Confidentiality of Tithes

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

I don't care if they post in USA tiday what they give. But I promise you saints are much more secretive about what they give then the Pastors about what they get.
Many of our tithing envelopes are nameless I don't care.

Really. I don't think so. Why would anyone care in either group?

Pretty much any public - type office has a publicly listed salary. All our city and county offices and most of the blue collar job salaries are public knowledge.

[Jason B]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

Have y'all considered Pastors' job is 7-24? All hours of the night and day I am at the beck and call of the saints. EVERY activity I have is scheduled around them. My family comes second. Birthdays, anniversaries, vacations are cancelled at whim because of the need or 'imagined need' of a saint. My supper time is not off limits or family time. I am not complaining but if I could take complaining saints with me for one month they would shut their mouths forever(maybe). In one day I have been to as many as 4 hospitals hours apart, counseled 2 young couple with maritial problem, encouraged a discouraged saint, done church business, and yes tried to get in a prayer session and study time to feed the saints. Supper was cold, wife was a little annoyed and I was worn out, put myself to bed only to be awakened in the dead of night to pray for someone with a bad cold. That is more normal than not. Again that is my calling so I am NOT complaining but most church members do not have s clue. I would like to be able to make some go with me just a month I wonder if they would last an entire week I doubt it. Most guys and gals have 8 hour shifts and go home and enjoy their families.
When you guys go to the Doctor do you demand to see his earnings?

You could swim the ocean to make one convert it wouldn't give you the authority to teach tithing. The conversation isn't about givng or supporting your pastor/local church, we are pretty much all on the same page there. I'm not arguing against ministerial support.

[Jason B]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

PREACH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ain't that the truth.

I would like to also add my thanks to Brother Epley fielding all of these questions. If one were to pop in it would seem that everyone is jumping on him but the truth is... he's the one willing to field the questions and so we take the opportunity to ask.

So... thanks for that Brother Epley.

Bro. Epley is one of the few who will actually answer those opposite of his positions (even when its not a real answer).

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by AtlantaBishop

For the ministers/Pastors who cannot or will not say it, I am sorry. I am sorry for you being mistreated and used up. It is horrible and I wept as I read your post. When I was in the Ultra Con movement, I was rough on people and have had to go to those I pastored and apologize. I hate what you had to go through and think probably most of us have suffered some spiritual abuse at the hands of total control freaks. Again, I totally understand the way you do about the house church thing, especially going through what you went through. I think some preachers need to be tied to a whipping post and given a few lashes and told they can never preach again. People and Preachers can be cruel and heartless. I am sorry for your hurt and your pain.

Thank you bro. We rarely
hear apologies. Nevertheless, I believe the next step for those of us who have been hurt is to forgive.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Jason Badejo

Bro. Epley is one of the few who will actually answer those opposite of his positions (even when its not a real answer).

LOL... Yeah it is often not a "real" answer but I have a feeling that those times are just Epley being Epley.

[Jason B]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Thank you bro. We rarely
hear apologies. Nevertheless, I believe the next step for those of us who have been hurt is to forgive.

So true. This is the essence of real Christianity.

[Steve Epley]

Aquilla my heart goes out to you and any like you.
I am worn out twas at the hospital nearly 12 hours yesterday. Yes there were saints there praying BUT I am the young ladies shepherd and shepherd tends to his flock, truly just the under-shepherd but I think the chief-shepherd would expect me to be there.
I pastor wonderful caring saints that pray and visit and are compassionate and concerned BUT I am the Pastor and a pastor too busy for a member when they need him is too busy he might need to try another profession. Jesus said " I was sick and you visited me not" if I am to be the example to the flock which I am commanded to be then how could I do less.
AB makes valid points no one knows unless they have done it and it does get tiring after years of sacrificing your time-energy-family when you do get a little better off where you can breath a little folks look at you like you are a money loving fat cat. AB and myself comes from different backgrounds but out different roots in the Pentecostal movement had one basic common denomimator which was a preacher's life was to be a life of sacrifice and service. God first and everything else second. I will admit I was wrong in much of it neglecting my good wife however she was from a preacher's home which was taught the same. I teach preachers today do not ignore your families.
Good people like Aquilla who have loved God and His work are dedicated to a fault and lose those most precious to them. I teach fervently for saints to give time to their families and I am very careful not to overextent any church responsibilities to rob them from their family.

[Titus2woman]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

Aquilla my heart goes out to you and any like you.
I am worn out twas at the hospital nearly 12 hours yesterday. Yes there were saints there praying BUT I am the young ladies shepherd and shepherd tends to his flock, truly just the under-shepherd but I think the chief-shepherd would expect me to be there.
I pastor wonderful caring saints that pray and visit and are compassionate and concerned BUT I am the Pastor and a pastor too busy for a member when they need him is too busy he might need to try another profession. Jesus said " I was sick and you visited me not" if I am to be the example to the flock which I am commanded to be then how could I do less.
AB makes valid points no one knows unless they have done it and it does get tiring after years of sacrificing your time-energy-family when you do get a little better off where you can breath a little folks look at you like you are a money loving fat cat. AB and myself comes from different backgrounds but out different roots in the Pentecostal movement had one basic common denomimator which was a preacher's life was to be a life of sacrifice and service. God first and everything else second. I will admit I was wrong in much of it neglecting my good wife however she was from a preacher's home which was taught the same. I teach preachers today do not ignore your families.
Good people like Aquilla who have loved God and His work are dedicated to a fault and lose those most precious to them. I teach fervently for saints to give time to their families and I am very careful not to overextent any church responsibilities to rob them from their family.

Bless you brother Epley. May the Lord allow you some rest and family time today.

[Steve Epley]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

Bless you brother Epley. May the Lord allow you some rest and family time today.

No rest for the weary church is having a household shower for a young couple BUT we will only make an appearance, then back by the hospital to check on the mother and baby and taking my sweetheart out for supper. I came home at midnight my wife went back up and stayed all night with the mother so the family could rest. She is resting now.

[ThePastorsCoach]

Lord have mercy Pastor Epley...You should be dusting off some of your Alligator and Crocodile shoes and polishing up some gold and diamond jewelry while you are counting money like me! I am wrapping these stacks of $100 bills in foil and putting them in the freezer. Just got finished with a great meeting at the Charismatic Cathedral of Compassion! I gave out Green Prayer Cloths for Prosperity and they went over well - I got $112 for each one and they stood in line for over and hour to get them!
Counting the money but ain't gonna let the bank get but a little of it! About to fly to Vegas for a few nights of uh...Prosperity!