In PCC’s twelve year history we have never given approval for fund raisers to be conducted by any of our ministry departments, small groups, staff members, or individuals; especially on site at the PCC campus. What people do off site on their own time is their business, but what they do here or under the auspices of any Pace Community Church ministry is our business.
From time to time we WILL receive special offerings for a specific cause, a new initative, a pressing need, or some heart-captivating campaign. Usually these are causes that affect and benefit the church as a whole. Once we even conducted a three-year giving campaign (called Time to Build) that resulted in us being able to construct our church building. This is much different than allowing every group 'within' the church free reign to do their own independent fundraisers. Big difference, in fact. Here’s why we do not allow fundraisers:
1. First of all we have a budget that provides all the necessary resources for the ministries of PCC that need funding. This is a unified budget that is supported by the tithes and offerings of faithful believers. Besides, by not having to spend time raising money, the people in these ministry departments can actually spend their time doing ministry.
2. If fundraising is permitted, our church patio will turn into a bazaar. There will be car washes, cookies sales, rummage sales, cake walks, penny marches, and chicken dinners all over the place! Competition for dollars will become intense, and our members will resent the constant appeals for money and sales gimmicks. People don’t want a church that is trying to sell them something every time they turn around. If they wanted to buy something they would go to Wal-Mart. But the church is not Wal-Mart; it’s our spiritual family. It’s the place where we worship.
3. If everyone is permitted to do fundraisers it siphons resources away from the main part of the church causing financial instability.
4. Not permitting fund raisers also protects our church from becoming like a temple of moneychangers.
12And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, 13And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. (Matthew 21:12-13)
This policy has not always set well with everyone. Yet, in our twelve year history God has always provided the necessary resources. And in those seasons when things were lean, we simply scaled back. The end result of this practice is that we are a healthy church, with all departments fully engaged in ministry, and have never had to beg for money.
Aren't you glad?
1. First of all we have a budget that provides all the necessary resources for the ministries of PCC that need funding. This is a unified budget that is supported by the tithes and offerings of faithful believers. Besides, by not having to spend time raising money, the people in these ministry departments can actually spend their time doing ministry.
2. If fundraising is permitted, our church patio will turn into a bazaar. There will be car washes, cookies sales, rummage sales, cake walks, penny marches, and chicken dinners all over the place! Competition for dollars will become intense, and our members will resent the constant appeals for money and sales gimmicks. People don’t want a church that is trying to sell them something every time they turn around. If they wanted to buy something they would go to Wal-Mart. But the church is not Wal-Mart; it’s our spiritual family. It’s the place where we worship.
3. If everyone is permitted to do fundraisers it siphons resources away from the main part of the church causing financial instability.
4. Not permitting fund raisers also protects our church from becoming like a temple of moneychangers.
12And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, 13And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. (Matthew 21:12-13)
This policy has not always set well with everyone. Yet, in our twelve year history God has always provided the necessary resources. And in those seasons when things were lean, we simply scaled back. The end result of this practice is that we are a healthy church, with all departments fully engaged in ministry, and have never had to beg for money.
Aren't you glad?
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