Fundraising. . .

[WOUB1984]

Hey all, just wondering what types of things you all do to raise funds for trips and stuff. The HS group I work with is looking to do some festivals and conventions but its pretty expensive for the kids to do all that, any types for how to raise money?

 

[ccunning001]

If you figure out a way tell the rest of us. I have tried selling calendars (I found a good place to buy them cheap and sell them for more) but the kids would not sell. Our Christian school does a couple of good ones but they are alot of work. They do an auction in the fall (We usually raise about $4000 with only 30 kids working it) and a Bowl-A-Thon (Where the kids get sponcors to sponsor them per frame they bowl. We bowl 20 frames.) That one also nets about $4000. Unless you have a huge group I would stay away from the golf tourney's (tried that and only made about $500).

 

[ElElohe]

Good question. Visit www.TheBodyBuilders.net and see their Boot Camp for a Biblical basis for fundraising, as well as practical methodology. They will recommend the book by Scott Morton Funding Your Ministry. Other resources are Friend Raising and People Raising.

Ideally, people won't have to feel like they are getting something back for their gift. It is a gift after all. Car washes, pancake feeds and magazine sales miss the point. This is God's work (or should be!) and we should all give cheerfully. I would encourage you to just present the project to people you know, people that would be interested, and invite them to invest in your service. Have a good plan, and let your passion come through! (if you don't have passion for what you will be doing, that is another issue unresolved by fundraising)

 

[HiddenManna]

Hey all, just wondering what types of things you all do to raise funds for trips and stuff. The HS group I work with is looking to do some festivals and conventions but its pretty expensive for the kids to do all that, any types for how to raise money?

We recently met up with a great fundraiser that was free for us to sign up. It provides an immediate $ bonus for each sign up, and then a monthly residual income because those customers keep using the fundraiser product each month! It is an absolute blessing. The entire church is excited and nearly all the church congregation is getting on it to be Good Stewards. Even to help out the missionaries we have! This is the website where I found it:
http://Charity.FinancialFreedomSociety.Com/29413

Here are a couple other names of organizations it had listed as recently joined:
• Agape International Ministries
• National Center for Fathering
• Yauapai Food Bank, Inc.
• De Schakel, Community Care
• Christian Counseling Foundation
• The Core Irrevocable Charitable Trust
• Assemblies of God Ghana
• Women Empowerment, Literacy and Development Organization

We were impressed by what it offered as a fundraiser concept...helping Christians become better stewards of the money the Lord has blessed us each individually. To have more to be able to give.

Check them out and see if they are a fit for you too!

 

[kirkguardian]

Ideally, people won't have to feel like they are getting something back for their gift. It is a gift after all. Car washes, pancake feeds and magazine sales miss the point. This is God's work (or should be!) and we should all give cheerfully.

Amen! And I do.

Unfortunately, most believers do not. According to George Barna and his latest statistics, the average church member does not tithe. In fact, the average church member gives less than 3% of their total earnings annually. Little wonder the Lord isn't blessing them financially.

I know from experience that those pastors who "preach the whole counsel of God," including the subject of tithing, have churches that are prospering, and every member of the church is prospering. Those churches which are not preaching obedience to God's Word, including tithing, must rely on unbiblical fund-raisers, like pancake breakfasts and car washes.

 

[Rev. Bill]

Unfortunately, most believers do not. According to George Barna and his latest statistics, the average church member does not tithe. In fact, the average church member gives less than 3% of their total earnings annually. Little wonder the Lord isn't blessing them financially.

You are most probably correct in terms of the % of people who tithe. However, you draw an incorrect conclusion (scripturally) when you tie the lack of financial blessing by some to their lack of tithing. We are complete in Him.

I know from experience that those pastors who "preach the whole counsel of God," including the subject of tithing, have churches that are prospering, and every member of the church is prospering.

This statement does not line up with scripture or experience. You may know of some churches with many tithers who prosper, but to make a blanket statement as you have done removes credibility from your assertion. I myself know of many in tithing churches who do tithe, and prosper financially. I know also of many many who tithe and suffer financially, and many who neither tithe nor know the Lord at all who do prosper financially.

Those churches which are not preaching obedience to God's Word, including tithing, must rely on unbiblical fund-raisers, like pancake breakfasts and car washes.

You imply two things here, that tithing is implicit in obedience and that those who do not preach tithing are the ones who rely on "unbiblical" fund raisers.
Tithing is NOT implicit in obedience, nor is any scripture directed to the NT church on this subject. Giving EVERYTHING that you have, which means 100%, to the Lord is our reasonable service according to the word. Yet it is (fortunately) by grace, not under commandment. Which is why only poor Annaias (don't have time to look up the spelling)and his wife perished, not the entire body of Christ that lives today.

