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Guest
Guest
This past Saturday, as I was driving home from work - I noticed at the local bank and church - two youth groups doing the summer "Car Washes".
I would like to make a couple of observations about "Church Fundraisers".
Having been on staff at churches, as a youth pastor, I know the neccesities of needing to do fund-raisers. Having done creative ones (which are now becoming standard) and the typical ones, I also know the frustrations of doing fundraisers.
It is every youth pastor's dream to havae a fully functional and fully funded youth ministry. The reality is - well... it is less than ideal. The unfortunate thing, churches themselves seem to less than fully functional and fully funded.
The youth ministry of the church - should not be a seperate ministry - rather it should be a part of the ministry of the church. Youth need to be ministered too and be apart of the ministry of the church - they should be actively involved and welcomed to do ministry. As such, it is my belief that they should not have to rely on fundraisers to allow them to minister and be ministered too.
And youth groups - are you more concerned about 'raising money' in the community with your car washes, pancake breakfastes, and spaghetti dinners, or are you willing to trust in God to meet your needs and use those opportunities to minister to people. Wash the cars for free, feed the needy in your community for free - and I guarantee you that God will bless your ministry - maybe with monetary gain - or better yet, your sprit will be much 'richer' knowing that you have ministered to others.
I would like to make a couple of observations about "Church Fundraisers".
Having been on staff at churches, as a youth pastor, I know the neccesities of needing to do fund-raisers. Having done creative ones (which are now becoming standard) and the typical ones, I also know the frustrations of doing fundraisers.
It is every youth pastor's dream to havae a fully functional and fully funded youth ministry. The reality is - well... it is less than ideal. The unfortunate thing, churches themselves seem to less than fully functional and fully funded.
The youth ministry of the church - should not be a seperate ministry - rather it should be a part of the ministry of the church. Youth need to be ministered too and be apart of the ministry of the church - they should be actively involved and welcomed to do ministry. As such, it is my belief that they should not have to rely on fundraisers to allow them to minister and be ministered too.
And youth groups - are you more concerned about 'raising money' in the community with your car washes, pancake breakfastes, and spaghetti dinners, or are you willing to trust in God to meet your needs and use those opportunities to minister to people. Wash the cars for free, feed the needy in your community for free - and I guarantee you that God will bless your ministry - maybe with monetary gain - or better yet, your sprit will be much 'richer' knowing that you have ministered to others.
