Why are we all bitching and complaining about how much money the church has. You know what Im not saying that all of them are innocent and there are som preachers who are driving a lexes but you shouldnt be stereotyping all of them thats wrong. My church needs a new building because we outgrew the other one and that takes money and how we did that was reach out to the community and that takes money. It takes money to print out flyers and money to throw a carnival and money for the musical equipment and the music that you worship to every morning. your seats take money your church transportation takes money. Spaggetie dinners and social evens take money so before you all deceide to complain about how much extra money the church has think about how they are reaching out to the community. Through programs,events,worship and transportation. I think you are just saying where your heart is. Your heart is in your wallet and abviosly all you care about spending it on is yourself or objects
2007-02-09 04:24:12 · 11 answers · asked by ? 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
No, you are right. I belong to a local Mother's Club and we pay yearly dues to pay for the things that are important to us as a community - a monthly newsletter, holiday events and parties - and the rest of the things we do are put on by volunteers from our group - i.e. organize playgroups, provide meals for new moms, host educational speakers, babysitting co-op. We hold fundraisers to earn extra money so was can do more things (like bake sales, etc.) just like a church.
A church is a community based organization that asks for money only from others in their community - self run, self governed and self funded. There are communities that can afford to have an obviously prosperous minister or who think that the community is only as affluent as it's moral leaders - they are often the ministers driving a lexus or displaying signs of wealth (and there is nothing wrong with that). Other communities are not as prosperous and the minister reflects that aspect of his community, as well.
The problem comes when it seems the minister is much more affluent than the congregation - or the building is falling apart and the minister is eating out at expensive restaurants all the time. That's when there is something wrong like embezzlement or mismanagement of funds.
Frankly, what planted the idea of Church Greed in me was going to Notre Dame Cathedral in France and seeing headstones inside the church that showed the dollar amounts donated to the church and it seemed that it cost money to shine a light onto a painting or to light a candle. I don't know the particulars of that establishment, but it gives a very creepy feeling of money over spirit in church.
You must also consider the overall leaders of the churches. The community supports their own Pastor, but who pays his boss? That boss is not beholden to your community or even IN the community for others to see. It is this fellow who now must juggle multiple churches in order to organize his religion into a business that runs consistently and at a profit. Here is where the spiritual breakdown seems to begin and the greed really seem to come in - from this fellow all the way up to the highest leaders. In these positions it is no longer about the care and feeding of a soul - it is about schedules, employee training, refresher courses, school administration, charity adminstration, health benefits, finacial investing, marketing etc. - just like any other national or global business.
I guess in the end it doesn't really matter - their money comes from their own faithful. It isn't really anybody else's business. If you don't like the way they do their business, don't participate.
Peace!
2007-02-09 04:43:59 · answer #1 · answered by carole 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Rent out halls for services and save money and avoid trouble. The spaghetti dinners are angering the Flying Spaghetti Monster and he will exact a terrible penalty. Donations are not necessary with the FSM. Sin is not a problem unless you blastfeem the Celestial Ragu!
2007-02-09 04:32:26 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Obviously some people think God provides for everything. Last I heard, there isn't a First Bank of Jesus Christ available for loans when the church needs to pay the electric bill.
But, you know we are set apart from them. Let them moan and complain about their lives, yet do nothing to change it. When they realize they need Help, they will come. Or they will die at the end of a long, miserable life. It's their choice.
Blessings
ps You might want to watch your language...the fifth word of your question is a bit harsh for a church backer ;)
2007-02-09 04:33:06 · answer #3 · answered by Silverwolf 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yeah, one of our local Bishops drives a nice car, runs over a pedestrian, and the taxpayers had to spend a bundle prosecuting him for hit and run. The Bishop only had to do community service. That's what he should have been doing instead of running down pedestrians.
2007-02-09 04:28:45 · answer #4 · answered by Devil in Details 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why shouldn't a preacher drive a Lexes Preachers do their job and deserve as much or more than a person who isn't doing as good a job. A preacher is as worthy of his pay as anyone else.
2007-02-09 04:27:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Pffffft!
2007-02-09 04:27:13 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Thats right! Preach on! You can't outgive God. Don't believe me try it.
2007-02-09 04:28:16 · answer #7 · answered by Gummy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm a follower of Jesus Christ, and I find your ranting and raving unbecoming. Do you really think it will persuade anyone to consider your side?
2007-02-09 04:27:13 · answer #8 · answered by happygirl 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Why do you need money to pray?
2007-02-09 04:27:38 · answer #9 · answered by ? 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Mind your own bussines,
2007-02-09 04:26:56 · answer #10 · answered by Jerdy 5 · 0⤊ 4⤋