I know of several large (>700 churches who preach tithing exclusively and I know from past service on their ministry teams that some take in over $20,000 per week, against very minimal expenses ($7,000 to $8,000 per month, including salaries, mortage and expense). I also know that several of these organizations will not host a special speaker, or sponsor a missions trip, or a teen retreat of their own members, without a separate FUND raiser or "special" offering. The reason is not that they have'nt prospered. It's that the "pastors" are fully in bondage to mammon- willing to take in but never to sow out.

 

[ElElohe]

I agree with most I can understand in your post here Rev.Bill, but do not understand what you mean that "Tithing is NOT implicit in obedience, nor is any scripture directed to the NT church on this subject."

I think what you are saying by "not implicit in obediance" is that it is explicit or required (expected, to use a less legalistic term).

And while I agree that tithing is not instructed in the NT (pretty plain to see that it's not there), giving is certainly instructed and exemplified again and again. I don't think we're disagreeing here but these things in your post were unclear to me.

100% is asked of us, to the point we deny our parents and children if they stand in the way of our relationship with God. But in giving (financially) 100% is not expected.

I would point this discussion, however, to certain examples in historic Christianity where a majority of a man's percentage was given. http://www.generousgiving.org/page.asp?sec=39&page=127 has a few video biographies with great examples of this.

You imply two things here, that tithing is implicit in obedience and that those who do not preach tithing are the ones who rely on "unbiblical" fund raisers.
Tithing is NOT implicit in obedience, nor is any scripture directed to the NT church on this subject. Giving EVERYTHING that you have, which means 100%, to the Lord is our reasonable service according to the word. Yet it is (fortunately) by grace, not under commandment. Which is why only poor Annaias (don't have time to look up the spelling)and his wife perished, not the entire body of Christ that lives today.

I know of several large (>700 churches who preach tithing exclusively and I know from past service on their ministry teams that some take in over $20,000 per week, against very minimal expenses ($7,000 to $8,000 per month, including salaries, mortage and expense). I also know that several of these organizations will not host a special speaker, or sponsor a missions trip, or a teen retreat of their own members, without a separate FUND raiser or "special" offering. The reason is not that they have'nt prospered. It's that the "pastors" are fully in bondage to mammon- willing to take in but never to sow out.

 

[Rev. Bill]

I think what you are saying by "not implicit in obediance" is that it is explicit or required (expected, to use a less legalistic term).

ElElohe

I'm sorry if I was unclear. It was late at night. And it was not my intention to take a fundraising thread and turn it into a tithing thread. But when I saw some of the outrageous statements that were posted regarding tithing, I felt compelled to respond. So here is a more explicit way of stating my position, and then I'll say no more on the topic outside of a tithing thread or private message.

What I am saying is that there is absolutely no general (eg doctrinal) requirement upon the church to observe the practice which is commonly referred to as tithing (e.g., giving a min 10% of your income to the local church). Commonly referred to as tithing because what is preached today as tithing bears little resemblance to tithing as taught in the OT (which is the only place any doctrinal instruction on this subject exists). Hence it is incorrect to make a doctrine that says a person who tithes is obedient to the word concerning finances, but a person who does not tithe is disobedient.

I totally agree with your statement that the NT calls upon us to give generously. We are indeed disobedient if we ignore the Lord's clear instruction to the churches, in favor of the traditions of men. I have no objection to someone giving 2% or 100% to the local church, provided they are led by the Spirit to do so. The new testament clearly teaches that ALL we have belongs to the Lord. It makes no exeption for finances. Yet the bible also teaches giving as a grace, as we are led by the Spirit. Our "stewardship" is not one of finances, but of our very lives. We must in all things hold fast to the head, who is Jesus.

Anyway, I think I have de-railed this forum from the topic of fundraising long enough. Be blessed! My e-mail is office@lwfm.org if you want to chat further on this topic.

 

[Hidden Manna]

In Deut. 26: 12 it says that the tithe was to be given every third year on any increase the people of Israel had.

Deuteronomy 26
12 When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is the year of tithing, and hast given it unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled;

The sons of Israel were to give the tithe to the Levite, to the stranger, to the orphan and the widow. Many new covenant pastors ask for a tithe "from an old covenant law" of your gross income without consideration for the write offs to make an increase like food, clothing, etc. Some leaders even ask for a double tithe and not once every third year but they expect it every pay check. I wander to how much goes to the stranger, orphan, and widow. Most of the tithe nowadays goes to buy buildings, electronic supplies, etc. so that the gospel can be preached. What ever happened to the simply having the boldness to communicate with others the good news of the gospel without have money to do so? The purpose of the five-fold ministry is to equip the saints for the ministry so that the gospel can be preached.

