Question
Please I have the following questions: 1. Is it scriptural for the church to have a special fundraising schemes such as launching, investing in treasury bills, having what is called ‘second collection’ in order to raise funds for church building? 2. Is it scriptural to have committees in church e.g Evangelism committee, Edification committee, Disciplinary/Counselling committee, Benevolence Committee, Visitation committee, etc? 3. Is it scriptural for the church to be financially involved in the burial of a member? If no, what if the member was indigent when he was alive? Thanks in anticipation.
Answers
Thanks for the good questions. Here are what I believe are the scriptural answers.
- The only way the church is to raise money is by a free will offering of its own members each first day of the week (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). Both the New American Standard Bible and the English Standard Version, which are generally accurate, “essentially literal” translations, translate verse two, “on the first day of every week.” The apostle specifically commanded this contribution to be taken each first day of the week so that there would not be a special collection (verse 2).
- The authorized organization of the local church is “saints” (members – 1 Corinthians 12:27), “bishops” (“overseers” – NASB, ESV), and “deacons” (“attendant, servant” – William D. Mounce, Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. 1120). Certainly the overseers (i.e., bishops, elders, pastors – Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Peter 5:1-2) may select a group of men or women to carry out a scripturally authorized task for the church (Acts 13:1-3), but decision-making authority remains with the elders (1 Timothy 5:17), or, for a congregation without elders, with all the men of the congregation (1 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Timothy 2:12).
- The work of the church is limited to spiritual activities (John 18:36; Romans 14:17), i.e., evangelism (1 Thessalonians 1:1, 6-8), edification (Ephesians 4:11-16), and benevolence for needy saints (Acts 4:32-35; 11:29-30). If a needy saint is unable to bury his own dead, the church may assist him, as an act of benevolence. Throughout the nations in Africa where I have traveled, it is a custom for the family of the deceased to provide an elaborate feast for those who attend the funeral. This is not a benevolent necessity and is not the work of the church.
