I Bet Jesus Ain’t Pleased with this Church’s $70,000 Gift Offering
My girl Dash Harris posted a picture on her Facebook account and I had to blog about it. Because it’s so ridiculous.
SECURITY!!! There are just so many things wrong here.
The pastor is turning 70 so the only way they deemed appropriate to celebrate his life is by giving him $70,000??? Not even $700. Or $7,000. But SEVENTY STACKS! GOOD GAWD! That is A LOT of money. Because, you know, a vacation is just not enough. They gotta show this man of God (O_O) that he is loved by giving him a gift that is more than most people’s annual salary.
And then, the HUGE “cash only please.” So yall don’t want paper trail of these donations, or as they call it “gifts of love.” To make sure they’re really clear, this won’t be tax deductible. iSweaterGAWD these people are bold as ever.
But the other part that slays me is the fact that they want people to pay $25 a month. Yall are putting folk on an installment plan? You are NOT QVC or Home Shopping Network. You are a church! I’m unable.
The devil is a LAH and Jesus ain’t pleased that they’re invoking His name for some personal fundraiser like this. He ain’t. They’re quoting the book of Matthew because they know some gullible Christians will fall for that nonsense. That ain’t e’em Godly and I rebuke them in the name of Meshack, Shadrack and that Billy Goat.
Who even came up with the idea, and who are the fools who cosigned it? And the Pastor supports this, I’m sure. Ain’t no way this happened without his go ahead. Where is the IRS? They better collect what they’re owed by Passa and his Disciples of Dishonesty. Shoo…
I woulda gotten that piece of paper and realized that this church home might not be for me afterall. I’d pick up my good Bible and start searching for a replacement the next Sunday. Because these bammas here… NAWL! I bet this is the type of church that posts the names of those who haven’t tithed in the past month. Just greedy. They all need to have a seat in the pews and re-assess their lives.
Saints and Aints, if this happened at your church, what would you do?
P.S. Also, I’m in the wrong field. This church business hustle is NICE. And terrible.
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116 Comments
I need all these members to have a seat and tuck their purses away!
i know it sounds outlandish, but i can guarantee u if he’s been working in “ministry” for say, 50 yrs, he’s spent well over $70,000 of “his” money doing so…many pastors get NO MONEY for funerals, weddings, retreats, conferences, etc..they sometimes get a free meal, lodging, and maybe a youth day t-shirt…idc, idc, idc..
So let me get this straight…
You are saying that because he put in his own money over the year they have to reinburse him for doing the work of God?
That does not make sense.
The Chewbacca Defense.
Look it up, lol.
Nevermind the fact that he is asking for with no legal documentation.
I honestly think this is shady.
…and if they don’t get any money for doing those things then why do they charge money for them?
Where is all of that money going?
Tithes, offerings, and all of the other funds they ask for while having some of the nicest cars and clothes…
It really doesn’t make sense.
giving to a pastor is up to the person that gives not the pastor or anyone else you have the right to say yes or no let every man give as he decides in his own heart thats the word pastors have to be careful that there not being greedy and saints should not forget about the other ministers of that church the bible says give to those that minister the word not just the pastor people forget about that please bless the other minister to they are valuble to its your choice
I would have to leave that church. I think that the church should be able to buy their Pastor an appropriate birthday gift, without collecting another offering.
I am actually more worried about the fact that they can’t buy a gift without a special offering. I mean what are they doing with the tithes and offerings they get every Sunday?
Jesus be a balance sheet!
Tithes and offerings are normally used to pay the bills of the church, pay muscians and staff, and fund various ministries so that they will be able to do whatever outreach/community/youth activities they have planned. Now… that said, ain’t no telling what ppl actually do with that money. I find it disgusting that the church can’t or won’t be good stewards over money. This “birthday fund” ain’t nothing new. My former church bought the pastor a Mercedes and sent he and his wife to Jamaica for his anniversary.
…10 minutes after reading it, I’m still giggling at “Jesus be a balance sheet!”
Lol at balance sheet Thx for this one
Lol at Jesus be a balance sheer Thx for that one
I would not pass Go, I would not give them my monies. I don’t have the time.
Since I’m ignant as hell, after they passed these flyers out, I’da put my church finger up, politely said “Alla you country ass niggas outta order for this mess right here! Ain’t no way I’m funding Passa’s Maybach budget or First Lady’s Louboutin budget. Just cause you gotta fifty-leven outside kids, don’t mean I gotta feed ’em. Sir, you are rude! The devil is a LAH and he lives in you. Fuck you and good day!”
Praise the Lord saints! (I know I’m goin’ ta hell)
Pass me NOT, oh gentle savior! LMBOOOO
I almost got fired for laughing extremely loud during the staff meeting after reading this comment!
