Approaches to Church Fundraising and their Implications for Christians in Ghana: Case Studies of Some Selected Churches in Cape Coast

Abstract

Even though fundraising has been part of the religious practices of the Church since its inception, concerns have been raised in recent times regarding the rationale for adopting certain unfamiliar strategies of raising funds towards church activities today. This study evaluates the rationale and the implications of the plethora of fundraising strategies currently being practiced by some Ghanaian churches. With across method triangulation, an in-depth analysis of the ideas of the leadership and the experiences of a portion of the laity regarding the phenomenon was made. The results of this study indicate that the rationale for the plethora of fundraising strategies was to meet the ever-increasing demands of the churches. In addition, the study posits that aside meeting their demands, the generated funds of the churches are also used as part of the churches5 co-operate responsibility to bring social change in the lives of adherents, non-adherents and social institutions. Despite this positive function, the plethora of strategies has, to some extent, created fatigue in giving, which has led the act of giving among the minority of the sampled population been influenced by social factors. Although, the majority of the sampled believers may also be affected by the fundraising strategies in the church, like the Macedonian Christians, they practiced the godly model of giving. Further, recommendations were made to aid the churches wean themselves from over-depending on their congregants for financial support. This： to some extent will help to reduce the fatigue in giving among congregants. Recommendations were also made regarding prudent use of church funds and effective stewardship.