Church donations question?

Question

I noticed a lot of the times when I see a church that the car the pastor drives ( I know it is the pastor because I see a reserved sign or placard) a nice BMW, Mercedes, or Lexus. Why is this? Iam not saying its like this at all churches, but I thought a pastor would drive something more efficent and not so costly. And how can they afford such luxuries on a modest salary? Is it possible some church leaders are taking advantage of the donations? FYI, iam not a atheist, I just made this observation.

Answer 1

Gee I don't know what to say.. I am a Pastor and I drive a 1990 ford van that I use to take people to church meetings in.. Did I miss it somewhere, where is my BMW...
My other car is a 1985 Chevy pickup that I use for work..
E-mail me and I will tell you where to deliver my BMW, my wife is anxious to see it..

Answer 2

Church donations question?
I noticed a lot of the times when I see a church that the car the pastor drives ( I know it is the pastor because I see a reserved sign or placard) a nice BMW, Mercedes, or Lexus. Why is this? Iam not saying its like this at all churches, but I thought a pastor would drive something more efficent and not so costly. And how can they afford such luxuries on a modest salary? Is it possible some church leaders are taking advantage of the donations? FYI, iam not a atheist, I just made this observation.
You are: Boudreaux Your Answer: Churches, foundations, and services can offer a lot of good. Many go out and feed the poor and really get involved.

BUT many can be a money making racket.

I question it when I see pastors driving flashy cars and I see mega churches spending hundreds of thousands of dollars building fountains, reflection ponds, fancy sound systems, and tennis courts. And I question when they take out ads to make a political statement, and are a non-taxed entity. People pay a lot of money to get touched on the head by some "man of God" so that they can get worked up in a frenzy, wave their hands in the air, and fall onto the floor and have convulsions.

If I were a member of that church I would ask to see the financial books. I would want to know the details, such as salaries and take a look at acounts receivable and accounts payables. I can guarantee you that if any "member" asked to see this they would be told where to go.

It reminds me of Oral Roberts University. And it makes me think of that old Janis Joplin song, "Oh, Lord! Won't ya buy me a Mercedes Benz! My friends all drive Porches, I must make ammends!"

I urge people to help and be generous to those less fortunate. But use your head!

Answer 3

Yes... I see your point and if my pastor was being overtly flashy, I would question it also. We are to always think the highest of everyone and to always give the benefit of the doubt. Rather than there be "discord" among the congregation, it is best if you set a meeting and simply ASK him. There is ALOT in the bible about adornment and pride. Wether the world chooses to see it this way or not, our houses, clothes and cars and MANY other accessories are part of our "fashion" and can be immodest. We are called to adorn a meek and quiet spirit and the ONLY time jewelry or Flamboyant types of dress ( to call attention to ones' self) is in reference to harlots. So do we want to take the chance of being flashy and immodest? I think not... I would HONESTLY seek, through prayer, the source of your discontent. There is NOTHING wrong with being curious about this as long as it is not used to drive a wedge between you and the "man of God". If you are not comfortable or still have questions or just really feel that the Pastor is being prideful, set up a conference. You never know... maybe it was left to him? maybe he is independently wealthy? maybe he REALLY invests well and has no monthly bills and has the extra money?

Be kind and most of all be honest... seek the answer to prayer... most of all find out WHY this bothers you and then work on this issue.....

Answer 4

Churches are sustained by the contributions of the congregation. Some churches are large enough that they can provide a parsonage (house) for the pastor and his family. And some churches can afford to provide their pastor a vehicle. A luxury vehicle can be leased rather inexpensively each month so while the pastor may be driving a nice car, it isn't necessarily because he makes a lot of money. Beyond that, most churches have some kind of board that regulates the church funds so as not to allow someone to take advantage of the congregations financial offerings.

Answer 5

Why do we hold back from judging what certain people do or have but not others? Should not a doctor be putting in just as much time helping and to charities as a pastor? If a pastor drives a nice car, who cares? What kind of person is he? Like everyone else said, you don't know where the money came from, so let it go. I'd hate to have everything I own and do be scrutinized.

Answer 6

Depends on who owns the car. If it belongs to the church, it's probably not a BMW or a Mercedes lol. But remember, the pastor makes a salary, just like the secretary at the front desk and the janitor. How he spends his money is his business, just like how you spend your money is yours.

Also too, some pastors do other things, like write books or articles and such, and they get money from that.

Answer 7

It's a decent observation, too!
While we subscribe to the notion that ministers are deserving of their pay, and should not have to be paupers, we also believe that modesty in all things is called for. Ministers are human, though, and forget, sometimes, that there are people amongst their flock who can ill-afford their utility bill, let alone a Beemer, and all the other bling we see people of new wealth showing off. This show of immodesty has a way of calling the minister's sincerity into question.
We must not judge too quickly, however; sometimes those flashy items are actually gifts from wealthy parishioners; who among is is going to turn in a Mercedes for a Taurus?

Answer 8

Unlike the Catholic church where Priests take a vow of poverty, most other churches are money based. if you want a better pastor you offer more money. My Lutheran friend, who sits on the church board of directors, just went through this hiring process. They sit around and find out how much money they can spend to get a pastor. So if you see them driving luxury cars, they probably come from wealthy churches. And it is completely accepted.

Answer 9

you are verry correct. my father was a pastor for 20 years and he made verry decent money. Enough so that he now owns 5 houses a couple cars and so on. THere not taking advantage there just getting paid for the duty. They dont just work 5 days a week 9 to 5. The work 24 hours a day seven days a week. There always working. classes wedding sunday church tuesday church conseling. There not lazy people


-illie

Answer 10

Maybe some pastor take advatage the situation but not all pastor because i'm a christian since birth and i know a lot of pastor even my two brother is a pastor. If pastor is not committed to God and he only purpose is to have a money or to become rich od knows this and God prepare a punishment for him.

Answer 11

With people involved anything is possible but it the majority of the pastors you are seeing have large churchs then probably not. They probably are actually making a good bit of money. Now if the pastor had a small church then its probably a safe bet that he is either way over his head in debt or dippin his hand in places best left alone.