Is the Church a business or something else?

Walking in to a coffee shop, you know that you will go in there to pay for a service.  The person behind the counter will make a coffee beverage of your choice with a variety of flavors, sugar, or milk to go with it.  There is a menu placed on the board that clearly notes the cost of that beverage that you choose.  From the cost of that beverage, you know that you are paying the farmer for the coffee beans, the farmer for the sugar and even the farmer who gathered the milk.  You are also paying the wage of the person who served you along with anyone who is part of the path that brought all of these things together.  

When you go into a bookstore, it is much of the same thing.  You know that you shall purchase a book.  The cost of the book will cover not only the paper and printing cost, but also part of the of money will go to the author, the person who works at the bookstore, and even some to the company. Along with anyone else who may have been a part of the production, shipping, and bringing all of this together so that you could purchase that book.  

Within both of these models, there is an understanding that each item that you are going to purchase, you will pay a certain amount of money to cover the cost of that item.  What you do not often see is the breakdown of the various parts that go into that final cost of things.  However, when you enter into a church.  Paying for a service is typically the last thing you think about.  More often than not, most people enter a congregation to receive something.  However, the church is part of our earthly world and has costs. The church has a need for funds for the various parts.  These cost are needed to ensure that it is able to still operate the next time you come there.  Much like the coffee shop or book store.  

Once a year, there is a meeting that is held to show people the various church related area where the money goes.  To the staff that work at the church, to the building, and even to the ministries (the caring of the people in the community).  I am truly astounded that it is often this last one that has the smallest importance in the budget.  Within most churches, the ministries (the caring of the people in the community) will get the leftover money after the other bills are paid.  Of course, you pay the staff so that they are able to live in this community just as you do.  But we need to seriously see the need in the budget for money to be given to those who truly need the help in the community.  

A church is not a business like those two mentioned before.  The church does something completely different.  The church reminds each person that they are connected to one another.  When one person is suffering, in need of food, clothing, shelter or even emotional needs, the church is a place where they can find help.  They do not have to pay, for the church.  It is the place where they are able to receive help, care and guidance for their life.  But please understand, that sometimes a church will help, care and guide someone not through a gift of money or service, but showing them the lesson to truly grow as a member in this community and to contribute and share with all in the community.  

So when we enter into a church, we should not think: How can this place serve me?  Because there won’t be a menu board with prices listed.  But rather it is a place where we can serve and be served.  A place to gather to support, help, grow, care, learn, and guide others.  It is a place where the past, the present and the future come together.  It is a place where all needs should be met and satisfied for all who gather there.*  So the church is not a business, but a community in which we live out the principles and love of God.  So often we view the church as another place for us to be served, a place to receive another item or thing, but instead it is a place that we truly need to serve others.  

*Please understand, I mean needs and not the wants that we have of this world.   

For the record, if you did walk into most churches and there was a menu board.  It would probably look something like this:

Sunday Worship	$100
Holiday Worship	$300
Communion	Additional $150
Baptism	$250
Confirmation	If Baptized here: $100  If Baptized at different location: $200
Wedding	$2000 or 10% cost of wedding (whichever is the greater dollar amount. Final cost of wedding will need to be shown to verify)
Funeral Service	$250 & $5 to attend but if a meal is served $10
Sunday School	$20 per week
Youth Group	$20 per week
Counseling	$30 per hour

Each figure above is an average based for each person.  There is no charge to attend a wedding unless the reception will be held at the church.  Then there is a $20 charge per person to cover the cost of the meal.

Please note: A person can also give an even $5800 per year to cover their costs to attend all year for Worship Services and Holiday Services but other events will be charged separately.

This is really something to think about.  Aren’t you glad that we do not have this menu board for the church.  Some of us would be left out.  Some of us would not feel welcomed.  We need to invite and embrace and equip each other to serve the church not just charge a fees.  But the reality is, if we are not supporting the church with our gifts and service, it may not be here when it is truly needed.  Along with that, we will not realize how great of a service it does and can offer us until it is completely gone and we are the one in need of it.

So perhaps the question when we walk into a church is how can I serve and work with this community of Disciples of Jesus Christ?