Is it profitable to own a church?

Question

My grandmother started one in the 1940's but she apparently puts all the profit back into the church considering she depends on social security so much now. I'm sure the church would help her if she needed it though.

Is owning a church a good way to make money?

Answer 1

For many it is.
I would think that for the many independant churches with very charasmatic preachers, the salaries that they pay themselves is probably pretty good.
I heard that one of the preachers of a 'mega-church' in my area, has himself set up in a very large home in a private gated community on the beach.
Amazing, considering, many in his 'flock' are living on the edge of homelessness. But, hey, some people are sheep who are willingly 'fleeced'.
Another Church near my home, provides the 'reverend' with a home and a cadillac. Yet the parishoners, look to be quite poor.
On the other end of the spectrum, the church I go to, has no paid clergy, and all of the grounds and building maintenance are done by the congregation. The only thing that is required in the way of donations, is to cover the utility bills.

Answer 2

Does the president own the white house? Does the president pass all the bills? What is it in regards to a veto? Your grandmother may have started a church put the people do not even own it. Is there any profit in a church? So I guess you are just guessing...right. A church would help you if you needed it though? Now you say is owning a church good for making money? The question you should ask is what is a church? What responsiblity does the church have regarding money and the care of its followers? 1 Corinthians 2:9 Eye have not seen nor ear heard the things that God has prepared for them that love him. Prayer makes things happen.Luke 18. We should always pray and not faint!

Answer 3

While there were and undoubtedly still are some clergy who live modestly, it seems that most ministers now get much larger salaries and churches have big staffs. There is a lot of expense for salaries, health insurance and other benefits. When an organization has a lot of expenses, that makes it easy to avoid having a profit, so the lack of profit for the church does not mean that someone is not profiting greatly from the church.
Sometimes the church provides services to its members, like youth services which entertain the children or services for its older parishioners. I think it is much rarer that a church uses its resources to go work among the poor who are not members.

Answer 4

Yes, it can be. Just like with any other business, you must keep good books.

There is a Georgia National Guard officer, who has NEVER been to Iraq, who is also triple dipping because he is a council man in a small town in Tattnall County (we won't name any names)... He draws salary for being a vice principal; he draws salary for being a town council man; he draws his Guard salary for doing G-d knows what in the rear while men and women die and lose their limbs, or serve at great risk overseas.

His neighbourhood has the worst crime problem. His town refuses to pay the police or dispatchers adequate salaries; no wonder there is so very much corruption in Hellville. Word is that anonymous callers have threatened police, state, and federal agents who have dared to try to investigate the rampant crack cocaine and marijuana problem.

And yes, we've got plenty of churches who draw money from the poor and the rich alike. What the churches accomplish with all that money for the most part seems to be to get their ministers big houses and fancy SUVs. Meanwhile, they often begrudge the poor their little bit of low quality high carb, high fat food.

And we have homeless, but don't ask the churches-- the problem for them is the homosexuals, the Liberals, and the Yankees-- oops, is the War of Northern Oppression over yet? Or is it time to declare war on the Latin American slaves, er, ah, "illegal aliens."

G-d bless us all. Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition. Yeeehawwww!

Answer 5

Some people make a point of building a church that will make money. Should it be that way? No, no, a thousand times no. Give to Caesar what is Caesars and to God what is Gods. Some use a church to make money and some people use the church to get money. Money is not the primary purpose of the church or of God. You can see people on TV all the time preaching and making money.

Answer 6

My grandfather, three uncles, one aunt, my father-in-law, and my wife's uncle were all preachers. Not a single one of them subsisted above the poverty level for the United States. All of them drove beat-up, borrowed cars, all of them lived in small, one or two bedroom houses, and all of them ordered water on the rare occasions when they went out to eat.

Of the three Churches that I attend now: the first runs a congregation of about 250. The priest cannot afford health insurance, cannot keep his two kids in private school, and cannot afford to eat at a restaurant unless someone else buys. All of the donations made by the Church go for building expenses, charities, or orphanages in Eastern Europe. The priest at the second is transitory. The congregation can't afford their own priest, so another priest from about 150 miles away drives in on Sundays. The priest at the third Church is actually a monk, and lives with four other monks at the Chancellery (a three bedroom house in the suburbs).

Answer 7

who says churches are non profit????????
I live in the a town that has the richest church in the state and one of the richest in the united states and that non profit crap does not float! This church owns multiple real estate locations,6 tour buses,a full size gym with an olympic size swimming pool,a congeregation hall that seats 8,000 people over a course of three sermons so that would roughly be 2,666 seats and you say it is non profit???

Answer 8

Financially, things like TBN...absolutely. Money made hand over fist. On the other hand....I would hate to have to explain that on judgement day.

I've never understood $900 custom made suits, big diamond rings, a dozen cars and three mansions to go with your helicopter when there are people needing shelter, food, and learning about Christ. Whats the deal there?

Answer 9

Churches are not in it for the money (not supposed to be anyway)
They are to be considered non profit

Answer 10

No churches are more for those who want to spread or get together with those of the same religion, not very profitable, actually will put a huge hole in your pocket.

Answer 11

That would be a completely immoral way to make money. Churches are supposed to be non-profit organizations. But I suppose if you have no moral values, ethics, or a conscience then maybe it would be.