Support for other ministries
I have a friend who is a pastor in the LCMS. He is trying to raise money for a mission trip. Would I be violating any church fellowship or other rules if I donated to his mission fund?
Your concern for scriptural fellowship principles, and not “church rules,” is to be commended.
Scripture provides general fellowship principles that we seek to apply to very specific situations like yours. Scripture does provide guidance such as: “ I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them” (Romans 16:17). “Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work” (2 John 9-11). “We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth” (3 John 8).
Scriptural principles direct us to recognize when we do not enjoy doctrinal unity with others and to refrain from activities that we would be involved in if there were doctrinal unity. Those principles instruct us not even to give the impression that doctrinal errors are unimportant. Those principles show us that we want to work together in the gospel with those whose faith embraces the teachings of the Bible. It is clear that we are not to support, including financially, ministries that deviate from Scripture.