Wrong on so many levels, I’m sure the pastor has been well compensated for the many years of service. I would have left that church many years ago, greed makes me sick, even in the church. You made the point best, give the man $70,000, an amount most of the congregation doesn’t make? Someone should have sent a copy of that envelope to the IRS.
Sad thing is that I bet you the members did contribute to the foolishness and that “pastor” got his 70 stacks…(in addition to the whatever was shared and pocketed by the fundraising committee.
All the proof you need that people have turned into sheeple is the Eddie long case, where his congregation still stood by him after all his nonsense came out and didn’t they crown him king or some BS like that?
Note to self, start a church ASAP! I’m rich, b***h!
This happened annually t my church and we did give him an amount that matched his age. Why? He earned it. Many lives were changed and improved (people bought homes, put children through school, started businesses, the list goes on) because of his guidance,leadership and yes, expertise. He also happened to be have a Ph.d.
CEOs of large corporations receive bonuses and we complain but don’t hang them out to dry they way we do the black preacher. Pastoring a church is a HARD, stressful job. People don’t think so because they don’t know what happens behind the scenes. People can barely handle their twitter feeds, try handling a large church of 500+ people, many trying to either think of ways to “help” you do your job or complain about how you’re doing it.
I don’t know about the cash only part, but I do know you often have to give a guidelines, because many people want to give, but do not know how to manage their finances and will put themselves in a hole trying to do it all at once.
No one is forced to give anything. If they feel their Pastor deserves it, then he should receive it. The Black Church is the one consistent institution in our communities doing good works daily. It would be great if we wouldn’t mock it because of the few that are a tragedy.
The “black church” is in shambles. Period. Many of them are positioned in communites where they do nothing to advance the spiritual, mental, and emotional well being of the ppl that live in said communities. I thought the church was the backbone of the community. What you say happens at your individual church is not being echoed among the church as a whole. Everyone is too involved with self and most have a capitalist attitude. This is not the church that Jesus built and when He returns I pray that we’ll have gotten it together
Point taken. However most people are ignorant of how good churches run since I see many comments about chicken dinners. This is 2013, no 1913. I’m sad for those that were deeply wounded in churches and sad for those churches who see it as a means of ‘getting over’.
As a former Baptist minister’s daughter I must say the Black Church angers me. I watched my father get raked over the coals for trying to be practical and not do ridiculous things like writing birthday checks for $70K that could be used to help the community. The Black Church led to my parents and myself leaving the Baptist religion because of trifling actions such as this. Teachers also save and touch lives and do not receive huge cash bonuses like this for all their hard work. Also as a soon to be Certified Public Accountant, the cash only part? No.
Exactly my thoughts.
“The Black Church is the one consistent institution in our communities doing good works daily.” Said no one, EVER!!!!
*joke of the day*
*daps*
TRUTH!!!!
*Falls to the ground*
I concur with GoldeGoddess. While there are a number of “crooked” preachers who care more about the almighty dollar than being obedient to the Almighty, you don’t know this minister – nor do you know how much he normally is paid. I believe the church’s main priority is to spread the Gospel, feed the poor, heal the sick, etc… However, he’s 70, past the age of the standard “retirement”, and the age the Bible considers to be a full life. $70,000 is not really a lot of money for someone to retire on, especially if they live much longer. And even if he doesn’t retire and wants to enjoy life with the money (assuming he is an honorable man) – I think this is a great thank you gift to honor him for his years of service.
All in all, while this post is funny (as usual) – I think it’s a bit judgmental. But Whatevs…
Feel free to attack me now… Lol
Sooooo the “cash only” part is ok? The part that basically screams “we want you all to do this w/ no record that you do this” is aight? Ok den.
Did they say that? No…that’s your assumption. A good one; an accurate one, but an assumption nonetheless. I didn’t know it was illegal to request cash…? No one complains about hair salons or beauty supply stores who do this, so why is a ministry wrong for doing this? I grew up in a church that was legalistic and had a controlling Pastor; yet, I still choose my words wisely when speaking about churches/ministries I know nothing of, because we reap what we sow.
Still love ya, but still disagree with your judgemental tone by labeling all people “fools” who want to bless a 70-YEAR OLD (not a youngin’) “Passa” who could be a legit good, man of God. He’s been around longer than many of these fly-by-night new-aged preachers who deserve this post. But for an elderly minister who has survived God knows what, I disagree. *shrugs*
Um… I am pretty sure that since they didn’t want receipts they are making sure no record on what the money is actually used for will EVER exist in life. And that seems EXTRA shady to me, cause now the pastor is cheating the tax man too and even my heathen self remembers Give unto Caesars’ what is Caesars’ or something like that, lol. Any deposit/gift etc. over $10,000 has to be reported to the IRS, trust me on this one. And since churches don’t pay taxes and are protected by non-profit tax status, you kinda need receipts so that they don’t lose their non-profit status. That’s kind of the point of receipts. That is also why drug dealers don’t issue receipts, to avoid compliance with the law. Insert Whitney Houston joke about receipts/drugs here, lol.
