Date - July 16/61

Contributor - Henry T. Rozendaal

Title - Does The Bazaar Have A Place In The Church?

Topic -

The question that is asked above is, no doubt, one that has arisen in the minds of various churches. It may even be one that approaches the controversial. There are those in the Reformed Church who are very strongly opposed to the bazaar in the church, and there are others who would as strongly plead for it. As I think of it, there come to my mind three bases upon which one would be inclined to answer either in the affirmative ,or the negative.

I should first suggest that. At depends on the purpose with which it is to be held. There are two reasons for which the bazaar is often held in the churches: To raise money, and to bring the people together socially. If the Bazaar is to. be held solely for purpose of raising money, it seems to me that it should never be encouraged in the church. Here it touches the whole matter of Christian stewardship. The Bible method of stewardship is, as I see it, giving with a joyful and free spirit. Sometimes it was true too that the Godfearing in Old Testament times were assessed or asked to give a certain amount for the maintenance of the services (Ex. 30 :13, 15; Neh. 10 :32). I do not know that the Bible teaches that assessments of money were ever made on the basis of the wealth or possessions a person might have. But it was true that a difference was made in the value of an offering that a poor or wealthier person was required to bring under certain circumstances (Lev. 5::7, 11; 12 : 8).

When the bazaar becomes the method of giving it takes away from the giver the true appreciation of the object for which a gift is sought. Then, if he's a careful buyer, he'll judge the value of the object purchased. He'll buy for value and the gift will be forgotten. Then, too, the object purchased will mean more to him than the purpose for which the money is to be used. You see, his interest and devotion are not augmented. The church, or its work, is treated like something impersonal, that makes little difference to him. If he does give more for an object than it's worth, because "it's for a good cause" ' he is still not taking his calling as a Christian steward seriously. He's not determining carefully what can be done with the money he's giving in a certain field of the Lord's work.

If the bazaar is to be given as social affair, I think, it enjoys a certain merit. It is true that the social relations of the congregation do need to be cultivated. And it is true, too, that this is one method in which it can be done. It is good for people to get together and meet one another on a sort of every-day and equal basis. This was also encouraged in Old Testament times in the congregation, though in another way. The feasts of Passover and Tabernacles and other feasts, for example, were great assemblies where people were encouraged to rejoice. And there is reason to believe that the early Christian church had social get togethers. At these feasts the people were encouraged to be glad. And, I suppose, it was true that they involved a great deal of business and preparation and cost.

At these feasts, on occasion, the people were exhorted to give expression to their good will and gladness by giving and sharing.

The second question that would effect our answer is: "Where will it be held?" If a church is so situated that the bazaar must be held in the sanctuary, and no other place is available, I think it ought to be discouraged. The sanctuary, ideally, is a place of worship exclusively. If a social affair is to be put on by the church, it is highly desirable that another place be found. A milling crowd and the hubbub of those talking one louder than the other in order to be heard, is not conducive to the cultivation of reverence for the house of God, the place of worship. Children running to and fro, and loudly chiding and rebuking mothers, or, should the bazaar include an auction, the hawking and bidding of such an event do not fit in the church. Here, it seems to me, the rebuke of Jesus when He cleansed the temple is applicable.

If the bazaar is to be held in a public place, it may have a tendency to lose its congregational character. Of course, it is not wrong for the congregation to meet other folk, it may even be encouraged that a church meet with other Christian folk of the other churches, or that not Christians should be introduced to the church. But there might be a distinct loss in having it at such a place.

If there is to be a bazaar, perhaps the place for it is in the church hall or social room. There, as a social affair, I do not think the Lord's rebuke at the cleansing of the temple would apply. And there it would have a vital connection with the fellowship that is to be sought in the church. There, too, it would be much easier to introduce and use things that would be edifying to the spiritual life of the church.

The third question that would enter in answering our leading question is: "What is to be its content?" If the bazaar is to become a sort of carnival at which people are expected to become a little indifferent to good manners and customs, it probably ought to be discouraged. If one is expected at a bazaar to forget that he is a Christian, and all practices to be found at any worldly affair are to be adopted, let us not have it. Everyone who has felt the Reformed Church pulse over a number of years knows that she has repeatedly discouraged gambling devices, bingos and raffles in the churches. If a ladies' aid wants to sell goods they have made and realize something for the cause on the side, I suppose we should not object; but if there is danger that the practice of Christian stewardship will be violated or stunted by it the church is likely to be the loser in the end.

Let the Christian never forget the bigger and better because of the minor things that are brought in the church, with an original good purpose, which can, and sometimes do become a hindrance in the end.