ago some churches had a pew tax. Some churches send out bills of the yearly dues. Any member not paying the dues is no longer considered to be a member of the church. They usually believe that membership constitutes an obligation to pay the dues.

3. Members organize fund raisers. This might be meals, car washes, auctions, etc. The idea is that the members work and give time to carry out the fund raiser, but most of the money raised will come from people outside the church as they purchase the meal, etc.

4. Members do activities in the community for donations. It is somewhat similar to #3, but no price is set for the meal, etc. Instead people would just donate. Again, most of the money raised will come from people outside the church.

So......... should a church's money come from people inside the church or from non members? Can you think of other general ways that churches raise money? What really gripes you about how churches raise money? What do you consider to be the "right" way? If you don't belong to a church, do you ever contribute to a church?

[missmanny]

As a non church member I don't have any gripes as far as the way my or other churches raise money.

My thoughts are this though, you are right it takes money to have a church and members are responsible for financing said church if they wish for it to stay (who else will pay for it if not for the church members who worship there?)

I also believe though that any thing that can be done to negate the cost of running the curch should be done (by the members obviously) or maybe just those members who need to supplement the ammount of the tithe that they are unable to.

I completely understand the need and desire to tithe and the underlying principle, but it breaks my heart to see people who are struggling so badly and then still feel like they owe money that is really needed elsewhere for them.

It really is a very grey area I'm sure, but this is a very interesting post and question.

[Jo]

We do offerings and tithes, with a big "project" every year(the Sunday before Thanksgiving...special service called "Harvest Home" with a donated catered dinner afterwards)...a project(could be missions or something the church needs for the building, adding new vans, our new 'satellite campus', etc) with a special collection just for that project.
The youth group often does fund-raisers for their mission trips...a babysitting day at the church around C-mas for the moms, a car wash, spaghetti dinners, etc.
We could have "dues" for membership(my boss' temple does that), but it really doesn't mesh with the heart attitude of "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

[AmyBoz]

You know, it's interesting. I think that having members give their money, whether through weekly offerings or tithes or what have you, is the traditional and acceptable way of a church making money.

However, the reality is that if you rely on the members to finance a church, there are going to be periods of feast and famine, along with the economy of the nation.

I'm seeing something very powerful in my church right now. We got a new minister about two years ago and he's taken the church in a new direction and many, many people are unhappy with his leadership. So, they are speaking with their dollars. For the first time EVER, pledges for the 2008-2009 year were down and the church hasn't met its budget. They are down big money and actually sent out a second campaign to get people to pledge more. But, it's not going to happen, because people aren't happy.

Relying on membership to provide your funds gives the membership a GREAT deal of power. In our situation, I'm hoping that the church listens.

[Hannahs mom]

In the type of church I go to, there are no salaries to pay. The pastor has a daytime job which helps to suport his family. But, we do take up an offering for the pastor each Sunday and that money goes to him. People give what they can and wish to give. The church building itself was partly financed with a church cookbook and choir CD that were sold. The rest of the money for utilities and the buidling itself comes from offerings taken up each Sunday. As far as I know, they've never had trouble with bills for the church and we have about a 150 member congregation.
I think that fundraising for the church is ok. Even smaller churches (my DH's - 50 people tops) fundraise. There are some larger churches in the city that even have yard sales.

[Dancing Lotus]

Without writing a novel I would like to say that I think a lot depends on the size of the church and how "fancy" the building is.

IF I church is small and simple , not buildings the size of a mall with coffee shops and book stores. Then I believe the members should be able to suport it with tiths.

But if a church is well " over the top" that in my opinion is another matter. And will require a lot of outside fundraising.

[julieb]

Our church operates on giving from it's congregation. We have a stewardship committee that does this and sets up the yearly budget. Last year we could not give what we had planned due to the fact I was laid off my job three times. Nothing was ever said to us. I tried to help in other ways that didnot cost us money. Hopefully this year I can make up for last year. It is my obligation as a member to help pay for the costs.

[PrairieRose]

I'm a non church going believer and my personal opinion is that the church should be funded with voluntary member contributions. I personally don't believe in the 10% or whatever obligatory tithe or written pledge. I understand the fiscal side of running a business but if the church is 'harmony' the money will come. If there is a special need it should be made known and people will most likely meet it.

[thrifty gal]

Our church does #1, because it is the only way the Bible speaks of.

[annymoll]

We tithe, off the top of our income, 10 % ,always. We give to God first.No one at our church has a required tithe. It is a personal and private matter.Sometimes the youth will hold bake sales, car washes, etc. to make money for camp or other things.

[IntlMom]

I am familiar and comfortable with tithes and offerings only. I have always been raised that way, and it is the biblical way. Having said that, there have been occasions where a fundraiser has taken place, or even a "commitment sunday" for the congreation to "pledge" a certain amount for a new sanctuary, or another big project over and above their tithes.

[forHISglory]

Interesting replies and viewpoints. Here's another factor to consider (and one poster referred to it): Do you think there is a difference in the methods and attitudes of larger churches vs. smaller churches in how they raise money? It's hard sometimes to classify churches as fundamental or liberal, but do you see any differences in attitude and methods of raising money?

[stinkbug]

We are no longer attending a church (for several reasons) but we do *tithe* to a local homeless shelter. I think they are helping and serving more people than our tithe that went to the church.

[Rosebush3]

I agree with 1,3 and 4. 2 Just blows me away! I cannot imagine being turned away from a church because I don't have enough money - how can that be at all right? I live in a very small community and there are often church suppers where people pay per plate. Lots of baked bean dinners in the area. This money goes to those in need, maybe someone whose home had been lost to fire or a family who are having a hard time due to illness. I would imagine the proceeds also fund the food pantry at the church. The pastors, ministers and so on live simple lives, no fancy cars or homes. Seeing that in the bigger churches makes me ill and don't get me started on televangelists.

[sdrjeolsen]

I believe tithing and giving offerings is biblical, both dh & I were raised that way from the time we were born. If all memeber of a church tithed, there would be more than enough money for every need, regardless of the size of the church. But to me, it comes down to a personal matter between a person's understanding of scripture and God. I'd have a hard time paying a "pew tax" or being forced to pay to be a "member".

We tithe & give offerings not because we have to, but because we want to, I know we are excessivly blessed for doing it, I can't out give God, and scripture says that when we do, "the devourer is rebuked" from our finanaces and household.

Having said that, I think there is a lot of financial abuse in some ministries. But, they will stand before God and give account for how it was spent, I will stand ang give account for my obedience to give as I understand it in scripture.

Since (last I read) only 6% of church-goers tithe, I think there have to be other fundraising efforts.