Unless your congregation contains two members-Bill Gates and Oprah, something is wrong with you to think that this is okay. And they didn’t say it was for his retirement or a life saving brain operation, this is explicitly a “love gift” for his birthday. So what will they get him next year, a month long trip to Dubai? a Rolls Royce? This prosperity gospel aka Cash for Salvation is simply the devil. This obsession with wealth and status is why the black church has LOST all of its creditability as a force for good. There are at least 10 black churches in my town, none of them do anything for the poor, the homeless or any non-members for that matter. It’s a fashion show and a place to meet your next ex-boyfriend/husband and hear some good music if the choir is any good.
Legit hair salons still have to record the funds received for services and pay taxes on those funds. Churches schools and hospitals don’t pay as much in taxes as commercial entities like stores and salons.(correct me if i’m wrong on that)
The church would have to record that money as income or call it a gift to the pastor. In the first scenario it must be used WITHIN THE CHURCH to be exempt from the usual taxes. If it’s a gift to the pastor HE HAS TO REPORT IT ON HIS TAXES and pay a percentage to the good ol’ IRS. If it’s given in cash and he spreads out deposits enough it would be like it never happened.
Remember when Oprah gave out cars and he recipients still had to pay 7G’s for them? That’s because Oprah called them GIFTS on HER TAXES to avoid paying that herself. The people received something of monetary value over $500 (i think that’s the limit)so they have to pay for it.
The members may not be fools but they are giving the appearance of money deception.
Ms Wits: Just the fact that they are soliciting cash donations, not issuing receipts (thus allowing taxable donation deductions) smacks of impropriety. If the pastor is the recipient of such a large cash transaction and does not report it, he also could be charged with some type of complicit money laundering. Whenever the sign says cash only and you get no receipt..I would think twice.
It’s not that the pastor should get it but they were wrong as hell for this….
Meant to say shouldn’t…d’oh
All that those were people received were because of God and God alone. Pastors are messengers and they will have to answer for making the temple a place of business. Matthew 21:12-13.
WOOORD!!
” “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”- Matthew 22:21
This “off the records” gift is in direct contradiction to what Jesus himself said.
While CEO’s do get huge bonuses, the Pastor is not supposed to be in his job for the money, regardless of how hard his job is. What happened to the vow of poverty? A real pastor would have asked for a $70,000 donation to a charity of his choice in his name. CEO’s are the devil, so comparing them to men of the cloth is a moot point.
Thank you! I just posted a comment to that effect and then saw yours, mine is a little more verbose but same point
While I do think that this is shady for various reasons, I just wanted to make sure you understand that there is no such requirement in the Bible called or similar as a “vow of poverty” for Christian pastors. In fact, the Bible states that they are worth double honor in regards to pay.
Did you actually compare CEO’s to pastors?? when did the 2 get into the same bracket, a CEO works in a profit business, being a pastor, to my knowledge is supposed to be a calling to do God’s work, irrespective of how grande your achievements, THROUGH THE WORD OF GOD(coz ain’t no way you about to convince black folk to do shit without it coming through the Lord).
There is not supposed to be any form of financial reimbursement from the church folk outside of your salary and whatever other blessing might have come your way.
$70,000 is a lot of bread ma! bread that could be used to feed the hungry and clothe the poor, and this here is going to the pastors pocket???
Nah!
A good pastor who has truly changed lives does not need to send his disciples out to ask for cash. Furthermore, its gods word that is making they changes, not the pastor, who is just the mouthpiece. He gets a salary, that’s enuf. If individual members want to give him something, fine, but soliciting money for the pastor is tacky, tasteless and greedy
Someone at that church should have pulled sista secretary to the side and told her she was out of line. I cannot tolerate this type of behavior within the church. Ppl wanna outdo other congregations so they can brag about what they did. Smh. What’s wrong with a sensible and affordable gift. Ppl have no couth….
If this was my church, wait….this wouldn’t be my church. I can understand wanting to give your pastor a nice gift for his birthday, but $70K?!? Do any of the members make that annually? And non-deductible….SHADY!!!
I’d be interested to know the average amount of money the church collects in tithes because that would play a considerable role…
I’m much more of an Ain’t than a saint so I can’t help wondering: is it considered ethical and normal for a pastor to accept such a large gift? I teach at a small state college and my department chair feels awkward if we get her, like, a $30 Barnes & Noble gift card. Every organizational culture is different but in that pastor’s position I hope I’d have the strength to grit my teeth, say “thank you,” and put that $70K straight into the missions fund or something.
I am going to get thoroughly dragged for this. I don’t think this is that bad. I have seen Pastors get waaaaaaaay, I mean waaaaaaaaaaaay more for their anniversary or birthdays.
