Theology on Fundraising

by Posted on

Giving maybe easy to understand but not all are sold out to the concept of asking for money. We get used to the thinking that asking for money is synonymous to begging or being a parasite to somebody. We do not like asking for money. This is really a very controversial subject. Anybody who is asking for money can be easily misunderstood for the purpose.

For the ministry, be it for building a church structure, rental for a bigger space, support for a mission work, a charitable project by the church, or salaries for the church workers, the impression is somewhat under heavy scrutiny especially if the benefactor is a church leader, worker or somebody we know.

In SCM, we are so blessed that God gave us good-paying day jobs, members are good tithers and the church workers prefer not to receive any remuneration from the church.  The church never had the need to ask for support from anybody.  This is a good testimony of an open floodgate from heaven. Sometimes, I get to think whether not having the need for support is a good thing or not.

In Philippians 4:10-20, Paul expressed thanks to the gifts of the Philippians to him. The church, which is the body of Christ, supported Paul while he was doing his missionary journey. He simply stated his need and it was the Lord who touched the hearts of the church to give in accordance to the burden that the Lord placed in their hearts.

There are many scenarios and questions when doing a fundraising for a church ministry. Most of them are debatable. Some of them are listed as follows:

  1. Fundraising for a new church building or rental for a new place. Which one of the following is biblical?
    1. Make a loan to quickly transfer to the new place
    2. Fundraising within the church or outside the church
    3. Wait until the church have enough funds to finance the new ministry.
  2. On Fundraising.
    1. What if nobody responded to the call?
    2. What if the funds generated do not meet the need?
    3. Shall we accept funds from a non-believer?
    4. Shall accept funds from a known sinner (e.g. thief, into drug business)?
  3. After fundraising
    1. How to assure people that funds went to the right people/ministry?
    2. How to address criticisms?

This is an ongoing study. Keep visiting this post for the answers to these crucial questions.

Published by admin