Editing this magazine means we receive emails from all over the world, from people and places I’ve never heard of. Usually they want something. Usually that something is money.

Many are from perfectly legitimate Christian charitable organisations and, sadly, often end up in the bin. There are too many for us to support them all. Others are written in fractured English and are seeking money to buy a new lung or some other organ for a seriously ill, dirt-poor relative.

Who knows, maybe some of these letters are genuine. Most, I suspect, are not.

Then there are the emails that border on the bizarre, such as this one that turned up early July and reads: 

“God-Allah announced today He is now seeking sponsors for the purpose of The Resurrection. Applicants may apply by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

“Allah states, ‘I am pleased to update you on My Successful Arrival. I am seeking sponsors, e.g. businesses, organisations, communities, etc. to further the cause of The Resurrection. I want the world to know I love you and am here amongst you. I thank you for your prayers and issue My Press most expediently. I believe although this is an emergency, I advise you to stay calm, pray and welcome Me unto you so I may help you.’

“For more information please contact …”

It seems the recession is being felt in Heaven. Even Jesus needs corporate sponsorship to fund the Resurrection! 

But it did get me thinking about donations and sponsorship in a church context. I don’t like receiving begging letters, and I doubt aid organisations like sending them. But I suppose the reality is that they need money to do God’s work. 

To start with, Fran and I tried giving a little to everyone who asked, but this got to the ridiculous stage. Once we had given something, we would end up on a database somewhere and get heaps more begging letters. It’s like those Reader’s Digest letters …answer one and you can guarantee you’ll be getting them for years to come!

So giving is important but I don’t think God minds if we are a bit strategic about it and plan to whom and how much we will give over the course of a year.

Corporate sponsorship can have a role to play in a church’s community mission. But it needs to be treated with caution. Often business people in a church congregation can use their businesses to play a role in funding some aspect of the church’s work. We do it a bit ourselves in our church. We see it as an extension of our giving. We don’t make a fuss about it.

But I would view with alarm any business that used a church project as part of its marketing strategy.

And I see no reason why churches should not make use of any corporate, council or government grant money that may be available for projects, provided it is from an ethical source. 

I don’t believe in accepting grants raised through gambling and don’t buy into the “bad money turned good” argument. Gambling is Satan’s tool, not one that should be exploited by churches no matter how legitimate the cause may be.

 – Duncan Pardon