I can tell you my dad is a pastor and he hasn’t made that much in 2 years. My mother has always worked and made more than my dad.
I think they way it is presented is worse than what they are trying to do. If a Pastor is supposed to be the watchman for your soul is $300(25 times 12) over 12 months really that bad? They weren’t asking one person to give it all.
Um no, there isn’t a fee for salvation and the only person I trust to watch my soul is Jesus because men are fallible i.e. Eddie Long and Creflo Dollar. The Catholics tried that with indulgences and although its very convenient to make you pay a fee for each sin like if I kill someone and just give the church cash then I’m instantly forgiven, that’s SO not what Jesus was about. I get you have love for your pastor and he’s old and all that but there is a certain thing as crossing the line and this does that.
And if you want to get technical, the very concept of tithing is in the OLD testament and not the new, but I am not trying to get dragged into a theological argument today. And the verse says FREELY given, not a monthly installment plan, lol! The ONLY thing that they could have done is maybe put a donation box at the back of the church with a sign that says we WANT to give the pastor $70,000 for his birthday, please give what you want. MAYBE that would work, lol!
The pastor is to give an account to God on your behalf, grown or not. This wasn’t about tithes. How is giving, as a grown person, even in installments, not freely giving? It was merely a suggestion.
If you truly wanna be theological, the New Testament concept is each person giving all, living,eating, and working as one unit, kinda like a commune.
What happened to flowers and a plaque? I’d be gone and outta that church quick. They should take up that money and create some damb scholarships and send some children to college or university. Chupse.
Lol. I haven’t seen a church give out plaque in forever seems like!!! I’m old school so a plaque is right up my alley. Lol. I’m not against blessing passa (pastor) with a monetary gift, but I believe it should be done in good taste – something that’s lacking in todays church.
Okay?! My cousin retired from the pulpit last year due to health reasons. After 25 years of faithful service…they gave him a plaque, a card and dying roses.
Just wrong…on EVERY level!! 70 stacks huh…yeah, you’ll get that AFTER I win the lottery…that I don’t play. I’m beyond disgusted by this! -_-
$70,000 egh?? Sad. Truly Sad. I cannot THINK of a valid reason why a preacher or anybody would need that kind of money. I don’t care if its a huge mega church…its an embarrassment. Period.
Best believe some of those church members are scraping to chuck up the funds.
So glad I’m away from such foolishness. *WoOoo SAaaah!*
YESSSSS…THAT’S THE WHOLE POINT…I guarantee there will be people HURTING trying to ensure Pastor gets his $70k. Gas bills wont be paid, Lights will be turned off, food will be left unpurchased. But that’s cool? It’s ok to ask your older or poorer members to chuck out $25 a month or more? Y’all better have a potluck dinner and let the choir show out for free.
On that note, there are a few churches in Va who require (not request, REQUIRE) that you turn in your tax forms to make sure you have been giving your full 10% in tithes. I rebuke this and Jesus is not pleased.
Crazy thing is I think that this kind of thing is common in churches. There is a church in Fayetteville, NC that has over 5000 members, and they wanted the members to give $175 dollars each to the pastor. Please do the math. I know of another church in Charleston, SC where the members got the minister a 90,000 Mercedes, when they can’t pay the mortgage on the church, and he can’t pay the mortgage on his house. People are out here frontin’ in the name of the Lord.
The church you are talking about in Fayetteville is Lewis Chapel! SMH
Yeah no.
This is why ppl don’t go to church and why churchfolk can’t have nice things!!! SMH tryna make a come up in Jesus Name. Not me said the cat all they would get is an eternal side eye and a good look at my back as I high tail it outta there and never come back.
This church and their elders need to get behind thee like Satan cause they certainly don’t belong to God.
Jesus be a deliverance
This is a Hot Ass mess from the pits of hell. I hate greed in the church. But I moreso hate when “pastors” “trustees” etc. take a scripture and construe it all out of context for their own gain. I think this is worse because I know most congregants will believe whatever is tossed to them without reading it for themselves. First off, the scripture was telling the Disciples to give. Not the other way around, as this church has used it. Secondly, had they taken that scripture further it said: “9 “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— 10 no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep” Basically, Jesus was telling his disciples not to take anything for the work they do in His name. So, if Jesus Himself told the DISCIPLES not to take anything extra, why do these “pastors” feel they can?
I like the part that says if they all contribute they should “more than reach their goal”… ie they are gonna give the pastor $700 and divide the rest of it up amongst themselves
This right here is why I don’t believe in church smfh
Allison that’s $875,000! Shiiiiiiid!!!
