How do we know Church uses the money correctly?

[Jesus_is_Saint]

Every Sunday most Churches collect money from the congregation. But, how do we know Church uses the money correctly?
Many churches do not publish its financial report.
Some questions here:
1. We do not know how much money is in the church's account.
2. What is the monthly expenses of church.
3. What does the church plan to do with the money?

 

[All4Christ]

Every Sunday most Churches collect money from the congregation. But, how do we know Church uses the money correctly?
Many churches do not publish its financial report.
Some questions here:
1. We do not know how much money is in the church's account.
2. What is the monthly expenses of church.
3. What does the church plan to do with the money?

Our parish publishes a financial report which we review at an annual parish meeting. We vote on the proposed financial budget each year. Perhaps you could suggest that? Each year, we vote in a parish council with someone appointed to handle the finances (not the pastor). It works out pretty well.

 

[jovanovic]

there is alot of news about churches and priests who just use money for their own personal need. this is why i never give money to priests or churches. i just give money to the poor, beggers and to organisations such as red gross.

 

[Humble me Lord]

Our church has a quarterly meeting, they go over all finances for the quarter, and anyone can attend.

 

[Radagast]

Our parish publishes a financial report which we review at an annual parish meeting. We vote on the proposed financial budget each year. Perhaps you could suggest that? Each year, we vote in a parish council with someone appointed to handle the finances (not the pastor).

Most reputable churches do something like that.

 

[All4Christ]

This isn’t my church’s report, but this is an example. Like Radagast said - it is pretty standard to do this. Your church may even have this now if you ask.

http://gslc-cu.org/assets/pdf/annualreport.pdf

 

[Radagast]

there is alot of news about churches and priests who just use money for their own personal need

So give money to churches and charities that are accountable and transparent.

this is why i never give money to priests or churches. i just give money to the poor, beggers and to organisations such as red gross.

You trust the Red Cross but not churches?

 

[jovanovic]

So give money to churches and charities that are accountable and transparent.



You trust the Red Cross but not churches?

when was the red cross involved in a money scandal?

 

[Radagast]

Like Radagast said - it is pretty standard to do this.

It's pretty standard in denominations that have been around for a long time. That's because people have learned the hard way that problems arise if you are not accountable and transparent regarding money.

Sadly, there are some Christian groups where all the money seems to go into the pastor's personal account; such groups should be avoided.

Similarly, the best missionaries to support are the ones working with an accountable and transparent mission organisation.

 

[Radagast]

when was the red cross involved in a money scandal?

On a quick Google search: 2016, 2017, 2017 again, and of course the big Red Cross Ebola scandal

Charity Navigator rates American Red Cross as only 3 out of 4 stars on their rating scale whereas, for example, Christian Blind Mission is 4 out of 4.

 

[Jesus_is_Saint]

Is it sinful or fall short of the glory of God if I do not give money to church? Because I do not know how the management uses the money.
Never read a financial report at all.

 

[R. Hartono]

How big is your church ? 10000 people ?

 

[R. Hartono]

I guess the pastor needs money too to buy food and shelter.
Unless he lives at the church and people supply him with food stuff.

 

[PloverWing]

Our parish publishes a financial report which we review at an annual parish meeting. We vote on the proposed financial budget each year. Perhaps you could suggest that? Each year, we vote in a parish council with someone appointed to handle the finances (not the pastor). It works out pretty well.

My parish follows a very similar system. It's all very transparent.

 

[Jesus_is_Saint]

my church 1000 people

 

[Radagast]

I guess the pastor needs money too to buy food and shelter.

A common arrangement is to have a committee of church members who control the bank accounts, and they pay the pastor every week or month.

 

[Radagast]

my church 1000 people

A church that large should have some kind of accountable and transparent system for handling money.

 

[Radagast]

Is it sinful or fall short of the glory of God if I do not give money to church?

Well, there is a biblical obligation to support the work of the Church.

 

[Aino]

I think it's biblical to support your church. And if you simply use common sense, a church will not have a building and a pastor will not have food and a home and a means of transport unless the congregation funds it. If some money is left over from that, the church can decide whether they want to support a mission or a charity, upgrade their buildings, hire more people or pay some more money to the people they have. And a multitude of other options. If your church doesn't give financial details online doesn't mean they're not open about them. Go and ask for a report, chances are they'll give it to you or someone will tell you about the church's finances.

 

[Mountainmanbob]

Every Sunday most Churches collect money from the congregation. But, how do we know Church uses the money correctly?
Many churches do not publish its financial report.
Some questions here:
1. We do not know how much money is in the church's account.
2. What is the monthly expenses of church.
3. What does the church plan to do with the money?

A lot of good oversight and accountability. I don't concern myself too much with it, I figure they are held to a higher accounting.

M-Bob
No secrets in our church regarding the monies collected.