What do you think about a church offering an affinity credit card as a fundraising gesture?

People can obtain credit cards with their college, their sports team, their professional organization, et al. Now, I know of a church which wants to offer her own affinity credit card. At the recent assembly, I voiced my objection based on fundamental grounds - churches should not be in the business of promoting debt. Yet, many people spoke in favor of the measure. I can see the "good steward" argument in a credit card but given how many people are in debt thanks to credit cards - a church should not place her image on an instrument of debt.

Good answers so far - I debated whether or not to post here or in Religion & Spirituality.

I think a church should be a church and a bank should be a bank. A church should be for saving souls, a bank should be for saving money.

A church can teach financial responsibility and stewardship, after all every thing we have comes from God, and we should use God's gifts wisely. A good economic principle is the 10-10-80 rule. Of net income -10% for God, 10% for saving, live on the 80% left over.

10-10-80 is a goal not a rule or law. Also notice I said net not gross. In this day and age it cost money to go to work. giving to God is not the same as giving to the church, but hopefully, your church helps the people in need, both spiritual and physical. Report It

I guess it's kind of strange to me but who am I to judge LOL.

That's shady. I don't think I could continue to go there on moral grounds alone, much less use their credit card. What does it earn you bonus points in heaven?

Sounds fishy, and something that I wouldn't be involved in. Kinda weird that a church wants to obtain profit through something that can be 'karmically' (sic) negative.

Post it in R&S as well, get different opinions. That's fine and not against the TOS, you just can't post over and over and over. But then again, you probably already knew that.

If what you say is a fact, I am happy that I am not a financial slave to there God.
Many Churches, many conceptions of God. If they choose that one, well they are free to be.
That Jesus fella busted up the Money Changers places, I read the bible a few times and I remember that part.
I see your point, and am happy that I am with that church nor do I whisper to that God.
I am a Fusionist, that is all religions are ok with me long as they don't force any thoughts into others, hurt others or promote war.
That dude was all like, Peace and Love, I am hep to that.

I would have a HUGE problem with this.

I suggest your church reflect on a few readings in the Bible and Christian financial counselors.

First, the Bible talks at length about debt and not one verse is that we should go into debt. Credit cards are debt. The biggest verse the church needs to pray about is Proverbs 22:7 "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender." The borrower is servant to the lender! Who wants to be a servant?? Also Proverbs 22:26-27 "Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you." Also read Proverbs 6:1-5 "My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have struck hands in pledge for another, if you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth, then do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor's hands: Go and humble yourself; press your plea with your neighbor! Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids. Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler. " (Security is co-sign in today's language)

As for the counselors, I suggest your church read Howard Dayton he is co-founder of Crown Financial (www.crown.org) and Dave Ramsey (www.daveramsey.com)

Both these counselors have seen the fruits of debt free congregations and churches. The congregations are able to give more when they are not "slave to the lender" (in debt).

Independent of religious or moral questions, it simply does not provide much assistance to the church. The percentages are so low, it would amount to very little. Church members would be able to contribute more if they used cash rebate cards to save even more money and then donate the cash to church directly.

Those affinity cards are just not very generous.

I don't think affinity cards generate enough revenue to make it worth ruffling the feathers of a good part of the congregation.

Most pay 1% (or even less), so $10,000 in purchases with the cards would only raise $100.

Here's a good article on church fundraising with lots of suggestions for ways to raise money:

http://www.fundraiserhelp.com/church-fun...

Plus, the site has numerous other articles on putting together Christian fundraising events, etc.

Hope this helps!