I WISH a mothfucka WOULD! sjkjjghtsjskjkahd. That’s how I feel about it
Why did this same thing just happen to me yesterday at church? There was a tithe/offering envelope, a seed for financial increase envelope, and an envelope for funds for Pastor’s birthday with his face on it! I was like WTH?!! o_O
As my daddy would say when confronted with foolishness like this, “Jesus wept.”
Now my daddy would’ve also said, “Get the f*ck outta here…,” had someone come to him with this nonsense, but I think Jesus had cleaner language, so….
I agree with Elise. As me and my friends would say “Do not mix my Jesus up in your nonsense.”
I think the modern church has gotten so far away from the Church that Christ left, its ridiculous. Jesus is the Shepherd of the Believer’s Soul. Not the pastor. Not the deacon. Not the trustees. Jesus is. And all He owned when he ministered were the clothes on his back. This trend of “Prosperity Gospel” has been running rampant for the past couple of decades, and its sickening. Did people forget about what God and Jesus taught about the love of money, greed and the Kingdom of Heaven?
Tithes and offerings are supposed to pay for the ministry of the church. Period. That money goes to the works of the Body. Am I saying that true pastors should be paupers? Never. But the amount and the way in which it is being solicited is definitely specious. The bible says to PRAY for your church leaders. Pray. Without ceasing. Never does it say give a monetary gift to show your appreciation. So the fact that they’re using a bible verse (out of context!)…. yeah, let God deal with that one. I don’t know the Heart of God, but this isn’t even attempting to curl all the way over.
Really, if they’re giving the pastor $70,000, that church better have am amazing program for feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and helping struggling families. The children in that neighborhood better be fully engaged in a mentorship program and there better be a bangin’ scholarship program too. Jussayin.
“Really, if they’re giving the pastor $70,000, that church better have am amazing program for feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and helping struggling families. The children in that neighborhood better be fully engaged in a mentorship program and there better be a bangin’ scholarship program too. Jussayin.”
THIS!!!!
I would give them $70,000 in an envelope – in Monopoly money. Tell them if He turned water into wine, He will turn this stash into the Rev’s burfday cash.
Crying!!!!!!!! I so hate you for this Lmao
DYING laughing at this, TOO FUNNY!!!
I just hollered!!!!!
I am strong believer that the Bible instructs us how the congregation should be ran (2Tim 3:16). And in the bible you never saw Paul, Timothy, Peter, Stephen, or any other apostle get this kind of treatment. Paul himself said that he did his ministry for God and was NEVER a burden to the congregation. And this is a $70,000 burden. This is a mess and Jesus is not pleased.
So, I put my sleuthing skills to work and found out the Church that is doing this. Grow 2 Go Christian Center.
Lemme just say that they should be taking that $70,000 and using it elsewhere.
They have 38 “ministries”, 31 of which are directly linked to the upkeep of the church, its media and internal activities. There isn’t a scholarship program, feeding for the needy, clothes bank or shelter. But they have a pastoral assistance program that provides escort and security services for the Pastor, First Lady, and special guests.
And in case you’re wondering… the city they’re in NEEDS that money to help its needy. They’re in St. Louis, MO.
Yeah.
They can can have all the seats in the overflow section.
Okay, so this is what I was waiting for. (Thanks!) After reading everyone’s comments, I wanted to weigh both sides because I grew up in a church that would collect offerings of this sort, (I no longer attend that church). My question was, what has he done to warrant such an offering? As we all know that our “pillar of the community” churches are not always so. His age and whether he’s retiring off the money means nothing to me if he isn’t/hasn’t done anything for his people and the surrounding community. Thanks for answering my question!
Of course. No different than a lot of churches. The Christian church is the biggest come-up in the history of capitalism. And people have been getting ripped off for centuries.
…Did you say security and escort? *flips laptop like Jesus did the moneychangers table in the temple*
Am I the only on that googled the church? I just had to see for myself. Jesus wept, indeed.
JESUS wept and the congregation slept. This is wrong on so many levels! So how many other pastors are at this church, because you know they gotta get theirs too!
I remember when I was about 5 years old and was a baby Christian. I would go to church and try to soak up every word that the fancy (and super-old) bishop was saying every Sunday. Then came that time in church when the baskets would come out…twice. I wondered, why didn’t they just get it done the first time? I would put ALL of my change in the plate, because I was serious about tithing, because I actually read the Bible and asked questions.
Anyway, when the other fancy men is nice suits and white gloves stood at the front of the church and told the congregation to “match this $100 bill”, I knew something was wrong. Why were they asking everyone to give a certain amount so many times a day? I knew god was rich and didn’t need money, and that church hasn’t changed since 1940-something, so it wasn’t going toward the church. I mean, they kept having fund-raisers for activities, and the children’s activities were always underfunded. So, where was the money going?
Bishop and his merry men were getting dressed up in expensive suits and driving to church in expensive cars. That’s what! So, these muhfukkas were taking the money of poor people and children like me so that they could look nice and drive fancy cars.
