Church youth group always having fund raisers

[Shy Christian]

About every six weeks our church has an event where a couple loud bands come to "entertain" the youth, or anyone else who can stand it. Neither my son or myself like this music, which is typically heavy metal or rap, and certainly wouldn't pay to go. Yet, each time other members, youth and adults alike, will keep bugging us. My son just told one lady "I'll think about it" and she said emphatically "You're going!"

The youth also puts on a meal about every six weeks. The food is OK, but overpriced. We can get the same thing cheaper in a restaurant or make it ourselves for considerably less. Again, people urge us to buy tickets. We have to budget our money.

How can we get people to leave us alone?

[OneLight]

About every six weeks our church has an event where a couple loud bands come to "entertain" the youth, or anyone else who can stand it. Neither my son or myself like this music, which is typically heavy metal or rap, and certainly wouldn't pay to go. Yet, each time other members, youth and adults alike, will keep bugging us. My son just told one lady "I'll think about it" and she said emphatically "You're going!"

The youth also puts on a meal about every six weeks. The food is OK, but overpriced. We can get the same thing cheaper in a restaurant or make it ourselves for considerably less. Again, people urge us to buy tickets. We have to budget our money.

How can we get people to leave us alone?

Even though I have not experienced this behavior in any church I am familiar with, I can't say I understand your position, but if I did, I would just tell them the truth. They do announce upcoming events in the church calendar, don't they? If they do, then tell them that you are aware of the events, and if you feel led to attend, you will.

[Shy Christian]

They're in the bulletin, they make an official announcement every week, and yet several members every week will personally urge us to attend. It's so annoying.

[Guest LadyC]

i'll tackle the two separately...

regarding the meals that are served as fund raisers, try not to think about how you can eat somewhere else for cheaper. the whole point of fundraising is to raise funds... a little different than a restaurant that buys it's food supplies in bulk because they serve hundreds of patrons each day. the food for the fundraiser is bought at retail prices. but maybe you could encourage the youth pastor to consider a cheaper kind of meal.... spaghetti dinners are very economical, and if they charged $5/person, they'd still make a heck of a profit.

now about the music. i'd just tell people flat out "the day they bring in a band worth listening to, i'll consider going." i don't know if you donate to the youth department separately, but if you do, you might want to say "i donate money without having to listen to the noise."

[Shy Christian]

You just gave a good example.

Right now they're promoting their spaghetti dinner (no meatballs) for $8.00 apiece! I refuse to pay $16.00 for two dinners when I can make it at home so much cheaper.

[Guest LadyC]

well then i don't blame ya.... even a fund raiser spaghetti dinner should never cost more than $5, and it should be all you can eat for that price.

1 jar of spagheti sauce costs about $1. one package of the pasta costs about $0.69. that will feed about four people for less than $2. sounds like someone in charge of pricing is rather greedy. is this church in a very affluent area where they think people can afford that much?

[Guest man]

You just gave a good example.

Right now they're promoting their spaghetti dinner (no meatballs) for $8.00 apiece! I refuse to pay $16.00 for two dinners when I can make it at home so much cheaper.

Just don't go.

[Shy Christian]

well then i don't blame ya.... even a fund raiser spaghetti dinner should never cost more than $5, and it should be all you can eat for that price.

1 jar of spagheti sauce costs about $1. one package of the pasta costs about $0.69. that will feed about four people for less than $2. sounds like someone in charge of pricing is rather greedy. is this church in a very affluent area where they think people can afford that much?

It's upper middle class....although I live several miles away and I'm a single mom.

[Guest LadyC]

do they at least put ground beef in the sauce?

tell the harassers that you'd be pleased if they would consider buying two extra tickets to the dinner and invite a couple of their kids friends in your place.

[redwing]

just say, "thanks but no thanks."