Jesus told a Pharisee that he should tithe, because he was living under the old covenant law at the time. I do not see anywhere that tithing was taught or required by the early church nor did Jesus tell His disciples to tithe.

Giving out of love and with a cheerful heart as unto Jesus is what God desires. What ever we do to the least in the Kingdom of God we have done it unto Jesus. Giving can be done with a cheerful heart when we know that we gave directly to Jesus when we give to another brother or sister in the Lord. If Jesus was to appear out of the sky big enough for the whole world to see, we would gladly give Him all that we have and then some. So it should be a cheerful thing to give out of a cheerful heart and not making sure we have given a tenth of our income.

I remember when I tithed, I felt so filled with pride that I was better then the people that did not. When in the ministry we would keep track of those that tithed and those that did not and if a person did not they were not considered for a place in the ministry over someone else who did tithed.

I believe we have freedom in our giving, for if we belong to the Lord He is Lord of all our possessions also. He may have one save for a reason and another give to glorify Him. If tithing is still required than we should also have one out of every twelve members in the church in full time ministry as the tribe of Levi did.

Circumcision predates the Laws from Moses, likewise so does tithing yet circumcision is no longer required. As far as Melchizedek receiving from Abraham goes, Jesus is of that priesthood and we are in Christ. So who is to tithe to us seeing that we are of the order of Melchizedek ? Does Melchizedek now give to himself ?

I find it almost impossible to find a seeker who wants to go back to church after the offering plate is passed around. One church even had the people line up and bring their tithe and offerings up front for everyone to watch. You could tell by the look on people’s faces and how they felt that it was not sitting right with them.

I personally think it is a much better idea to leave a locked box at the back and people can drop it in anytime they want to. Also it should be a system by identification number that way no one would know who gave or how much. That way giving could be done in private as Jesus said to do. And as far as claiming it on your income tax, that is just another way to let someone know how much you gave and it restricts people from giving to needs unless they can get something back from the government for it. Meanwhile someone with a need or purpose for the work of the Lord goes without while those who pass the plate always get.

I believe Jesus sums up the tithing requirement quite well when He said in Luke 14:33 whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple. If we forsake all how can we give a tenth back if we are to have forsaken all? I think the tithing law is fulfilled when we gave our hearts to the Lord. All the money in the world cannot buy any ones salvation because it is a free gift from God and all believers are commanded by the Lord to preach the gospel. It does not take money to open some ones mouth to preach all it takes is a little faith and boldness to do it. We usually want to pay someone else to preach because we lack the power that the Holy Spirit is willing to give us to do the job. Fear either holds us back or we wait for the right timing when we know in our heart that God wants us to speak up about things concerning His Kingdom. Let wisdom be your guide.

Luke 14
Leaving All to Follow Christ
25. Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them,
26.”If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.
27.And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.
28.For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—
29.lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him,
30.saying, “This man began to build and was not able to finish.’
31.Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?
32.Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace.
33.So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.


Tasteless Salt Is Worthless
34. “Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned?
35.It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

The Order of Melchizedek

I found it very interesting that Melchizedek brings bread and wine “Communion or Lord’s Supper” to Abram, according to the order of Melchizedek. I guess that would make the Communion service still in affect for the new covenant seeing that Jesus’ ministry was after Melchizedek’s order.

Notice in Gen.14:21 Melchizedek refuses Abram’s tithe and only asks for the persons. What ever that means? Perhaps Jesus is only interested in people coming to Him.

Seems to me the tenth of Abram’s possessions was just cheerful giving towards Melchizedek. The tithe was never required of Abram from Melchizedek.

In Heb.7:9-12 the tithe was a part of the Levitical priesthood, and verse 12 says, For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law.
Although Melchizedek refused Abram’s tithe Abram refuse to take his tithe back therefore the tithe was never a part of the order of Melchizedek.

As part of the Levitical priesthood the tithe was given to the support the priesthood, stranger, widows and orphans.

I believe we are free enough in the Lord to tithe if we want to, but I would also say that we are free to just give an offering with a cheerful heart without keeping track of our finances. Just like the observance of keeping one day special over another day.

This is what we can see in the scriptures during the time that Jesus was establishing the new covenant. Jesus as Melchizedek did, gave bread and wine. They both did not require a tithe although a tithe was given to Melchizedek through Abram.


Abram and Melchizedek
18. Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High.
19.And he blessed him and said:
“Blessed be Abram of God Most High,
Possessor of heaven and earth;
20.And blessed be God Most High,
Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.”

And he gave him a tithe of all.
21.Now the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, and take the goods for yourself.”
22.But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth,
23.that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, “I have made Abram rich’—
24.except only what the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men who went with me: Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.”
Hebrews 7
9.Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak,
10.for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.

Need for a New Priesthood
11. Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron?
12.For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law.