Now that I don’t go to church at all anymore, I’m happy to keep my money in my pocket where it will do some actual good in my life. If there were a god, it definitely wouldn’t need my money to do his bidding, so I see no point in tithing.
Did yall read at the bottom where you can give during the “public services”…what in the…is going on at the private ones?
When I was growing up, I used to love giving at the donation basket. Bless my innocent mind, I thought it was collected to be distributed to the poor (I thought this because I also attended a separate prayer group at someone’s house where this was done regularly. N I always loved the idea of sharing with the less fortunate). Anyway, for years, into my teens, I kept giving money at church because I kept seeing beggars in front of the church and it broke my heart. UNTIL one day, the priest mentions something about sharing with the poor as we exit the church. N my face went whaaaa o_o but I just have y’all all my money already! What y’all do with all my money?? O_____O I swear it was the biggest shock of my life.
Luvvie, first of all, I love your blog – you make me laugh with your insights. Now while I do agree that the approach is off-putting and scripture is out of context and the cash only is super suspect, my husband is the pastor of a small church and has been for almost 11 years. Before that he was a youth pastor for a number of years and yes, sometimes I used to think he took a vow of poverty. But someone on the discussion said what do they do that what have a pastor be compensated so much?!? Well, I can only speak for my husband and he does a lot – feeding the community, helping members find jobs, counseling couples in need, creating new bible studies to meet the needs of our members, and visiting the sick in the hospital almost every day until they get out, to mention a few.
So, he is taken away from his family a lot and uses gas that he really doesn’t have, etc. however it is all in the mindset of how you do ministry. I don’t personally feel that the church owes me and my family monetary gifts above and beyond his salary, but some may feel that because of all that they do.
I work as well but some years ago after I received a raise, we moved into a bigger house and rumors were abound that we must be stealing money. Really people? I have a job and am a PhD candidate…sheesh.
So I said all that to say, that church was dead wrong for asking for a specific amount, but they are not wrong for wanting to bless him. Someone should have reviewed that plea for funds and took another approach. Because of how people view pastors and their wives (no thanks to the recent “pastor and their wives” realty show), I try to be as modest as possible in all facets of my life – because I will be judged either way. I just want to be as authentic and humble as possible.
But it does hurt my heart that so many are against the church, but I emailed this article to my husband and secretary to laugh at it but to also remember how things are perceived so differently by people. It is definitely hard to please everyone – some people don’t ever want to give the pastor anything until he has done something for them where they see his worth. Just my two cents. Sorry for the dissertation….
Please know that I ABSOLUTELY do not see anything wrong with them asking for the congregation to give the pastor a gift. That ain’t what I’m talmbout. But this amount and the way they are doing it is what I have a problem with. It seems underhanded and shady dinnamug.
I know, right? I agree too. I don’t see how the whole committee thought this was a good idea unless it was a committee of one. LOL
In my congregation there are contribution boxes in the back and you give out of what you can. We don’t tithe even Jesus used the example of the widow who could only drop two small coins and in his eyes she have more than those giving more.
If you are a pastor I understand that you may use your own money but that is the what you signed up for. Everyone in my congregation does things as volunteers. When we have large assemblies people clean and donate their time and money. When we build new churches. People again build it by volunteering there time,cooking for and feeding those who help and even donating money. This is absolutely ridiculous.
this. Tell them, sister.
Ok- so there’s a chance that the Pastor doesn’t know anything about this. I’ll tell you a story of something that (almost) happened at my church. Lol…Certain individuals thought it would be great to collect money from members to help the Pastor’s travel expenses when he traveled for church work. They had a meeting and implemented it and everything.
Those of us who knew how the pastor operated refused to give a dime (and was probably considered heathens…lol) because we knew that if the Pastor had been asked about this, his answer would have been ABSOLUTELY NOT! Anywhoo, sure enough he found about it and openly shut it down over the pulpit and reprimanded all those involved. The culprits were old church mothers who fawn over the pastor, so there was never any inkling that there was a criminal scheme involved, just good intentions lacking in common sense and disregarding the order in which things are done. I think people who gave felt so ridiculous that they never stopped by the finance office to have their money refunded, so I think it was a lesson learned for a lot of people! Lol…
So sometimes intentions may be good but end up making the church look foolish- not that it takes a lot these days. But the bottom line is with all the financial shadiness going on in churches, you really can’t be playing with people’s money like that. It’s things like this that make people get even tighter with the purse strings when their money may be legitimately needed for actual church work.
All that being said…nothing wrong if a person wants to give to their Pastor and/or his family as an individual (or even anonymously). A good pastor is hard to find- nothing wrong with letting them know they are appreciated- let’s just keep things in order.
