Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Epley
Firstly I am NOT a cheat NOR a liar and resent that neither am I a hireling that is afraid of my shadow. But to set the record straight the tithe belongs to me that does NOT mean I take them all. I set my salary and pay taxes on that amount and I am set up according to IRS laws. NO church board designates my salary I do that however the trustees do know what I am paid and my living expenses. IF the board sets my salary then I am their employee I am NOT their employee GOD alone is my employer. The Holy Ghost makes overseers in the church NOT some church board. Muzzle NOT the ox Paul said a preacher who salary is set by a church board is muzzled. The ox is free to eat unmuzzled and if he eats too much he pays for it. That is THE BOOK. The levites lived of things of the Temple(the tithing chamber) and levites oversaw it NOT laymen. Most Pentecostal churches have an Eliashibib who is afraid of his shadow for a pastor and Tobiah is dolling out the salary. But A real MAN of God THREW him out and put the levites back in control. Neh. 13 read it and weep! |
I agree that this is the way things ought to be done.
However, you are a jewel among men. Others have taken this same position, and then absconded with everything, leaving the church to collapse in on itself. That is the reason that you have boards setting the pay most places. Congregations of every faith have been burned many times this way.
I have observed several pastors who were technically on the books as hirelings behave as just as boldly as you claim you are free to do. Those shackles are in the mind. If the preacher is true, and the board is out of God's will, the preacher is done a favor, frankly, if he is asked to move on.
Your congregation has come to know, love and
trust you. What will the procedure be with your replacement, when that time comes?