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Renting a Church? Church Expenses, Just downright Sinful

So why are churches so expensive? Where's the ministry in that? If a church is held of a body of believers that have one goal, to have a relationship with Jesus Christ, and fellowship not only with one another but those who don't know Christ, why are they charging up a storm to use their facilities? Did God not give the building to them to use? Their church is not their own. I honestly am disappointed at a little hurt by how much churches charge not only members but non-members to use their church. The average rates are from 1,000 to 2,000 dollars, and that's only the ceremony! Ridiculous, if people are informed that this contribution was going to a good cause, lets say charity, to help mission work, to help stop human trafficking, then I would be more than willing to consider this rate, but STILL!
This has actually given me this vision to even make my own church, chapel that would be open to people of FAITH, only because there's no point of two people getting married biblically through the teachings and foundation of Christ if they don't even believe or practice it themselves. I would hold a required Pre-Marital Counselling session, and the couple would be able to give donation to a minsitry I would choose to support! The money then would go towards the building itself to keep it running, and for the ministry chosen. I understand not all people get married every day, so there are other ideas I could come up with to use the facility. This is me ranting because I refuse to pay more than 500 dollars to rent a church!!

Re: Renting a Church? Church Expenses, Just downright Sinful

  • Churches need to pay utilities, maintenance, cleaning staff, administrative staff and various ministers, who have their own families to support. You'll find that out when you start your own church.
    If you belong to a church and are having financial difficulties, talk to your minister. He/she may be able to negotiate a little.
                       
  • I undertstand both sides of the situation... on one hand, you have where you're comming from, and then you have the thing where a church also has bills to pay.  If the church was just built, then it may have a big "mortgage", some have "staff" some have to pay for those ministries that go out...Then of course there's the whol electric, heating and what not.  So I understand why the're charging, I just can't understand why SO MUCH!  Cool
  • Churches have overhead expenses too.  If there's no income, there's no pretty church for you to be married in.  Additionally, I think many members get discounts for having their wedding at their home church.  Expensive fees may keep non-members from taking dates from members.  
  • bbyckesbbyckes member
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    edited March 2010
    Did God not give the building to them to use?

    No, God did not give them the building to use.  How would this go about happening anyway?

    I just read the remainder of your rant and find your argument and your proposed church - ridiculous.

    Don't get married in a church if you refuse to pay their fee.  It's as simple as that.
  • The church isn't yours either.  It may be God's home but there are still bills to pay.

    I'll agree that charging an outrageous rate is not appropriate.

    However expecting things to be free is a rather outrageous belief in itself.  You're USING the building.  And even though it's reprehensible to feel that you get poetic license to do what you desire in that building once you pay the fee, it makes zero sense to believe that you're entitled to the use of that building for free - particularly if you're actually having the big dress, flowers, reception and honeymoon to boot.

    However if there IS a financial hardship, a parish should work with you so that you are able to marry.  With that hardship also means sacrificing other portions of your wedding though.
  • I think some of these people have been a little hard on you, but I  do see both sides. The church does have bills and plus it costs them money in manhours, cleaning services, and elecrticity to have you there with all of your things. At the same time though, $2000 is ridiculous. But the truth of the matter is they ARE christians and if you do have financial difficulty, chances are they will help you. But if you're just an inbetween person financially, talk to them anyways. People are more likely to help yuou out with the costs if you ask. The worst they will say is that they cant do it... Or maybe it's a good idea to just find somewhere else to get married. My FI and I are getting married in the gardens of the same place that we're having the reception and it's not costing anything extra to rent the area. I really do hope you find a sollution that works for you. :o)
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_renting-church-church-expenses-just-downright-sinful?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:f6445638-3a87-4438-8d7f-5a92aca74893Post:f7dc3b05-a4e8-4b25-8132-9dcd2bbeddd1">Renting a Church? Church Expenses, Just downright Sinful</a>:
    [QUOTE] Did God not give the building to them to use? 
    Posted by liaikekids[/QUOTE]

    <div>HAHAHAHA!</div><div>
    </div><div>No.  They bought the building.  And they pay for lights, water, heat, cleaning, etc.  </div><div>
    </div><div>A church is not a free public building for you to just use.  If you belonged to the church, they would be willing to work with you.  But you are not a charity, and the church's parishioners will not and should not spend their tithe and donations so that you can have a low cost wedding.</div>
  • Wow.  Churches usually aren't that expensive for their parishoners.  You know, the people who attend every week, make donations, and are active members of the community.  The fee is usually higher for non-members, but that's both because those people haven't offset their costs the way members have, and to prevent people from just coming in and using the church as a pretty backdrop.

