Letter asking for donations while church shopping - If you're not Christian please skip this thread

[Anonymous]

So we just moved to a new place and we've been church shopping for a few weeks. We got a lot of nice calls and letters from the pastors we met and we felt very welcome everywhere.

Just yesterday I was checking our mail and for the SECOND time we got a letter from one of those churches asking for money - actually, the only church whose pastor never called or mailed us a welcome letter. The letter was personal, signed with ink and mentioned all family members names.

I was angry in the beginning, disgusted for a while but in the end I'm just so upset. I feel like writing this pastor an email. A serious one asking him to watch out. How dare him pretend we're intimate and ask for money like that?

I grew up in a Christian home and have been part of very tiny congregations and also part of huge multi-campus churches with thousands of members so I know exactly how they operate.

I can't get over how horrible impression he's causing in other people visiting the church sending such letters instead of welcoming them to the church. I'm the daughter of a minister and in every church we've congregated it was always stressed how the financial responsibility should be thrown upon those who are mature in their faith. The new members should be fed and not asked to provide anything.

I really want to write to this man but I'm not sure what to say. What would you do?

[Anonymous]

Sorry for the typos...

[Anonymous]

Is it possible he thinks you've been visiting for a long time? That's the only possible excuse I can come up with.

I remember in the Southern Baptist Church being asked to sign "commitment cards" , and even as a member I thought that was wayyyyy over the line. And it's one of many, many, many reasons we consider ourselves recovering Southern Baptists.

We love our new church and have never been pressured to give money. Of course the church takes up offering. And there are many options for charitable giving throughout the year. But I've never been directly asked to give money. I think you should write the pastor. I would just be honest and direct about how the letter made you feel.

[Anonymous]

Did you really have to ask non-Christians to stay away? Ugh.

[Anonymous]

VERY offensive to ask non-Christians to stay away, OP.

[Anonymous]

I completely understand why you're upset, but reproaching the pastor probably isn't a good idea. The Bible says "touch not my anointed and do my prophet no harm." Although Saul was in the wrong, David refused to harm him because he was anointed by God. If this pastor is anointed by God to lead that church, then leave him to God and God will deal with him in due time. Saying a prayer for him would probably be the right thing to do.

BTW, I love your upbringing and wish I had grown up in the church.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:VERY offensive to ask non-Christians to stay away, OP.

I asked them to skip it. I don't need anybody mocking me for my religious choices and I don't want to tint anybody's opinion if they're thinking about visiting a church. I wanted the opinions of true Christians who have faced such situation. What's "VERY offensive" about it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I completely understand why you're upset, but reproaching the pastor probably isn't a good idea. The Bible says "touch not my anointed and do my prophet no harm." Although Saul was in the wrong, David refused to harm him because he was anointed by God. If this pastor is anointed by God to lead that church, then leave him to God and God will deal with him in due time. Saying a prayer for him would probably be the right thing to do.

BTW, I love your upbringing and wish I had grown up in the church.

Thanks to both PPs.

The bold part is exactly what my mom said to me when I told her about this letter earlier today. While I understand it can be a mistake I feel like he needs to know that his mailing system might be messed up and I already asked God for forgiveness if that's what happened while I was thinking he was just asking for money from people he doesn't know.

[Anonymous]

Sending him an email to "watch out"?

Um... is that what Jesus would do, OP?

I agree that it was crass to send a fundraising letter to you, but good grief... calm down. Cross that church off your list and move on. Life is too short, seriously.

[Anonymous]

And I'll add that you aren't making the best impression either... just saying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So we just moved to a new place and we've been church shopping for a few weeks. We got a lot of nice calls and letters from the pastors we met and we felt very welcome everywhere.

Just yesterday I was checking our mail and for the SECOND time we got a letter from one of those churches asking for money - actually, the only church whose pastor never called or mailed us a welcome letter. The letter was personal, signed with ink and mentioned all family members names.

I was angry in the beginning, disgusted for a while but in the end I'm just so upset. I feel like writing this pastor an email. A serious one asking him to watch out. How dare him pretend we're intimate and ask for money like that?

I grew up in a Christian home and have been part of very tiny congregations and also part of huge multi-campus churches with thousands of members so I know exactly how they operate.

I can't get over how horrible impression he's causing in other people visiting the church sending such letters instead of welcoming them to the church. I'm the daughter of a minister and in every church we've congregated it was always stressed how the financial responsibility should be thrown upon those who are mature in their faith. The new members should be fed and not asked to provide anything.

I really want to write to this man but I'm not sure what to say. What would you do?

Are YOU a "True Christian" OP?

[Anonymous]

Why is this something that a non-Christian would not be able to relate to? I just don't understand. I've been solicited for money too.

Why do you believe that you would be made fun of?

Jewish mom.

[Anonymous]

Non Christians! Avert your eyes! Avert your eyes! We are doing all the Christian things here!

[Anonymous]

Toin de uddah cheek.

[Anonymous]

true Christians? what are the other kind of Christians?