DA Weaver
27th March 2008, 04:39 PM (16:39)
Vivian and Marsha's post got me to thinking about church fund raisers.
I am a part of a church that currently does not like "fund raising". They woud prefer a financial request be made known to the church and that the church supply for the needs.
Personally, I have four children, all of whom I had knowing I was responsible financially for. However, I find even within the church that there is so much financial pressure placed on children and youth. Between regular life, b-day parties, school, church, it seems someone's always needing money for something. It's up to us to set our priorities as to what we want to participate in, or what the children would like most.
Here's a typical day in the life of the Weaver household, please don't take it as a complaint, it's just a typical demand on finances. February and March seem to be great months to use as examples... School registration $200.00 /$50.00 per student (wait until later and it goes up $25.00 per child per month). BLAST X amount per entry, plus meals. Class field trip $260.00 (x's 2 children attending) plus spending money. Request for donations to the Easter party for the children at church, Alabaster Offering, Easter Offering, fire victims who completely lost everything in their homes who are in desparate need of financial assistance. Add to that a b-day party for a friend, my son's own b-day party, which will be done at little expense, a visit to the ER and two prescriptions, a visit to the doctor and two more prescriptions, a visit back home to see family that's in from out of the country, blah, blah, blah, blah..... Come April / May, when it's time for the kids to come up with money to go to church camp? We're about tapped out. I understand that the price of church camp is minimal compared to what it would cost if they had to pay for all of the expenses, but even at $125.00 per camper, our whole family could enjoy a nice little vacation for that price. Let's not forget District NYI retreat, which seems to be held in November... prime Christmas shopping time.
I personally am not comfortable going to the church and asking for someone to sponsor my child/ren to attend church camp for the summer. I would much rather see my kids put forth an effort and work by either washing cars, hosting a yard sale, slave day, etc... to earn their way toward the project they wish to participate in. My teenage son has a desire to go on his class field trip. The money was due by today for him to attend. He's shoveled snow, has put up fliers and has 3 different job offers pending, we just have to wait on the weather to break. He's earned $115.00 of his $260 that was due, and has faith he will earn the rest. I don't necessarily feel it's right for me to ask the church to help him attend his trip, even if it is with a Christian School. I feel requests like that should be reserved for compassionate ministries, and true needs.
However, with that being said... I also believe that God allows the prayer request of people to be answered through their church family. Case in point... my son, daughter, and their girlfriend ... lol, I say that because she was my daughter's friend when she became my son's "girlfriend" last week ... anyway, one night in youth group a few months ago, they were sharing prayer requests. They requested prayer that some how the Lord would provide finances for all three children to attend their school field trip. The Lord laid that request upon the heart of one of their youth leaders, who has now approached me and said that she is interested in helping to send my daughter on the trip as well. This is a blessing, as she has not been able to get the jobs or earn the money that her brother has. The majority of the finances he's earned have been through shoveling snow, and jobs he already had last year.
So, when it comes to "fund raisers" I'm not opposed to them, simply because I feel that free will offerings should be reserved for compassionate ministries and true needs. As for soemthing that I consider a luxery, I have no problems allowing my children to participate in a fund raising activity. Besides, fund raisers are for those interested in participating, unlike in some offerings in which I find there's a spiritual need / responsibility to participate.
Oh, I've blabbed enough... with that being said... please pray for the kids, as they continue in their fund raising efforts to attend their class field trip at the end of the year.
Thanks! :basic05
I am a part of a church that currently does not like "fund raising". They woud prefer a financial request be made known to the church and that the church supply for the needs.
Personally, I have four children, all of whom I had knowing I was responsible financially for. However, I find even within the church that there is so much financial pressure placed on children and youth. Between regular life, b-day parties, school, church, it seems someone's always needing money for something. It's up to us to set our priorities as to what we want to participate in, or what the children would like most.
Here's a typical day in the life of the Weaver household, please don't take it as a complaint, it's just a typical demand on finances. February and March seem to be great months to use as examples... School registration $200.00 /$50.00 per student (wait until later and it goes up $25.00 per child per month). BLAST X amount per entry, plus meals. Class field trip $260.00 (x's 2 children attending) plus spending money. Request for donations to the Easter party for the children at church, Alabaster Offering, Easter Offering, fire victims who completely lost everything in their homes who are in desparate need of financial assistance. Add to that a b-day party for a friend, my son's own b-day party, which will be done at little expense, a visit to the ER and two prescriptions, a visit to the doctor and two more prescriptions, a visit back home to see family that's in from out of the country, blah, blah, blah, blah..... Come April / May, when it's time for the kids to come up with money to go to church camp? We're about tapped out. I understand that the price of church camp is minimal compared to what it would cost if they had to pay for all of the expenses, but even at $125.00 per camper, our whole family could enjoy a nice little vacation for that price. Let's not forget District NYI retreat, which seems to be held in November... prime Christmas shopping time.
I personally am not comfortable going to the church and asking for someone to sponsor my child/ren to attend church camp for the summer. I would much rather see my kids put forth an effort and work by either washing cars, hosting a yard sale, slave day, etc... to earn their way toward the project they wish to participate in. My teenage son has a desire to go on his class field trip. The money was due by today for him to attend. He's shoveled snow, has put up fliers and has 3 different job offers pending, we just have to wait on the weather to break. He's earned $115.00 of his $260 that was due, and has faith he will earn the rest. I don't necessarily feel it's right for me to ask the church to help him attend his trip, even if it is with a Christian School. I feel requests like that should be reserved for compassionate ministries, and true needs.
However, with that being said... I also believe that God allows the prayer request of people to be answered through their church family. Case in point... my son, daughter, and their girlfriend ... lol, I say that because she was my daughter's friend when she became my son's "girlfriend" last week ... anyway, one night in youth group a few months ago, they were sharing prayer requests. They requested prayer that some how the Lord would provide finances for all three children to attend their school field trip. The Lord laid that request upon the heart of one of their youth leaders, who has now approached me and said that she is interested in helping to send my daughter on the trip as well. This is a blessing, as she has not been able to get the jobs or earn the money that her brother has. The majority of the finances he's earned have been through shoveling snow, and jobs he already had last year.
So, when it comes to "fund raisers" I'm not opposed to them, simply because I feel that free will offerings should be reserved for compassionate ministries and true needs. As for soemthing that I consider a luxery, I have no problems allowing my children to participate in a fund raising activity. Besides, fund raisers are for those interested in participating, unlike in some offerings in which I find there's a spiritual need / responsibility to participate.
Oh, I've blabbed enough... with that being said... please pray for the kids, as they continue in their fund raising efforts to attend their class field trip at the end of the year.
Thanks! :basic05