Fund raising

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In a message dated 97-11-25 12:12:44 EST, you write:

<< From:	sent1@wi.net (Dr Lennie Marx)
  <<In a way the wrong question is being asked. Maybe it should be why do so
 many congregations over spend? forcing them to get money they wouldn't
 need if they did over spend.>>

Me:
And as I stated in a recent post, I wholeheartedly agree. If we can't afford
it, we probably don't really need it.

You:
 <<Most  of these buildings are used spearingly. Like Sunday, Wednesday, some
on
 Thursday then it sits enty. What a waist. >>

Me:
As a small church, we are currently holding services/activities four days per
week. But, every well established PAW church I have ever attended has
services almost every day of the week (different services on different
evenings to meet different needs). 
But, your comment on the buildings sitting empty is well taken. In his
"Church Administration Handbook", Bruce Powers suggests that we should also
consider community needs when establishing the church building. "This may
include provisions for day care for working parents, after-school care for
older children, senior citizens programs,...and other types of activities..."
(Chapter 8, 'Designing and Managing Facilities', p. 173).
Not only will this allow the church to reach out to the community, it may
also provide employment for church members with children, and provide
necessary income to help support the church itself. Of course, great care
should be exercised to avoid jeopardizing the church's tax-exempt status
under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

You:
<<I have held meeting in homes
 for the past 35 years and have no intention of building any building for
 the purpose of worship.

Me:
We began our church as a Bible Study which moved between a couple of
households, and it later grew into Sunday School classes we taught in our
home. Eventually, however, problems arose with such limited space and
facilities. Our small group is already too large to meet in any of our homes.
We also needed a place to baptize (we had installed a tank in our laundry
room at home for this purpose). A lot of the homes in our area have smaller
bathtubs which will not allow total immersion.

You:
<< or to change a worship service into a money
 colecters paradise. >>

Me:
Anyone who thinks that by *starting* a church they will create a source of
income would be well advised that they, themselves, had better be prepared to
be the largest contributor in the congregation for quite some time.
(especially if they intend to preach the truth)

You:
<<or to use the saints to cover gross money
 mismanagement. Shalom! >>

Me:
In general, I believe that if a person is a poor money manager in their
personal life, they will also tend to mismanage church funds. Regardless of
whether the church is large or small, poor or well-off financially, the
tithes and offerings of the saints are never to be used carelessly, or
without much prayer. (A little training in money management and church
administration wouldn't hurt, either).


Pastor (my 2 cents, anyway) Joe