Brit said I should blog about something that happened in church this morning, so I am going to take her advice. As some of you are aware, our church has had a long-running issue with not meeting the budget. We are a large church, and have a correspondingly large budget, and I could go on for days about some of the things that make it into the budget that I don't exactly understand, but I won't. I could also point out how unnecessary any of this is, since our church has no business having money problems, since if only a fraction of our members were faithful in giving, then there would be more than enough to accomplish all that is needed and more. But the purpose of this post is for me to vent about the way we are going about correcting the problem. A grass-roots movement of people, who I am sure are sincere in their desire to help the church, has come up with a plan that is..., well, let me describe it and you can determine for yourself what it is. The idea is to ask the church membership to make special contributions to make up the short-fall. Today they asked for everyone to go home and eat a peanut butter sandwich at home and send the money that they would otherwise spend on lunch, (don't forget the tip!), into the special fund to balance the budget. The children of the church were asked to ask their parents for an increase in their allowance so that they could also give, but to make sure that the donation is in the form of a check made payable to the church for this special program. (I will point out that so far I have no problem with any of this.) Finally, it was pointed out that everyone who gives to this special cause, no matter what the amount, would have their name placed on a special listing, (on acid-free paper), that will be posted in a conspicuous place near the church office. (Being a child of the sixties, when I heard the acid-free list mentioned, I immediately started wondering if I was going to have to submit a blood sample to determine my eligibility.) Unspoken was the fact that anyone who does not conspicuously give something to this cause will not have their name on "The List".
So you tell me, what do you, my loyal blog readers, (both of you), think of all this?
I am really interested in your opinions.
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So instead of being fiscally responsible with the budget, or actually getting members to tithe...they want people to give a second time. I don't know about you...but when I don't make enough money to meet my budget, I cut things out of the budget and quit spending money. Getting people to "re-tithe" is horrible.
Any church's shortfall is a result of these things: 1) the members do not understand/own the necessity of tithing as a spiritual discipline, 2) the budget is bloated and irresponsible due to years of doing what everyone asked, 3) members don't tithe because of #2, or 4) the budget has not kept pace with increased energy bills and other unavoidable "budget breakers", such as repair/replacement of equipment.
The public list is a terrible idea. The extra tithe (such as an in a building campaign pledge) is not a terrible idea, but it needs to have a particular time frame to end ("Make your love gift to our church by Dec. 31."). ALWAYS phrase everything in LOVE: We ask this because we LOVE our church; we ask this because we LOVE God and want to serve HIm; we ask this because we LOVE our congregation and want to continue to serve you. Any sense of poor stewardship is a downer to the congregation and will inhibit their further giving (because they think you can't manage what you have already.)
Finally, privately, you and the finance committee need to examine WHY the budget is not working and make adjustments for next year. Turn off lights, cut out extra printing expenses, etc. Churches are notorious for wasting money in small ways. Caveat: Don't skimp on salaries. Staff salaries show how much you value your staff's commitment to your church. After all, they've moved their lives to follow God's call to serve you.
I think they should post a list of tithers. I bet people would be shamed into giving, then! Ooh! Post a list of members, their salaries, and this past year's gifts they have given! Yeah! That's a good idea!
As a sidenote, I am always amazed at how 10% each month turns into 10% annually. I know, it should be simple math, but when Quicken shows Tithe: 10.38% or whatever, I just think that's the coolest thing. Is anyone else amazed at this coincidence?? Am I the only one so easily amused? .... Yeah, okay, I thought so.
I like the idea proposed by the youth of donating very small amounts under psuedonyms. I do believe that mine will be "Harry Potter."
I know that many people will give extra out of a true desire to help the church and not so their name can be on a list. Fortunately for them, the One who counts knows their hearts and their motivations.
So, what's the list for? To encourage givers?
If people aren't willing to follow the command to tithe because their faith doesn't reach the stage of obedience, a special list with their name on it won't help at all.
And anyone who gives in order to get their name on the list (or tries to encourage others, like children, to give in exchange for this recognition), loves man and what man thinks of them more than God. (And teaches the children accordingly.)
Am I being harsh? Nope. I don't think so. I'm just not using pretty words for this.
