Confidentiality of Tithes

[Titus2woman]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

YOU are wasting it now supporting false doctrine and sending yourself and your family to hell.

So Steve are you stating that all Baptists are going to hell?

[Sweet Pea]

Originally Posted by Sweet Pea

There is no secret at our business meetings. All contributions are listed:

Tithes
General Offering
Missions
Misc Special Offerings

Then the expenses from each group is listed.

Originally Posted by shag

UPCI?

Yes it is UPCI - and I want to clarify something. Individual contribution information is not given to anyone other than the Pastor.

The pastor draws a salary just like the associate pastors and secretaries. The pastor's salary is agreed upon by the pastor and the trustee board. The associate pastor salaries are set by the pastor.

All the salaries, bills (utilities, mortgage, insurance, etc. etc) are paid from the tithes and general offerings. All special offerings are in a designated fund to be used for that designation. However, the church by-laws state something to the effect that the church administration reserves the right to redirect designated funds if necessary. This is also stated on the contribution envelopes. (I don't have an envelope here and can't remember the exact verbiage.) It would be a good idea for all churches to have something similar in their by-laws and printed on the contribution envelopes.

All this information is freely given at the business meetings and it is announced that all the books will be open for review for 30 days after the business meeting. (The individual salaries are not listed - just the total for "salaries.") I have no idea if anyone has ever asked to review the books - although I do doubt that individual salary information would be given out.

The church income and expenses are audited each year by an outside CPA that has no connection to the church.

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

So Steve are you stating that all Baptists are going to hell?

He has stated that anyone with facial hair in his church is going to hell.

What do you think?

[AreYouReady?]

Sweet Pea is fortunate to be able to attend a church so open about their finances. I had a pastor once who, when asked where the tithes go, told that man it was none of his business.

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by AreYouReady?

Sweet Pea is fortunate to be able to attend a church so open about their finances. I had a pastor once who, when asked where the tithes go, told that man it was none of his business.

Probably followed by a story of someone who DID question where the tithes went, and then died!

[AreYouReady?]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

He has stated that anyone with facial hair in his church is going to hell.

What do you think?

I like my husband's facial hair. He keeps it trimmed and neat. It makes him look...well... manly!

[Titus2woman]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

He has stated that anyone with facial hair in his church is going to hell.

What do you think?

I think he should not have a church.

My husband is from a huge generational Baptist family with lots of preachers. Many godly folks who love the Lord with all their hearts, minds, souls and strength. Amazing that someone could just toss them into hell (which I am sure bro. Stevie-pie believes is eternal torment) just to be an abrasive smarty pants on an internet board.

[AreYouReady?]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

Probably followed by a story of someone who DID question where the tithes went, and then died!

Yeah...probably did. They probably know where he is spending eternity too.

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by AreYouReady?

I like my husband's facial hair. He keeps it trimmed and neat. It makes him look...well... manly!

Only soft skinned men (and I use the term "men" loosely -other wise they would be a threat to the pastor) from Eply's church go to heaven.

Sorry Steven, but your threatened by real men.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Sweet Pea

Yes it is UPCI - and I want to clarify something. Individual contribution information is not given to anyone other than the Pastor.

The pastor draws a salary just like the associate pastors and secretaries. The pastor's salary is agreed upon by the pastor and the trustee board. The associate pastor salaries are set by the pastor.

All the salaries, bills (utilities, mortgage, insurance, etc. etc) are paid from the tithes and general offerings. All special offerings are in a designated fund to be used for that designation. However, the church by-laws state something to the effect that the church administration reserves the right to redirect designated funds if necessary. This is also stated on the contribution envelopes. (I don't have an envelope here and can't remember the exact verbiage.) It would be a good idea for all churches to have something similar in their by-laws and printed on the contribution envelopes.

All this information is freely given at the business meetings and it is announced that all the books will be open for review for 30 days after the business meeting. (The individual salaries are not listed - just the total for "salaries.") I have no idea if anyone has ever asked to review the books - although I do doubt that individual salary information would be given out.

The church income and expenses are audited each year by an outside CPA that has no connection to the church.

That setup sounds good to me.