How do you feel about a church fundraising on the street corner?

[Horse with no Name]

I saw several churchmembers on the corner today with a collection plate trying to get money from the passing cars.
Their van was parked there so I know it wasn't a scam (at least it was the church and not someone representing the church) and there was a man playing a guitar and singing.
I thought a church was supposed to raise money for its operation from it's parishioners and that is why pastors and preachers move from town to town, trying to get into a larger church.
I had just never seen this, and living in an area that has more churches than convenience stores, it struck me as being odd.

[QC]

1. Tha Nation of Islam did that where I used to live.

I never really cared one way or the other.

[RoyGBiv]

2. I don't care ...

Doesn't bother me at all as long as any organization can use the same street corner for the same purpose.

[Tempest]

3. Not only is it odd

It reeks of desperation.


But then again, even Pat Robertson is having financial problems.

Christian Coalition Shrinks as Debt Grows
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/09/AR2006040901063_pf.html

[DanCa]

4. What were they fundraising for?

I mean if they were collecting for katrina victims it wouldn't bother me. If it was for something else it might.

[Horse with no Name]

8. The sign just said to give to the church

When our church was building a new sanctuary, they requested that the members increase their tithes.
When the kids were going to church camp--they washed cars and had bake sales to raise money...however, you got something for your donation.
But to stand on the side of the road with a collection plate in hand just looked so strange and as I said--it was something I had never seen before.

[DanCa]

9. I agree with you than it's wrong.

Hell why don't they stand outside their own church and ask for money from the passers by.

[benburch]

As long as they stay out of my way, fine.

If they impede the flow of traffic, they need to be ticketed.

[celestia671]

5. They do it around here alot too..

It's usually for a particular cause(someone that's sick, going on a church related trip, etc.) I see no harm in it whatsoever.

[me b zola]

6. Better that than 'faith-based initiative' $$$$

I'd like to see all of the churches get their hands out of the govt cookie jar and go back to raising funds by *willing* contributors.

[rpannier]

7. It's not totally uncommon

It's very rare for established churches to do that. But for less established ministries, sometimes they will collect from passer-bys.

[NMMNG]

10. If the tithes they get from church members and the fact that they

pay no taxes isn't enough to keep them afloat then maybe they should take that as a sign that they aren't meant to be. They shouldn't be harassing people on the streets for money just for their church.

[Tulum_Moon]

11. They are reduced to panhandling

Maybe this means slowly but surly the churches are getting less "church goers" (or if you want to call them, victims). JMO.

[NMMNG]

12. Then they need to do what any business would in such a situation

Close down.

[Horse with no Name]

13. That was kind of my thought

My Grandfather was a Baptist preacher in rural Indiana and had 6 children.
He used to tell me stories that during hard times, when parishioners couldn't give in the collection plate, they would bring vegetables out of their garden, chickens, etc...so even if they didn't have money, they always ate.
They always made do with what they had. Of course, my mom and aunts and uncles weren't as fond of "those times" when a coke and a boloney sandwich were big treats.:)
I just always thought that the church was supposed to take care of it's preacher through it's offerings and tithes.

[Horse with no Name]

14. Actually (at least in this area)

I think it is pure market saturation as opposed to people abstaining from church.
How can a town with 1500 people support 7 churches?
Not only do they compete with the other churches, they also compete with the larger churches a few miles up the road in the next town.

[enigmatic]

15. I don't care

Doesn't register for me.

[APPLE314]

16. There are over 900,000 churches in the USA

Every one of them want money.

[killbotfactory]

17. As long as they aren't breaking the law...

I don't see a problem with it.

It does seem kind of odd, though.

[Bridget Burke]

18. Anyone should be allowed to ask for $$$....

As long as they don't obstruct traffic. And anyone is allowed to drive on by if they wish.

What if it were one of YOUR causes?