Confused About

Blessedfaith · Mar 12, 2007

Hi everyone.

I have a question.

Do you feel that a Church should practice what it preaches?

My Church for 10 years have recently ran into financial problems. As a result, they had to "eleminate" our Assocoiate Pastor's position. Our Assosciate Pastor was kind of the last link between our Church and our youth. This Church has been for the last 3 years or so been steering away from youth more and more due to the lack of funds. We were going to try to get through it anyway until A Church meeting took place.

In this meeting I asked the Senior Deacon how they tithe the money that we tithe? They preach to us to tithe off the top and let God worry about the rest. Come to find out, the Church pays it's bills first and worries about tithing to the World Missions last. I asked how they can teach us one thing and turn around and do the opposite? We have been tithing a lot better than we use to and God has CERTAINLY taken care of us financially. Not saying we're rich, just providing when we need it.

They said that "they had to give up on faith because it just wasn't working". Verbatim.

My question is this. How can anyone go to a Church that they know isn't going to be blessed if they themselves aren't doing anything by God's will? Can this Church still be blessed if they continue to run things this way?

Or am I totally overreacting, all Churches operate this way?

Thanks guys!

psalm511013 · Mar 12, 2007

It is incredulous to me that a church would say "we had to give up on faith." That's the worst testimony I can imagine, particularly for a church. Having said that, I must agree that it is critical that the church pay its bills and be accountable to the community in order to provide a good witness for Christ. There is a fine line between walking by faith and merely giving lip service to stewardship while recklessly spending God's money.

Church members should never be asked to do something the church doesn't do as well. If people are asked to be good stewards of their time, talent, and treasure, the church should do likewise by managing its money in an exemplary fashion.

If church finances are not managed in a business-like and open manner, or if the financial facts are not regularly reported to the congregation, people might assume the church has plenty of money or their money is being wasted, or they might simply use the lack of information as an excuse not to give more.

This means the finances of a congregation should be maintained and published to address these and other issues of trust. If the members are not given reasons to trust the leadership, perhaps it is right that the church is not entrusted with more.

JimfromOhio · Mar 12, 2007

Blessedfaith said:
Hi everyone.

I have a question.

Do you feel that a Church should practice what it preaches?

My Church for 10 years have recently ran into financial problems. As a result, they had to "eleminate" our Assocoiate Pastor's position. Our Assosciate Pastor was kind of the last link between our Church and our youth. This Church has been for the last 3 years or so been steering away from youth more and more due to the lack of funds. We were going to try to get through it anyway until A Church meeting took place.

In this meeting I asked the Senior Deacon how they tithe the money that we tithe? They preach to us to tithe off the top and let God worry about the rest. Come to find out, the Church pays it's bills first and worries about tithing to the World Missions last. I asked how they can teach us one thing and turn around and do the opposite? We have been tithing a lot better than we use to and God has CERTAINLY taken care of us financially. Not saying we're rich, just providing when we need it.

They said that "they had to give up on faith because it just wasn't working". Verbatim.

My question is this. How can anyone go to a Church that they know isn't going to be blessed if they themselves aren't doing anything by God's will? Can this Church still be blessed if they continue to run things this way?

Or am I totally overreacting, all Churches operate this way?

Thanks guys!

What was the last time your Church financial records were audited? How the money is being brought in and how the money is being spent. Do they fall under the Bible's criteria rather than human's criteria? People are confused when setting up a budget and how to steward funds when they don't know what God is expecting them to do it. Churches are to set up good financial ethics and have their financial records audited. The bible clearly teaches that every church are to be healthy in every aspect of their activities such as their spiritual health, financial health, ministry health, and other church-related ministries health. The over-all package. In 2 Corinthians 7:2 says that we "make room for others in our hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one." This is where "accountability" comes in. Financial quality is measured by the Christ-like living of those who submits and give to their local church because they love Jesus Christ spiritually.

