Let’s say a church you love has amazing programs. They’re truly helping their neighbors.
Let me suggest that if you especially love a church’s programs, you should make a significant donation to (and set up recurring giving for) their general fund.
You may feel inspired to make a designated gift to a specific program of theirs you like.
There’s a temptation these days to designate our giving. I get it. I want my dollars to go directly to relief and aid as much as anyone.
However, ask yourself these questions:
How did the person seeking aid find out aid was available? Answer: The pastor and staff are good at publicity and communication and get the word out.
How did the relief get delivered? Answer: A check that was written by the church administrator.
How did that awesome camp or clothing closet or public refrigerator have the space to be in the community? Answer: Because there’s an air-conditioned church facility and parking lot maintained by the congregation.
How does the refrigerator get electricity? Answer: The general fund.
Who was the caring presence who delivered the check, or advocated for rent relief in the news media or at a community meetings? Answer: The pastor, whose salary is likely the largest percentage of a medium-sized church budget.
How did you become aware of the need in the first place, what inspired you to donate? Answer: If it was a church staff person or their media messaging, then once again even your awareness of the need and inspiration to give happened as a result of general fund support.
I’ll be honest. We find ourselves in a very interesting moment for social justice churches. Many people are suspicious of donating to religious organizations. And that suspicion in many instances is warranted.
But the reality is that religious practice is as diverse as human community itself. And many faith communities are creating, hosting, and facilitating some of the most important forms of relief and sanctuary we have, anywhere.
Our church is impacted by this reality. We have seen a significant increase in donations to special funds (like rent relief, our summer Queer Camp, The Transition Closet, etc.) and these are all good. But perhaps we forget that the way campers wash their hands, people trying on clothes in the closet have a comfortable environment, and most importantly, how we have staff who pour their lives into these programs, all is funded through the general fund.
So that’s it. That’s the whole post. Give to the general fund, and I 💯 guarantee your gift will have an impact, not just for one day, but in a sustaining way, because if you are sustaining the ministry of a church through the general fund, you are guaranteeing the church will work in the community for good for years to come, and if there’s enough generosity, that church will even expand its impact.
That’s the whole post. Now I invite you to go find the donation portal for that church you love so much, and start giving.
If you hate the evil that the ELCA spews these days (especially from this guy), vote with your pocketbook.