Our beliefs concerning “fundraising”
God has called us to serve as missionaries in Africa. Part of missionary work involves raising “support.” Such “support raising” is often associated with “fundraising” which happens frequently in today’s world and in today’s church. We want to share with you our approach to raising support for the ministry that we are doing in Africa. We believe that this approach is in line with Scripture and Lutheran doctrine and that it is God-pleasing. We also believe that it is respectful of the Church, His enlightened and sanctified People.
First and foremost, let us be clear: We do not raise funds for our ministry. God raises the necessary funds and support for His work that He has called us to do in South Africa and throughout Africa at Lutheran Theological Seminary. He acts. We are simply on the receiving end of his abundant grace and incredible providence.
Please know that when the child from Sunday School, the woman from the LWML, the businessman from church, the voter’s assembly of a congregation, or any child of God decides to give money for our support, God is at work through these individuals or these congregations to support His all-important work of calling, gathering, enlightening, and sanctifying His own People in Africa. Susan and I are simply privileged to be the instruments that He has chosen to use at this time and in this place called Africa. As such, when such gracious giving happens, these individuals or congregations are not giving to us. They are giving to God who has graciously called us to do His merciful work in a certain area of His Kingdom – Africa.
If we are not raising funds, what are we doing? W see our primary task as that of telling the story of what God is doing through Lutheran theological and pastoral education in Africa. Similar to missionary Paul’s reporting to the People of God at Antioch (Acts 14:27), we want to share the story of God’s work in Africa with the People of God in the U.S. We believe that the Church in the U.S. needs to know about this exciting and yet challenging area of God’s work. We also believe that God will raise up those who in His time and in His way will support it.
What I am saying goes against my natural inclination. I am often tempted by many including the “salesman” within me (I worked several “sales” oriented jobs before becoming a missionary and, I daresay, was not too bad at it) to over-strategize and allow the issue of money to govern our decisions. This is a personal struggle as the reality is that we have agreed in accepting this call to South Africa to be 100% responsible for “raising” our own support. While not losing this completely from sight, we are making a concerted effort to avoid making strategic decisions based on money issues. We are not a business. We are God’s church and His people who have been called out of darkness into His most marvelous light. Without in any way belittling business (another true gift of God), it is also true that the rules of His Church are different than those that govern business (perhaps we have lost sight of this too much).
When a child of God is manipulated into giving and serving (i.e., by “forcing one’s hand” or “guilting”), it can and often does weaken and hurt one’s faith. I know this because in the past it has hurt my own faith walk with my Lord and Savior. Far be it from us to do such a thing to a fellow brother or sister in Christ. It makes his or her giving and serving a law-thing (I have to give…) and not a gospel-thing (I give back to God because of what He has done for me in Jesus and what He continues to do for others throughout the world). If we cannot give in complete freedom with a joyous heart, I will be as bold as to say that it is better not to give.
Although we are relatively new at this focused effort at “fundraising,” we have been on the receiving end of God’s amazing providence through His People for many, many, many years (even while still in seminary preparing for mission work) and we have learned to never be surprised and yet always appreciative of the way in which God works through His People to provide for our needs.
To put it simply, we do not visit or contact churches because of money. If we can tell God’s story about Lutheran theological education in Africa and strengthen our friendship with our brothers and sisters in the states, God be praised. We will have accomplished our purpose. God will do the rest if, when, where, and how He so desires it. The Lord will provide. Remember: The Lord who called us to Africa is the same one who pulled funds from the mouth of a fish!
We look forward to encouraging you as you encourage us (Rom 15:24). The Lord bless and keep you.
Pastor Glenn Fluegge
