TELL ME what to think?

Question

I have been a volunteer at a ministy for quite some time now. I work 3 days a week 4 hours each day for free, I clean the sanctuary, work with the homeless and help lower income familys with out side resources. Today, I was at work working in the childrens closet organizing clothes and putting away donations, I came across 3 nice pairs of boy pants that a friend of mine could very much use for her little boy, her husband recently died and is struggling, I was going to put the clothes in my car when I was stopped by a regular paid employer who asked did i get permission to take these items
I told her well I didnt think I need to do that because when i first started the minister told me i was welcomed to take things, whatever to that anyway I said I will go ask, the minister who said I could was not there so I had asked the finacial adviser, not expecting a problem, well I was wrong, she stated no one was allowed to take there donations I was shocked

I NEVER WOULD STEAL FROM A CHURCH! the minister who had previously gave me permission was not there

Answer 1

Wow! I had a hard time with your question. First, I gagged on that "tell me what to think" line. Do you really want to be told what to think? I had to suppress a lot of my own atheist prejudices to get past that one!

If your needy friend had come to the sanctuary alone and asked for the pants, I assume they would have been freely given, without requiring the minister's permission. Who would have made that decision, the paid employee? ...the same employee who imagines only he/she is qualified to determine what is charity and what is stealing? Obviously, church membership and 12 hours a week has bought you no respect at the sanctuary. You are being treated as an unpaid low-level employee, not as a respected member/volunteer. I'd find something a lot more rewarding to do with my time.

Answer 2

I'm sure if you speak to the minister, you will see it really isn't a problem.

There are some people in churches that think they are doing good, when in reality they give the church a bad name.

I would have to question the employee and the finacial adviser of where their heart is.

Answer 3

What is there to think about? You got told to not take anything by the Financial Adviser. Who holds more clout - that person or the minister??

Id suggest that you listen to who is present, then take it up later with the minister if you feel he outranks the Advisor. Of course, is this really necessary for three pairs of pants? Im an atheist - if your freind is that desperate for children clothes I will send her three pairs of pants. Not worth stealing or upseting people over....

Answer 4

As long as you had the minister's permission, then there truly was no wrong being done.

Mention it to him and let him sort out the issue so you are not branded unreasonably.

And, next time, let him know before you take anything - if you decide to help anyone out.

Answer 5

Just think that the administration of the ministry wants to handle things in a different way.

I can understand that they need to maintain a good supply of clothes for their own needs. It's a tough world out there for a non-profit. While your cause was a good one, they have to have some supplies for the organization.

In addition, a tax exempt organization must comply with certain rules. For one, the organization's capital must not go to personal gain. The admins have no way of ensuring that you would give those pants to your needy friend. They need to follow certain procedures to maintain tax exempt status, and yours is an example of a safety measure on their part.

Answer 6

I'd wait until the minister returns and ask him about it. I think I'd also ask him to let those two people know that he had given you permission. I don't see what their problem was if there are clothes there that are to be given away to those who need them.

Answer 7

That shouldn't be. Obviously your a good person. And you only took those pants because you wanted to help someone.
Why didn't you call the minister, and have him talk to the person that had stopped you?

Answer 8

I think the people who told you it was wrong have a self righteous attitude that only they can deem who is worthy of their 'treasures'

they forget that what is received in a ministry like that is NOT theirs. It is God, and God has put on your heart that your friend needs these things. I would contact the pastor as soon as you can and inform him of the restrictive people in the church who are allowing their own ideas to stop what God is putting on your heart. their attitude is so common these days in some churches..... that a few people have the right to choose what God is saying or doing thru other people

Answer 9

Technically, you're right you were given permission, but to yur demise, there was no one to confirm that.
Technically, the donations were given to the church, without the minister's ok, they would still belong to the church. Lucky that you got permission. It'll be ok. Just wait for the minister, or have someone call him!

Answer 10

Sounds like the financial advisor is just doing her job. Don't get all hurt by it. Just explain to the pastor what had happened, and I'm sure if you tell him the reason you wanted to take the pants, he would not mind at all. And don't let something small like this discourage your services at church. People like you are what makes the church so strong.