Spiritual Leaders are to "share" rather than witholding financial information unless it is very confidential on spiritual matters.

forjesus · Mar 12, 2007

If this church has given up on faith then I would find another church or get some new leaders.

DeaconDean · Mar 13, 2007

JimfromOhio said:
What was the last time your Church financial records were audited? How the money is being brought in and how the money is being spent. Do they fall under the Bible's criteria rather than human's criteria? People are confused when setting up a budget and how to steward funds when they don't know what God is expecting them to do it. Churches are to set up good financial ethics and have their financial records audited. The bible clearly teaches that every church are to be healthy in every aspect of their activities such as their spiritual health, financial health, ministry health, and other church-related ministries health. The over-all package. In 2 Corinthians 7:2 says that we "make room for others in our hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one." This is where "accountability" comes in. Financial quality is measured by the Christ-like living of those who submits and give to their local church because they love Jesus Christ spiritually.

Spiritual Leaders are to "share" rather than witholding financial information unless it is very confidential on spiritual matters.

I agree, where is the Audit committee?

forjesus said:
If this church has given up on faith then I would find another church or get some new leaders.

I agree here too. If this is the attitude they are showing, its time to look for another church.

God Bless

Till all are one.

Easystreet · Mar 13, 2007

Blessedfaith said:
Hi everyone.

I have a question.

Do you feel that a Church should practice what it preaches?

My Church for 10 years have recently ran into financial problems. As a result, they had to "eleminate" our Assocoiate Pastor's position. Our Assosciate Pastor was kind of the last link between our Church and our youth. This Church has been for the last 3 years or so been steering away from youth more and more due to the lack of funds. We were going to try to get through it anyway until A Church meeting took place.

In this meeting I asked the Senior Deacon how they tithe the money that we tithe? They preach to us to tithe off the top and let God worry about the rest. Come to find out, the Church pays it's bills first and worries about tithing to the World Missions last. I asked how they can teach us one thing and turn around and do the opposite? We have been tithing a lot better than we use to and God has CERTAINLY taken care of us financially. Not saying we're rich, just providing when we need it.

They said that "they had to give up on faith because it just wasn't working". Verbatim.

My question is this. How can anyone go to a Church that they know isn't going to be blessed if they themselves aren't doing anything by God's will? Can this Church still be blessed if they continue to run things this way?

Or am I totally overreacting, all Churches operate this way?

Thanks guys!

No I think you have a very sound position.

Pepperoni · Mar 14, 2007

Blessedfaith said:
They said that "they had to give up on faith because it just wasn't working". Verbatim.

I'm wondering if we go to the same church.

My pastor said something similar a while back. We do faith promise every year in the fall, where we pledge a certain amount of money to support missions. It's basically (in my opinion) based on the assumption that you pledge beyond what you can afford, and then God will provide.

This would be fine except for the fact that my church does not appear to operate in this manner. Pastor said, during church, that a missionary had inquired about support and Pastor had told him that he couldn't promise anything because he didn't know what the pledges would be. I'm thinking "isn't this what you're asking us to do?" None of us knows for sure what lies ahead as far as jobs/income, yet we're told to pledge on faith. But the church somehow can't do that? What am I missing?

Joykins · Mar 14, 2007

Our church has separate funds for missions and for the general fund (the paying the bills fund). We also have a benevolent fund for local charities and members who have hit hard times. You designate what portion of your offering goes to which fund.

IronWill · Mar 14, 2007

Sounds like a very serious problem, IMHO.

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Blessedfaith

Guest

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psalm511013

I am crucified in Christ, and I no longer live ...

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JimfromOhio

Life of Trials :)

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forjesus

Humble Servant

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DeaconDean

γέγονα χαλκὸς, κύμβαλον ἀλαλάζον

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Easystreet

Well-Known Member

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Pepperoni

(clever saying goes here)

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Joykins

free Crazy Liz!

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IronWill

Reformed Godfather

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