What Type of Toilet Paper Does Your Church Use?

What Type of Toilet Paper Does Your Church Use?

            Have you ever thought about what type of toilet paper your church uses?  Is it the nice soft kind that you can blow your nose comfortably in if there are no tissues around, or does it feel like the strongest grade of industrial sand paper that can be bought?  What is the deciding factor in how the toilet paper is purchased?  What type do you have in your own home?  These are interesting, and some will say, unimportant and even stupid questions, but I would argue that the type of toilet paper used in many, and maybe most, local congregations and denominational headquarters and agencies/boards often will show where our priorities lie.  I will admit up front that a) all I have is my own observations to support my conclusions, and b) some people may be uncomfortable with the subject of toilet paper.

            My experience is that most churches use either the cheapest or close to the cheapest brand of toilet paper they can find.  If they use a janitorial or office supply company they may be using the generic office brand the supply company sells-either the individual rolls or the big commercial rolls that go into dispensers.  If it is a local church custodian buying the supplies it is often what is on sale.  It is very seldom a name brand such as Charmin, Northern, or Angel Soft.  The reason given on why the cheaper version is purchased is usually we have to be good stewards of our money, and most people won’t really notice the difference.  A few more reasons are that the name brand is too expensive or the supply company only carries one type.

            I will agree with the statement we need to be good stewards.  However, being a good steward does not always equate to buying the cheapest.  What does it say to visitors and guests when we have scratchy TP?  Do we really care what they think about our bathrooms?  Imagine if instead of scratchy TP a congregation would offer extra soft ______.  What would people think?  While it probably would not be a deciding factor in a person’s choice of a congregation it could play a factor in the overall experience. 

            I think a deeper reason for buying cheaper or cheapest toilet paper is it can show where our priorities lie.  Instead of paying a few dollars more a case of good toilet paper it is decided to buy the cheaper one just because it is cheaper.  It will save the congregation a few dollars and often the congregation will say they need to all of the money they can get in the bank.  Instead of seeing it as an act of hospitality to both guests and members it becomes a money saving option.  The money saved goes into the general fund or a savings account and not into a ministry of some sort.  It is a part of the survival mode so many congregations are in and instead of looking outward in ministry they are looking inward hoping to survive.  Instead of spending money on ministry to those in need, the priority becomes keeping the door open for the members.

            There are other examples we could look at besides toilet paper-tissues; snacks with the type of juice, crackers, and other food we get; paper plates-you know the really cheap paper ones or the Chinette; fillers for ditty bags for small children during worship; and other items.  Why are we willing to get second best in the church, but will say that the cheap stuff is good enough for the congregation?  What does that say to others who may not know anything about church or even Jesus?

Here are some questions to ask yourself about priorities and hospitality:

1.  What type of toilet paper do you use at home? 

2.  Why is it ok to use something cheaper at church than at home?

     a.  We talk about the local congregations being a part of God’s house, should we not provide the best we can afford for the Lord, and if we do not what does that say to the community outside of the congregation about where our priorities lie?

3.  Are we more concerned about saving a few dollars than we are about showing hospitality to guests?

4.  What are the priorities of your local congregation, your conference/synod/diocese headquarters, or denomination’s?  Note-this can be different from what your stated mission is.   Do they buy things that say their priorities are different from their mission?

5.  What does your church’s toilet paper say about your congregation?

Blessings,

Pastor Dave