Amen to that
This rubs me the wrong way. I grew up very active in the church and NO ONE there got a salary for being a pastor preacher Sunday school teacher or youth pastor musician nothing. Everyone had a day job. Tithes and offerings went to church bills and the rest went to various charities the church sponsored, youth outings or church outreach activities. Everyone saw that what they did within the church was a calling of God and never asked for compensation. When I realized that folks actually got compensated for this it blew my mind.
OMG….
My Grandfather was a pastor for 52 years before he passed away. He NEVER took a salary from the church. Heck, he even used his own personal money to give to various places on behalf of the church. He worked a full time job, and I am a living witness that for years he would work all night Saturday, and come home in time to eat breakfast and get dressed for Sunday service.
The members would pay tithes to the church and give him pounds (fruits, vegetables, canned goods) once a month.
Growing up, i thought that was how all churches did it. When I learned that pastors were paid salaries, I was so hurt. I eventually came to understand why they got a salary, but I was hurt nonetheless. I kept thinking “if my grandfather did it, why can’t other pastors?”
It was hard for me to get past it, and I honestly believe that’s when i started viewing the church and pastors differently.
In my case, my pastor was my uncle and he and his family love in a tiny rundown apt above the church. He worked all day and then would come home and deal with counseling members of the church or attend whatever function was going on and then you could see him at his desk in the wee hours of the morning studying and preparing his sermons If you happened to drive by. I can see why people get salaries but just how I was raised, to me this speaks more to me, like this man was called and dedicated and its not a paycheck. Not by any means saying its a paycheck to people that are paid because I dont know what is in their hearts, but this is a man who put everything into it and it showed.
Ooops. “Lived” not love. Of course I’m sure they “loved” there too. Lol
Nobody wants there pastor live an impoverished life with that being said I don’t think giving a pastor as wonderful as he or she may be 70k is an appropriate birthday present sorry would you take a collection to get your 70 your old boss at your 9-5 or even yourself that kind of money and the cash only part leaves a bad taste in my mouth I really can’t see the good intentions here at all.
This isn’t uncommon at all and its a shame. There’s a church here in Baltimore that raised money to buy the pastor a brand new BMW while the church can barely pay its mortgage and was paying two of their secretaries below minimum wage for 10 years. Back in the day compensation for a preacher was a member of the congregation giving them a place to sleep and a hot meal I know that this isn’t the early 1900s but just because you hoop and holler at me on Sunday morning that doesn’t mean I need to throw ridiculous amounts of money at you especially when there’s a chance that you’re already living better than me. I’m all for sewing seeds but not if my garden is in shambles.
LOL at Holler and Shambles. If I ever start a band, I’m naming it that. Holler & Shambles. Yeah.
Let me tell you why I left the church at the age of 17. My dad was the music director, and noticed that one of his musicians had been getting thinner and looking sicker week by week. Come to find out the man had lost his job and was literally starving. He had been too embarrassed to ask for help. My dad went to the pastors and asked them if the church had a fund for members in need. They told him they did but the most they could give was $300. $300 was not going to go far for this man, so my dad ended up taking a collection from the other musicians to get the poor man some money so he could eat.
A few weeks later there was an elders meeting at the church, where it was voted to buy each of the pastors a brand new car. And not cheap cars, either. With that, I said, “Screw all of y’all. I’m out.”
Oh, and P.S., both of these pastors were already making very handsome salaries. They were not poor, underpaid small-church servants of God. Jesus was a paycheck for them.
I am appalled. That is awful! >:-|
^^^This is why so many leave
Situations like this make me cringe. That just broke my heart… No money to help the members of the church, but plenty of money available to fund the pastor’s already lavish lifestyle. But if you blow the whistle on these people you are the bad guy. Please. I’m a whistle blower. Yep, that’s me!!!
I don’t see any problem with Pastors receiving a salary. The Bible says that those who teach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel (1 Cor. 9:14), BUT (and that’s a big BUT) $70,000 is extremely excessive, especially for a bonus.
But at the same time, being a Pastor ain’t about working yourself to death for no compensation. I guess he trying get his while he is on earth!
guys i don’t think it’s so wrong. i mean obviously the amount is too high but still asking people to generously give shouldn’t matter that much. because pastor’s aren’t paid a lot so if the guy receives a gift for the services he provided whats so bad about that?
I heard of a pastor once who had a really palatial estate with a lake out back and a bunch of jetskis and other things. The “chosen ones” from the church got to take a lot of “retreats” out there and had the time of their life. Of course this was all paid for by the church. It made me sick.
My pastor has a 9-5 where he makes a pretty good living, and he tithes, takes nothing from the church, and spends ALL his free time doing The Lord’s Work. I respect him much more than any of the other full-time pastors.
I did some design work for a church a while ago, and I overheard a few things while at their offices for meetings and stuff. Apparently one of the pastors, who was being supported 100% by the church, demanded a bigger house and a nicer car because another pastor he knew had a bigger house and a nicer car. Wasn’t there something about a camel and the eye of a needle or something?
