Church sales
I was wondering about raffles, tag sales and other type events in the church. I was raised in the conservative Lutheran church and our churches were always self- supporting, which I still favor. What is WELS' view on this? Is it just an opinion of man all of these years that giving come from the church rather than sales to the public to help support them?
There is no synodical policy on the activities mentioned in your question. Differing local circumstances can lead to different practices. What I can do is pass along some observations from personal ministry experiences.
What congregations will want to keep in mind is the impression given by such sales. Congregational fundraising in the community can reinforce what many people wrongly think in the first place—that “all the church is concerned about is money.” Congregational fundraising in the community can reinforce work-righteous thinking in the minds of the unchurched, leading them to conclude that, if they have contributed something, “I’ve given to God, so I’ve done my duty.” Congregational fundraising in the community can undermine a church’s efforts to encourage its members to grow in their management of God’s blessings by relying on community revenue. Congregational fundraising in the community can lead people to think that the church cannot survive on its own but needs their resources.
Congregations might utilize community outreach efforts, including the sales you mentioned, to establish connections with their neighbors. As noted above, congregations will want to balance their exercise of Christian freedom with proper concern for all involved.
In addition, sales events within congregations can provide members with a service or product they might purchase elsewhere, and by purchasing said service or product, members are not diverting their regular offerings with these purchases.
Your questions are reminders to keep biblical principles of stewardship of money in mind: God owns everything (Psalm 24:1). We do not own a thing. God entrusts his possessions to us for faithful management of them (Matthew 25:14-30). It is love for God and gratitude for his love that provides the motivation for giving back to God what is his in the first place (2 Corinthians 5:15; 1 John 4:19). You and I have reason for planning our giving and planning offerings that are proportionate to how God has blessed us individually (1 Corinthians 16:2).