Ministry News

Money-Back Guarantee ... From a Church?

Details: Tuesday, 24 March 2009 11:38

For those who have lost a job during the current economic recession, church can be a place to replenish hope for the future. Yet one Midwestern congregation recently provided a unique spin to the idea of replenishing.

During their annual stewardship campaign, leaders at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Indianapolis announced an unusual deal for pledgers: Lose your job and we'll reimburse your contributions.

Eric Hinkle, acting president of Unitarian's board of trustees, said he came up with the idea after seeing a Hyundai commercial offering the same money-back guarantee. "[But] it transcends the money," he said. "It's about deepening the relationship between your community and your church."

The church's leaders are well aware that following through with their promise could potentially place the church in a serious financial dilemma. With 280 members and 70 additional financial supporters, Unitarian operates with a small cash reserve on a $270,00 annual budget. An abundance of layoffs later this year could force the congregation to come up with money already spent.

"We will do what we can when the time comes," Hinkle said. "I think it's a big leap of faith that it's all going to work out." [indystar.com, 3/6/09]

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Comments

0 #1 Robert Eilers 2009-03-25 07:14

One big problem. That money is not the church's. That money is God's. What if God started taking back our blessing? That's essentially what would be happening. Once that money goes in the plate, it you get a blessing. Would you want it taken back? I don't think so.

It might be a good idea for a car company, but it's a horrible idea for a church.

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