I can almost guarantee that the first pastor wasn’t that well-paid at his first job.
iDIED right here… “That ain’t e’em Godly and I rebuke them in the name of Meshack, Shadrack and that Billy Goat.”
Your posts keep me falling out.
This is one of the reasons why sooooooooooooooooo many people stay out of the church now! As believers we have gotten so far away from the true ministry of Jesus which is to show and give love to all. That is done by visiting the sick, feeding the hungry and helping those in need. I really don’t recall Jesus receiving one cent for all that He did while He was here. Hopefully, those at that church will see the errors of their ways and do something else with that money.
Hell, for years I thought that the musicians did what they did because they loved the Lord and their church. Imagine my surprise when I found out how much they made!!! I should have learned how to play the piano or drums!!!!
Do I think that church should be a blessing to their Pastor? yes, I do. Do I think that the amount is a bit much- yes. I would have preferred that they did not say how much they were trying to raise.
My churches did this or a variant of it for my Pastor’s 25th anniversary, and we are doing it again for his 30th anniversary. The difference is, it does not feel forced, AND my Shepherd does NOT receive a salary on a consistent basis. Most of the time , if he knows that tithes were low and the church has a bill to be paid, he will not take his salary. My Pastor also does not work a 9-5 anymore. He will occasionally ask us for an offering though. I also know that if anyone needs anything from him, he will give it to them. Many times I have seen him bless someone with money to meet their need.
Wtf? Not too surprised anyway. Here, Nigerian pastors are getting private jets as birthday gifts and all I keep thinking is Jesus be a pilot and take em to heaven already. All kinds of wrong!
Did anyone see the video of the lady who walked up to Eddie Long in the pulpit in the middle of his sermon and handed him a stack of money?? Then politely sa-shayed back down the isle while he started talking about miracles?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDkykEged20
And the reaction of the crowd is SO telling. YES, a huge wad of cash must be a direct sign of miracles from Jesus! Sick with cancer? Need help leaving an abusive relationship? Need a job? Sorry poors, God only bestows his favor AFTER a huge cash deposit in front of a crowd. Eddie Long says he needs his money for muscle shirts and wig glue, those young boys aren’t going to just fall into his bed. Didn’t God say do your gifts in secret? That reminds me of this episode of Black Dynamite, cause some people think God is a Pimp and you better give God his money!
http://youtu.be/GXi5sag4_vk
Muscle shirts and wig glue!!!!! I’m done.
Muscle shirts?
Wig glue?
Jesus is a pimp?
You know what, we have to fight now because you have just done me in and I will not stand for it!
70,000$ is 3x’s what my car cost; that’s not a gift, it’s a down payment. A gift is an Edible Arrangement and a card.
I grew up in a church where the pastor was on payroll, but they were provided a parsonage within walking/biking distance (across the street from my house), his wife worked, and they always made time for me to come over and show them the new flips I learned in gymnastics. I remember him talking about where the money went during service, if we were going to be short, him not taking his full check (he needed something to feed his family, I am guessing). There was always time for anyone to come into his office, chat about something that they didn’t understand/like in his sermon, or just to bring him a cupcake and a thanks.
We got a new pastor, who decided to not live in the parsonage, bought a NEW house in the most expensive subdivision at the time, and ministries started to fall away. (Youth, outreach, any missions trip fundraisers). We had to make appointments weeks in advanced in order to talk to him outside of Sunday. It was always about money, money, money and expansion of the church building, which didn’t make sense because we could barely fill the building we had.
Whenever I go back and have a catch up session with anyone in the church, it turns out into a conversation about why I voted for President Obama or why I am not a member of the church, or why I am not tithing 10%. When I ask them, “What do you do in the community? What do you do in the world? Where is your money going?” They have no answer, or just say that I tithe 10%. and I then tell them about the food I buy for the local food pantry, the lunches I have with people that just need to get away, the friend I am supporting in South Africa that is working at a children’s AIDS hospice (that I have worked at, so I know exactly what is going on, thank you very much).
I love church, but don’t have time to give money and not know where it is going.
At least it says “give what you can when you can”. my church (a black church) is having an appreciation where all member will give $5 a week (for 10 months), leaders will have to give $5 a week plus an extra amount a week, auxillaries have to give $3000 total. Oh, and they are keeping track of who gives what; the exact quote was “and if you aren’t giving your amount, you might want to think about how you really feel about this ministry” basically saying you might have to go to another church. I’m appalled. For years they get on people to give, but to keep track to see who is giving what seems a bit much. Not everyone in the church has money to spare. We give our tithes and offering, sometimes giving more will hurt our family. I’m all for giving to your pastors, but your bills and children shouldn’t have to suffer. I think they should stick with give what you can.
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