It's clear in Scripture: Those who love God will obey Him. Not because they are following a set of rules or doing what they "have" to do. Those who love God find that obedience springs from that love. Tithing is an example of that obedience.
I agree with many others: Cut the budget, call the entire church body to obedience, and share the church's remaining (post budget cut) needs (not wants) with everyone. Let everyone give what they can. But, don't post a list.
I assume the underlying motivation for creating the list was to create accountability. Instead, I fear it will create much uglier things.
Hear, Hear to mab!
As a graphic designer and scrapbooker, I am intrigued by the fact that they featured the paper as "acid free." Is that so it won't deteriorate over time?
And speaking of time, what happens when they take the list down? (Even though it will last forever in its acid-freeness, surely they won't leave it up indefinitely.) Would those inspired by the list cease to give then? If that's the case, then the church has failed to teach its members that giving is an act of obedience, not recognition, as others have already asserted.
I go to a church that consistently comes in over budget. (I have never heard of that in a church... seems like most struggle with budget issues.) I'm not sure what their secret is... wait, I'll find out. OK, I just talked to one of our pastors, and he says that it's the combined effort of spending sparingly, budgeting wisely, saving often, and the consistent/obedient tithing of our members. So, no gimmicks. No list. Not even that many sermons on tithing. Just people doing what they should and being good stewards of what the Lord has given them.
Thanks for the comments, I really appreciate them. So far the opinions seem to be fairly consistent and in agreement with my own take on the matter.
I would like to clarify something, just in case some of you are wondering. This is not a case of a church in crisis because there is no money to keep the lights on, make payroll, etc. I know that some churches have that sort of problem as well. The church is really not carrying a significant amount of debt either, which is a good thing. (This is my opinion, based upon what I see day to day in the distressed loan business. Every package of loans that we are looking at lately has at least one to two church loans in it, and the amount of debt that some of these churches have taken on is staggering.)
I think that one of the things that we are not doing well is looking at the uses of the money being spent, rather than the sources. Just like anyones personal budget, it is always easiest to sit back and think, "If I just made more money, then I could afford all the things that I want." Rather than taking the harder choice of "What can I really do without, and still stay in my budget."
Again, in a perfect world, everyone tithes, and we have no problem. But this world is not even half-perfect.
Good word. Interesting discussion.
Oh, and our church has no debt either! It's crazy, I know!
(Steve, I went to your church in my college years. And we seem to know a lot of the same people... MAB, Lydia, Cliff, but for some reason I don't know you.)
Karen, I am crushed that you do not remember me. I think we had lunch together one day at Mayrene Weaver's house a couple of years ago.
Steve, I think your point about looking to see where we can cut is a good one. Sometimes it's time to stop whining about what's not coming in, and decide what's not going to get put in the budget this year.
I do think those not tithing are being disobedient. I wonder if the church suffers from that disobedience (and more than just being below budget). Can you imagine what a difference it would make if people were obedient?
Budgeting is tough, even for two people. Not because it takes numbers and math, but because it takes discipline. I hope the budget committee can practice discipline, as well as the church members. I'd be interested to know how the "acid free" list goes.
Hmmm... vaguely recall, maybe, no... key words, "one day," at Aunt Mayrene's and it had to have been 3+ years ago. Sorry to crush you, guess you're weren't that impressionable. :-) Um, wait, getting some fuzzy images... were your kids there, too?
@Karen - I am sure the kids (or some of them), were there, we can hardly ever shake them. Well, I am crushed that I did not make more of an impression on you. I need to remember to always do something extraordinarily memorable when meeting new people in the future, that way they will remember me. And it was probably that long ago, I am getting older, and time spans seem to get compressed.
Maybe Karen & John should be a part of some "game night" with Ms. Mayrene, the Gohrings, & the Bowles THEN she would remember who you are!!!
BTW........have loved reading the comments about last Sunday; feelings are the same at this house!!
@Dawn, OOOH, we could play catchphrase with Mayrene. That is a memory!
How tragic. I am the Lead Minister of a growing, medium sized church. I feel your pain in this situation. This is where I believe a biblical understanding of tithes and offerings, can and does make all the difference in the world.
Last year we hired another fill-time staff member, along with launching a community food program at a local school. I give God all the glory for placing on the hearts of his people to give in biblical ways. will be in my prayers.
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