Would like some feedback

[Work in Progress]

I would like to know if this is "just me" or if anyone else would feel the same way.

In our church, there is often a clipboard or two that gets passed around during the service. On the clipboard is a sign up sheet for various things - bring this to covered dish, bring that for missions, sign up to clean on the third Saturday of the month etc. You get the picture.

So today, a clipboard gets passed around. But it's not to sign up to donate an item or your time, this is a clipboard that is selling hoagies to benefit some mission project - a fundraiser. Listed on the sheet was types of hoagies, how much they cost, when they will be delivered - similar to fundraising sheets our children bring home from various clubs.

I was extremely offended by this. Christ made it very clear that His house was not to be a house of business or merchandising. In fact, it made him very angry when people did that, the angriest we see Him. His point was that worship is a beautiful and sacred thing and should not be cheapened by selling goods during the service or in the building.

I am going to bring this up at church.............or maybe not. I wanted to hear what others thought first. Would that offend you? Or is it no big deal?

[Fiosh]

I would like to know if this is "just me" or if anyone else would feel the same way.

In our church, there is often a clipboard or two that gets passed around during the service. On the clipboard is a sign up sheet for various things - bring this to covered dish, bring that for missions, sign up to clean on the third Saturday of the month etc. You get the picture.

So today, a clipboard gets passed around. But it's not to sign up to donate an item or your time, this is a clipboard that is selling hoagies to benefit some mission project - a fundraiser. Listed on the sheet was types of hoagies, how much they cost, when they will be delivered - similar to fundraising sheets our children bring home from various clubs.

I was extremely offended by this. Christ made it very clear that His house was not to be a house of business or merchandising. In fact, it made him very angry when people did that, the angriest we see Him. His point was that worship is a beautiful and sacred thing and should not be cheapened by selling goods during the service or in the building.

I am going to bring this up at church.............or maybe not. I wanted to hear what others thought first. Would that offend you? Or is it no big deal?

Well, this kind of thing does seem out of place during the service. In my church, fundraising/volunteer stuff is done either outside the doors, before/after the service; or in bad weather, in the gathering space (vestibule). For instance, once a year the local pro-life agency sells carnations to raise money.

If you complain, be prepared to volunteer to stand outside with the clipboard and encouraging people to sign up.

My guess is that the pastor figures he'll get a better response if your "neighbor" is watching you sign up.

Peace,

Fiosh

PS. As for Jesus' reaction to the moneychangers...that was a bit different in that it dealt with cheating those coming to worship. Remember He said they have made it "a den of thieves".

[ted]

I'd be kind of ticked, too, WIP.

If it's happening during the service, then I don't agree with it at all. That time should be dedicated to the Lord's service, not for little fund raisers.

t.

[shepherdsgrace]

surely does sound like it cheapens a time of worship and takes advantage of people at the same time. smacks of manipulation............my opinion only!

[willsmom]

I always say look at someones motive for doing something before you decide if they are wrong or right. I think it would be distracting for a list to be passed around but I really don't think anyone did it with the intention of taking away from the service. They probably didn't think it through. In my opinion you should go to the person that started the list, tell them that it would probably be better to take orders before or after church. That way you don't offend someone about yourself being offended. As far as Jesus being angry, If your raising moneyfor His kingdom I don't think it would anger Him. The timing may be bad but purpose is probably o.k..

[Bolts]

By saying 'maybe not', I'm guessing that there will either be a bit of backlash, or you are just contemplating at the moment.

In every church there are two systems at work: 1. Membership of the Church, 2. Membership of Christs body.

The Church has legal and political obligations that have to be met - along with the every day running of the chuch. My church sponsors a child and supports two mission teams. These are full time commitments. Our Sunday School and Youth Group are also full time. Whenever unexpected things come up like the Tsunami or World Vision, then a special offering is taken up. A clip board goes around at the beginning of the year asking members which service that they would be interested in doing for the church for that year - but it is very flexible.

Once we have rendered unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar then we get into the best part which is rendering unto God. Church business usually only takes up about half an hour to 3/4 of an hour.

My advice is to pray and ask the Lord what to do about this concern you have. It might be that others are feeling the same way too. If several of you in the church are begining to get concerned than maybe you should write a constructive letter.

[Leonard]

Just another sign of how American churches have completely forgotten the concepts of 'sacred' and 'common.'

[InternalFlame]

I would say that it is good to raise money - however, during the church service is not the time to do it. During worship time it is time to WORSHIP and nothing else. If I was in your place I would suggest to them to have sign up boothes outside of the church to get people as they leave. Or do it on different time.

[cymba22]

I would like to know if this is "just me" or if anyone else would feel the same way.

In our church, there is often a clipboard or two that gets passed around during the service. On the clipboard is a sign up sheet for various things - bring this to covered dish, bring that for missions, sign up to clean on the third Saturday of the month etc. You get the picture.

So today, a clipboard gets passed around. But it's not to sign up to donate an item or your time, this is a clipboard that is selling hoagies to benefit some mission project - a fundraiser. Listed on the sheet was types of hoagies, how much they cost, when they will be delivered - similar to fundraising sheets our children bring home from various clubs.

I was extremely offended by this. Christ made it very clear that His house was not to be a house of business or merchandising. In fact, it made him very angry when people did that, the angriest we see Him. His point was that worship is a beautiful and sacred thing and should not be cheapened by selling goods during the service or in the building.

I am going to bring this up at church.............or maybe not. I wanted to hear what others thought first. Would that offend you? Or is it no big deal?

That would offend me,for the very reasons you cited.

[Work in Progress]

Thank you all for your imput. It is really appreciated.