    If the church was that important to you, you'd be there every week.  There are plenty of other venues to hold a ceremony.
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  • It's the same thing for any other place you would like to hold your ceremony.  Want to hold it in a garden, most in my area charge a fee.  Want to hold it in a hotel, you're charged a fee.  It may hurt a little more because it's a church, but the fact is, it's a building that has fees and maintenance of it's own.  They're not trying to scam you...but you're probably going to using their facilities for at least 3 hours, and therefore will need heating/AC during that time as well as electricity.  You have to pay in order to use their stuff.  This does not make them bad Christians, it makes them good stewards of their facilities.
  • It's greedy to expect something for nothing, and that's one of the seven deadly sins.  So I think you're out-sinning the church anyway.
  • Heels said it perfectly.  OP, you're overreacting and it's absurd to assume that these churches don't have faith because they are charging.  Good luck starting your own church, let us know how that works out.
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  • I think its a little strange her first post is a rant about church prices?

    Everyone else is right, the church is NOT free, nor does the utility companies give them free services. The church pays bills just like everyone else.

    Don't want to pay the church fee? Then find somewhere else to get married.
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  • Hats off to Heels for that.

    God does not pay a church's mortgage or it's utilities.
  • $2000 is not average, so maybe reconsider the church you use.  Most churches are usually about $1000 for non-members. (including the organist, coordinator, rehearsal time, etc). 

    I think thats pretty fair.  Unless the priest is driving a BMW and the holy water is from and iceberg in Fiji, I doubt they are ripping people off.
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  • And different locations can call for different costs.  The expenses to run a church in Newport, RI will most likely be more than the cost to run a church in rural CT.
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_renting-church-church-expenses-just-downright-sinful?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:14Discussion:f6445638-3a87-4438-8d7f-5a92aca74893Post:0ca0110c-29a0-47bb-b01e-70bf4bcc6c37">Re: Renting a Church? Church Expenses, Just downright Sinful</a>:
    [QUOTE]And different locations can call for different costs.  The expenses to run a church in Newport, RI will most likely be more than the cost to run a church in rural CT.
    Posted by banana468[/QUOTE]

    Not sure where you are Banana, but it's at least $1k on the shoreline in CT.  Crazy, right?
  • I was shocked that  our church is going to cost $850 as members.  The fee does include paying the organist and altar flowers (since they keep them to use on Sunday) as well as a few other things.  Frankly, I'd rather that money go to Church rather than some hotel or banquet hall because I have an idea of how the money will be used. 

    PS Thanks, heels!  That was really informative
  • edited March 2010

    I imagine you might be looking at the wrong church.  I know some places in my neck of the woods charge a lot becasue they are historic, beautiful, etc. especially for non-members.  A friend of mine who is a member at one explained to me that the cost of maintaining an older building like that can be astronomical.  There is also a high demand for weddings, and charging more helps members have a little priority.

    OP, rather than open your own church, maybe you should visit a few others in your area and talk to them about your situation.  Maybe they can cut back on some of what would normally be offered (ie no organist) to reduce both of your costs.  Of course, you can always get married somewhere else ...

  • In New Orleans, which is highly Catholic, $2000 is pretty much the norm for the historic churches and the Catherdral. The operating costs on this church alone are astronomical, as well as the fees for janitorial, coordinator and musical staff.

    Another thing to think of is, if you are a non-parishioner, you haven't helped support that patronage through either you attendance or financial support, and the priest perfoming your ceremony is takng time out of his schedule to marry you. While he is a man of God, it is not mandatory for him to marry strangers all the live-long day.

    The church isn't pocketing that money just to overcharge you, but instead is charging you to avoid the extra costs to their expenses.
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