Church Admin. is out of control

[HereThere or IntheAir]

For many years we have been paying our pastors and staff too much. (based on demographics, size of church, etc). This was discovered by our personnel and finance committee after research when some deacon families left the church over not enough funds being allotted to missions. 75% of our budget is being spent on salaries, benefits, and buildings.

Clearly we need to tighten up and do a better job. This is a difficult process, to say the least. Everything has had no accountability, and no leadership for too long, and now we are suffering. It is heartbreaking and distracting from the great commission.

Now it was discovered our Pastors and staff have been receiving a 2 to 1 match into their 401K accounts. Meaning they put in a dollar, the church matches it with $2. Even part-time workers had a 401K. This is way out of line.
We can't even tell who signed off on this or how long this has been happening, it's been going on for about 20 years!
So my question is: Where can I research church 401K's to see how other churches structure theirs? What is reasonable?

 

[Basil the Great]

Sadly, with all that we have seen in the news lately, I fear that far too many Christian leaders are in it to make money, as much or more than they are to win souls and serve God.

 

[paul1149]

I'm not Baptist, but I think this still applies.

This article has some good general info, links to management software, and a link to what looks like helpful financial church survey info from the evangelical church credit union.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

For many years we have been paying our pastors and staff too much. (based on demographics, size of church, etc). This was discovered by our personnel and finance committee after research when some deacon families left the church over not enough funds being allotted to missions. 75% of our budget is being spent on salaries, benefits, and buildings.

Clearly we need to tighten up and do a better job. This is a difficult process, to say the least. Everything has had no accountability, and no leadership for too long, and now we are suffering. It is heartbreaking and distracting from the great commission.

Now it was discovered our Pastors and staff have been receiving a 2 to 1 match into their 401K accounts. Meaning they put in a dollar, the church matches it with $2. Even part-time workers had a 401K. This is way out of line.
We can't even tell who signed off on this or how long this has been happening, it's been going on for about 20 years!
So my question is: Where can I research church 401K's to see how other churches structure theirs? What is reasonable?

You might be interested in these Christian Forum threads here:

The Pastor King (New)

God's Order in the Church vs Man's Order

 

[HereThere or IntheAir]

Thank you all for the replies.
I am hanging onto this verse:
1Peter2:23 who, when he was reviled, did not revile in return; when he suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges rightly.

I certainly have not suffered as He did, but I can still entrust myself to the one who judges rightly.