what if -- Number one

[Penny]

What if some poeple at church was talking--

We would like to see us getting a new stove, but the funds are not there for at.

We talk more... Lets have a few fundraiser's to make the funds to do buy a new stove.

Sounds simple right?

What if the decons did not want to get rid of the old stove (that works- but it takes an hour for it to heat up) They feel the money raised could be put to better use.

Is it wrong for a group of people that see a need and take the efffort to do it?

What happens when you cannot make everyone happy?



THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED. (yet) This is a what if..

In talking to someone the other night about this, this is some of the what if that came up in just us talking..

[Ilovebigcats]

If someone donates a new stove then it doesn't matter if they want it or not. They should gladly accept. If they need money then they should sell the old one.

[Pianoman]

What if What if the decons did not want to get rid of the old stove (that works- but it takes an hour for it to heat up) They feel the money raised could be put to better use.

Be sure to talk to the deacon's wives first!
That will usually take of things in a hurry!

[Penny]

The person I was talking to I told her about that.

I said if our group raises the money our self, and we are NOT asking for the church to give us any money to do this, WHY will it be a huge deal..

She said- Well You know how---- is.

And I do know how that person/some poeple are.


The person I talked to said, we will make people mad if we start to do somethings we talked about.

I want to know why would reaching out side the walls of our church make people mad. (FACT I KNOW IT WOULD, it did before)

What is wrong with thinking out side the box, out side the walls of the church.

I read so many times what churches on here do and I think that is such a neat idea, but so many would be agasit it here, b.c it is not what they feel is normal.

[beckrl]

That is a dilemma, but what I would do is first see how many people would agree with this fund raiser for a new stove. Then with that in hand present the petition to the decons for a busniess meeting were the majority rules. If that does not work out "Pray" maybe do that first

[Pianoman]

Penny - one thing I would recommend if you are
in a smaller church is to always talk to your pastor
first. These types of things are common sore spots -
especially in smaller churches or churches where
finances are tight.

If the pastor has a vision for the church - you want to
make certain your group isn't doing anything that
might undermine or cause difficulties for what they
have in mind. Every church & situation is different.
Your group may want a new stove - but pastor & the
deacons may know that a huge insurance payment
is due in 2 months and they want to make certain
folks are able to give freely towards that, etc.

If pastor feels you have a good idea - they will most
likely give you their blessings & urge you to pursue
your goal - especially if your group is raising the money
as opposed to asking the church to dish it out.

[one love]

Penny I can feel your pain, trying to get some to do things that are not "of the norm" can be frustrating. I would tell the church that you were wanting to raise money and replace the stove, would they be okay with that. IF that is the purpose of the find raising then that is where it should go, just make sure the church understands that.

[JohnDB]

Fishing out of someone else's catfish pond...even if it is to give the owner of the pond the catfish...isn't a good idea to start with.

Here is a solution for you.

Have a fundraiser that has nothing to do with the members of the church...you tell no one that participates in the fundraiser what the money is for (so your church's name stays out of it and you aren't asking any of the members for an obligatory purchase/service)

Doing some babysitting or whatever to raise the money yourself is better sometimes than involving the "leadership" at the church. Because the second you involve the "leadership" that means that there is going to be politics involved. And if you show up with a stove that meets the current needs and future needs in one fell swoop they can't do anything but accept it. If two or three others want to join in with you to work on getting some cash together for a stove...so long as it is kept quiet there shouldn't be a problem.

I wish things weren't this way...but they are.

I have a real hatred of politics being inside of a church...but I know the realities just as well as you do...they exist.

[beckrl]

Maybe replacing the heating element or the thermostat would be better than a new stove.

[Penny]

We do plan to talk to the pastor on this in the up coming weeks.

Maybe replacing the heating element or the thermostat would be better than a new stove.

That is a good idea but this stove is very old... At least 15+

You would come out better to get a new one vs repair cost on this old one

As allways thank to all of your imput.

[Pastorbps]

TOP TEN SOLUTIONS TO YOUR STOVE PROBLEMS

1. Sell the people and keep the stove.
2. Have a Bake sale using only the old stove. Stand around after church saying, "Wait for it, wait for it..."
3. Donate the church an "Easy Bake Oven" (Be generous and include 10 extra light bulbs).
4. Keep the old stove but serve Sushi instead of Fried Chicken at church dinners.
5. Remove all toilets from the church and erect an outhouse. When asked about it, tell them you became uncomfortable with the extravagance - "The money for water & toilets could have been better used elsewhere."
6. During church dinners, lay chicken on all of the heating vents. Turn the Thermostat to 90 degrees and cook 12 hours.
7. Open old stove and place charcoal in the bottom and ignite them. Be sure the coals are nice and gray before placing food inside. Food will cook much quicker.
8. Buy 5 "NuWave Ovens" they cook faster and make it juicier. If you act now they will send you 5 sets of "Ginsu Knives." What deacon could turn down an offer like that?
9. Ask the deacon to check the inside of the oven. When he sticks his head in, slam the door repeatedly. (Never mind - I think I was in the flesh on that one).
10. Come to the next church dinner with a live chicken. Bite its head off and pass it around. When asked about it say, "Stove, Smove I saw this on 'Man vs. Wild' and it worked for him."

[Penny]

TOP TEN SOLUTIONS TO YOUR STOVE PROBLEMS

1. Sell the people and keep the stove.
2. Have a Bake sale using only the old stove. Stand around after church saying, "Wait for it, wait for it..."
3. Donate the church an "Easy Bake Oven" (Be generous and include 10 extra light bulbs).
4. Keep the old stove but serve Sushi instead of Fried Chicken at church dinners.
5. Remove all toilets from the church and erect an outhouse. When asked about it, tell them you became uncomfortable with the extravagance - "The money for water & toilets could have been better used elsewhere."
6. During church dinners, lay chicken on all of the heating vents. Turn the Thermostat to 90 degrees and cook 12 hours.
7. Open old stove and place charcoal in the bottom and ignite them. Be sure the coals are nice and gray before placing food inside. Food will cook much quicker.
8. Buy 5 "NuWave Ovens" they cook faster and make it juicier. If you act now they will send you 5 sets of "Ginsu Knives." What deacon could turn down an offer like that?
9. Ask the deacon to check the inside of the oven. When he sticks his head in, slam the door repeatedly. (Never mind - I think I was in the flesh on that one).
10. Come to the next church dinner with a live chicken. Bite its head off and pass it around. When asked about it say, "Stove, Smove I saw this on 'Man vs. Wild' and it worked for him."

LOL LOL LOL

I AM GOING TO PRINT THIS OUT AND GIVE THIS TO MY FREINDS....

thank you