Confidentiality of Tithes

[Titus2woman]

Originally Posted by AtlantaBishop

Y'all keep this up and I will anoint myself as the Pentecostal POPE and rule over all of you!

Sorry AB my last preacher beat you to it!

[Jay]

Good night!! I wish to be the Overseer of the finances, Second Highest Authority, Primary Assistant General Overseer, etc., etc. Would that be possible? I promise to treat them with the very best of care.

[Jay]

In all seriousness, I am not a pastor, nor do I ever aspire to be one (many reasons for that). I do support strongly the concepts of pastoral authority. I am convinced that the tithes go to the Pastor, and I am not going to question what he does with them. I do not question the salary/pay of my bosses, and I do not feel a need to do that with the Pastor. If he makes more than I do, the may God bless him. If not, then may God bless him double because he is really going to need it.

I was raised that the pastor does not live above the congregation, but I am not opposed to pastors owning and having nice/expensive things. And I know of too many times that people scream about the pastor buying themselves or their families anything. I understand that there are occasional abuses by a few in the ministry, but I have seen more abuses of the ministry by saints.

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by Jay

In all seriousness, I am not a pastor, nor do I ever aspire to be one (many reasons for that). I do support strongly the concepts of pastoral authority. I am convinced that the tithes go to the Pastor, and I am not going to question what he does with them. I do not question the salary/pay of my bosses, and I do not feel a need to do that with the Pastor. If he makes more than I do, the may God bless him. If not, then may God bless him double because he is really going to need it.

I was raised that the pastor does not live above the congregation, but I am not opposed to pastors owning and having nice/expensive things. And I know of too many times that people scream about the pastor buying themselves or their families anything. I understand that there are occasional abuses by a few in the ministry, but I have seen more abuses of the ministry by saints.

A few things in no particular order.

I don't think someone needs to be taught to not live above the congregation but a wise pastor won't. Just look at the "Occupy" crowd to see what blatant jealousy breeds in people. A smart person will not encourage what is already a natural human tendency. Having said that I also agree that pastors should be allowed to have "nice things". This goes right along with my life long philosophy of never hating the rich, because I always wanted to be one someday. Granted one could make the case that pastors are different from most others in that they get their fund in the form of gifts from others......

I do disagree completely with the concept that "all tithes is the pastors" but then again I also hold pastoral authority in a much lower light than you do overall. Money (and to a SLIGHTLY lesser degree, sex or the abuse thereof) is truly the root of all evil so taking all accountability away from anyone, especially in this area is one of the worst things a congregation could do.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

A few things in no particular order.

I don't think someone needs to be taught to not live above the congregation but a wise pastor won't. Just look at the "Occupy" crowd to see what blatant jealousy breeds in people. A smart person will not encourage what is already a natural human tendency. Having said that I also agree that pastors should be allowed to have "nice things". This goes right along with my life long philosophy of never hating the rich, because I always wanted to be one someday. Granted one could make the case that pastors are different from most others in that they get their fund in the form of gifts from others......

I do disagree completely with the concept that "all tithes is the pastors" but then again I also hold pastoral authority in a much lower light than you do overall. Money (and to a SLIGHTLY lesser degree, sex or the abuse thereof) is truly the root of all evil so taking all accountability away from anyone, especially in this area is one of the worst things a congregation could do.

I think a case can be made that all "tithes" belong to the widows...

BTW - money and sex are not evil - actually, they can and should be "holy".

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

I think a case can be made that all "tithes" belong to the widows...

BTW - money and sex are not evil - actually, they can and should be "holy".

Oh, I know there not. But the the love of both is the two biggest reasons evil is done.

[NorCal]

I have attended a UPC and WPF church. Both had business meetings and disclosed all information about Tithes, Offering, and Expenditures. Private contributions are kept just hat though, private and confidential.

In both churches, the pastors took a "salary". Both are humble men that do not have a desire for the corruptible things of this world. Growing up, the pastor I had, had the same "work truck" for 15 years.

However, I have seen denominal churches go bankrupt because they could not properly run the finances of the church.

[ThePastorsCoach]

Originally Posted by NorCal

I have attended a UPC and WPF church. Both had business meetings and disclosed all information about Tithes, Offering, and Expenditures. Private contributions are kept just hat though, private and confidential.

In both churches, the pastors took a "salary". Both are humble men that do not have a desire for the corruptible things of this world. Growing up, the pastor I had, had the same "work truck" for 15 years.

However, I have seen denominal churches go bankrupt because they could not properly run the finances of the church.

Denominal That is SO FUNNY!

[Jason B]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

No wonder you are passionate about financial contributions. That's pretty radical!

Actually it doesn't bother me,never has. I wasn't raised in church so I never knew that churches actually had business meetings.

[Steve Epley]

Most folks who fuss about tithes don't even pay tithes. That has been my experience.