Ministry economic empowerment: A non-traditional fundraising project towards ministry growth, 2018
Miles, Clarke R.
2018-05
2010-2019
The purpose of this Project is to introduce a “Community Thrift Store” within the Union Community African Methodist Episcopal Church to stimulate membership participation in ministry activities and to generate an increased interest for non-churched residents of the community to attend the local church. The title of this Ministry Project is: “Ministry Economic Empowerment: A Non-Traditional Fundraising Project Towards Church Growth.” The theological foundation of the scriptural reference is Acts 2:45. “They would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need.” (NRSV) This Ministry Project is a theological study that will use qualitative research to solve the stated problem. The thesis statement of this Ministry Project is joining an individual’s passion for ministry with group synergy will generate self-supporting revenues that add value to a ministry’s economic empowerment capabilities. Therefore, there is a Biblical and Theological basis for Union Community to develop non-traditional means to fund the ministry using a Community Thrift Store module. The need is great however, the Ministry Economic Empowerment Project proposes to bring a new solution of activity to the table. Ministry Economic Empowerment: A Non-Traditional Fundraising Project Towards Church Growth discusses the process and results of the traditional forms of fundraising for ministry [i.e., Chicken dinners, Women's Days, Choir Anniversaries] and the non-traditional fundraising a Community Thrift Store provides. Much research can be found on the rates of success or failure of ministries. In the March 9, 2012 Reuters article, Tim Reid reported on the high number of churches in foreclosure. One alarming statistic Tim Reid reported is that 270 churches defaulted on their loans in 2010. With so many ministries experiencing decline, the problem of church closures appears to be unanswered. The typical response of some black churches is to have a prayer meeting in order to seek guidance. A prayer meeting, however, does not generate or create an increase in membership and financial giving which is needed to take care of the costs of operating the ministry. The Ministry Economic Empowerment Project is in response to this need and is designed to attract the donations and funds for doing ministry. The non-traditional means to raise funds for church growth is born out of the great ministry need. Non-traditional fundraising is an option that has been on the back burner of the church’s calendar for many years. This Ministry Project used a Community Thrift Store to create a ministry and its associated activities. Financed by donations, the Community Thrift Store has the potential to establish a constant stream of finances to be sown into other self-sufficient Ministry Projects. Therefore, the goal of the non-traditional form of funding ministry is to develop a sustainable non-profit ministry program that results in increased social impact and financial donations to be used toward ministry growth activities.
text
application/pdf
born digital
Interdenominational Theological Center Theses and Dissertations
dissertation
Doctor of Ministry (DMin)
Interdenominational Theological Center
Morgan, Marvin M.
Interdenominational Theological Center Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library
Georgia--Atlanta
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12322/itc.td:2018_itc_clarke_miles_r
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/
