“The doors of the historic Black Church, a fortress of healing from social pain, have opened even wider during the economic crisis. But, as church membership increases across the nation, offerings are decreasing, causing even houses of faith to make difficult decisions, pastors say.
“I think the story that has not been told is that the churches across the country have been hard hit,” said Dallas’ Bishop T.D. Jakes in an interview with the NNPA News Service. “The church has no more resources than from the parishioners from which it comes. And so, when the parishioners are in straits, churches are in straits too. And, so it puts us in a bit of a precarious situation.”
Jakes said he has had to take drastic, but practical measures to cut costs at his more than 30,000- member Potter’s House.”
The article goes on talking about how both large and small churches are feeling the pinch in this current economy.
The first question that comes to my mind when I read this article is “How has the money been spent over the years?” I know of churches right now that are paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for buildings that are not only half full, but are only used twice a week. Any study of the early church (as described in the book of Acts) will tell you that large edifices were of little concern to the early Christians.
“All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts…” (Acts 2:44-46)
So what many churches here in America have done is to shackle their members to a huge mortgage they know out the gate they cannot afford. On top of that, many church leaders will tell them that God’s favor on their life is predicated on helping them (the church) make next month’s payment. As for the the personal mortgages and rent payments of members, they are simply told to “trust God”.
Now I completely understand that this economy is hurting a lot of people (Hello? I’m raising my hand here), but I also know that this has caused a lot of us to take a closer look at how we have spent/saved our money in the past. Did we really need to get that third television? Did we really need to get that pool installed? In other words, its self-inspection time for all of us. Why should the church be excluded from this process?
There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking the leaders of your church about how money is being spent. You should also ask them if they are independenly audited. If the answer is “yes”, do your homework and find out if the “independent” auditor is in any other way associated with the church. Find out if he or she are long time friends with church leadership. If so, that could be a clue that something ain’t right.
Most people turn off their discernment in the church when they realize that the ministry is doing some positive things in the community. To that I say, “So did the Mafia”.
The money you give to your local church is money you are dedicating to the Lord. Making sure that it is not being misused in any way is something that the Lord expects.
“All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts…” (Acts 2:44-46)
This has been a strong saying in my church recently, as they have focused more on giving to those in need inside of the church instead of outside of the church. Right now, tithing in our church has increased.
http://unmitigatedword.wordpress.com Andre
“So what many churches here in America have done is to shackle their members to a huge mortgage they know out the gate they cannot afford. On top of that, many church leaders will tell them that God’s favor on their life is predicated on helping them (the church) make next month’s payment. As for the the personal mortgages and rent payments of members, they are simply told to ‘trust God’.”
One of the reasons I called it quits at my former church (besides the obvious reason of me being heathen) was that I was especially critical of my churches spending habits. With a dwindling congregation and a tough economy, the pastor built a $2 million life center and gave himself a raise. What was interesting was that the decision was unopposed by the deacons AND the trustees.
So, when you said, “There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking the leaders of your church about how money is being spent.“, I tried to give you an electronic high-five, while using that same hand to give the congregation a good pimp slap. To most of them, raising questions about expenses and being critical of the pastor’s actions was perceived as a sinful expression of insubordination. Holding the pastor accountable at my church was seen as some kind of attack on one of “God’s shepards.”
Oy vey.
Catch
I must admit that I don’t know what my church does with the money, but I will continue to tithe.
Monica
I didn’t even read the article but one thing that really bugs me about some of the churches I’ve attended is when I see a preacher driving a Benz while his congregants and people in his community are struggling just to put food on the table. There is a pastor in a church I went too that even brags about his personal possessions when he is full aware that the majority of the people attending his church will never have half of what he has. This is wrong. And he always emphasizes how if we give the church money we will be blessed. Hmph. Of course I still go to church regardless because I love God and I want to hear his word but I don’t respect many of the pastors I’ve encountered.
Kevin L Young
The author is under the mistaken impression that attendees are giving large sums of money through tithing. Most pepople who dirve a Benz can afford to pay the note. As a Minister I believe in fiscal accountability. But please don’t be mistaken, we tithed “as unto the Lord.” not to the Lord! Ministry is very exoensive especially if you are doing it right. You have a right to the accounting of your giving. But you do not have a right to view the total giving records of other individuals. If you disapprove of the manner in which your leadership is managing the finances. Then pray for the Lord to direct you to someone who is.
http://www.blackinformant.com Duane
But you do not have a right to view the total giving records of other individuals.
So why do churches retain this information and hire staff based on these records?
And please tell me on what you are basing your opinion.
Who’s opening the offering envelope?
by Duane on June 3rd, 2009 at 5:54 pmNNPA Editor-in-Chief, Hazel Trice Edney writes~
The article goes on talking about how both large and small churches are feeling the pinch in this current economy.
The first question that comes to my mind when I read this article is “How has the money been spent over the years?” I know of churches right now that are paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for buildings that are not only half full, but are only used twice a week. Any study of the early church (as described in the book of Acts) will tell you that large edifices were of little concern to the early Christians.
So what many churches here in America have done is to shackle their members to a huge mortgage they know out the gate they cannot afford. On top of that, many church leaders will tell them that God’s favor on their life is predicated on helping them (the church) make next month’s payment. As for the the personal mortgages and rent payments of members, they are simply told to “trust God”.
Now I completely understand that this economy is hurting a lot of people (Hello? I’m raising my hand here), but I also know that this has caused a lot of us to take a closer look at how we have spent/saved our money in the past. Did we really need to get that third television? Did we really need to get that pool installed? In other words, its self-inspection time for all of us. Why should the church be excluded from this process?
There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking the leaders of your church about how money is being spent. You should also ask them if they are independenly audited. If the answer is “yes”, do your homework and find out if the “independent” auditor is in any other way associated with the church. Find out if he or she are long time friends with church leadership. If so, that could be a clue that something ain’t right.
Most people turn off their discernment in the church when they realize that the ministry is doing some positive things in the community. To that I say, “So did the Mafia”.
The money you give to your local church is money you are dedicating to the Lord. Making sure that it is not being misused in any way is something that the Lord expects.
Check out MinistryWatch.com
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