I’d like to weigh-in on this subject, but my contribution comes from a different angle. First and foremost, I believe in tithing. My family tithes, not because of any scriptural reference, but rather out of love and gratitude to our Savior. And God has blessed us as He promised.
I served on the deacon board of the IFB church we formerly attended. The pastor had a bad habit of making expenditures outside of his authority, as agreed upon by the constitution and by-laws. His favorite line when he tried to explain his expenditure is the classic one---“It’s easier to ask forgiveness than permission.†I had heard that expression so many times, that even to this day, when I hear anyone say it, I see my former pastor in my mind.
We had a young man in our church attending a Christian College, but he was struggling financially. He was a good kid who worked on campus, but the money he made just didn’t seem to cover all of his expenses. A couple of men approached me privately about joining them to help the kid out a little every month. I thought it was a noble gesture and was happy to contribute a little into the “John Fund†(not his real name). A few other men were approached in similar manner, and all told, I think there were 5-6 that helped the kid through school.
Not long after the John Fund was up-and-running, the pastor broached the subject in our deacons meeting. He was not happy with our little funding project. He said he had received several complaints from parents of other college students expecting the church to “kick-in†for their children’s college education.
I’m inclined to think the complaints really happened. Sounds like some of the people I used to attend church with. No one ever complained to me, however, I think the pastor used this “situation†to justify his continued unauthorized spending.
It was in the deacons meeting that he demanded the church contribute to all the students’ college education in good IFB colleges. That’s code-language for the colleges our HAC-grad pastor approved. But the church’s finances could not support such an undertaking. The pastor sulked, but in the end was told, “If you can find the money, we can do this.â€
Soon afterward the pastor had a bold idea. He suggested the church stop tithing 10% of its income toward missions and let the congregation pick up the mission support through faith-promise giving. Several of us on the board had misgivings about the suggestion. We believed (and I continue to believe) that God blessed our church the more we give to the Lord, individually and corporately.
In the end, the pastor got his way. The 10% church tithe was freed-up to finance the college fund and other of the pastor’s pet projects.
I hadn’t thought about this in years. The posts on the subject jogged my memory bank. I wonder now looking back if we did right.
BTW – the pastor still there. My family and I left 9 years ago as well as over 25 families. The church that once saw a weekly attendance of 300+ is (that last I heard) struggling to see 100. I’m not suggesting the money thing and the precipitous loss of members are related, but I wonder if perhaps God did indeed withdrew some of His blessing on my old church.
I apologize for the long post and appreciate your attention.
I'm going to be away from my desk for a while, so I won't be able to quickly comment on any responses/opinions/feedback.
I served on the deacon board of the IFB church we formerly attended. The pastor had a bad habit of making expenditures outside of his authority, as agreed upon by the constitution and by-laws. His favorite line when he tried to explain his expenditure is the classic one---“It’s easier to ask forgiveness than permission.†I had heard that expression so many times, that even to this day, when I hear anyone say it, I see my former pastor in my mind.
We had a young man in our church attending a Christian College, but he was struggling financially. He was a good kid who worked on campus, but the money he made just didn’t seem to cover all of his expenses. A couple of men approached me privately about joining them to help the kid out a little every month. I thought it was a noble gesture and was happy to contribute a little into the “John Fund†(not his real name). A few other men were approached in similar manner, and all told, I think there were 5-6 that helped the kid through school.
Not long after the John Fund was up-and-running, the pastor broached the subject in our deacons meeting. He was not happy with our little funding project. He said he had received several complaints from parents of other college students expecting the church to “kick-in†for their children’s college education.
I’m inclined to think the complaints really happened. Sounds like some of the people I used to attend church with. No one ever complained to me, however, I think the pastor used this “situation†to justify his continued unauthorized spending.
It was in the deacons meeting that he demanded the church contribute to all the students’ college education in good IFB colleges. That’s code-language for the colleges our HAC-grad pastor approved. But the church’s finances could not support such an undertaking. The pastor sulked, but in the end was told, “If you can find the money, we can do this.â€
Soon afterward the pastor had a bold idea. He suggested the church stop tithing 10% of its income toward missions and let the congregation pick up the mission support through faith-promise giving. Several of us on the board had misgivings about the suggestion. We believed (and I continue to believe) that God blessed our church the more we give to the Lord, individually and corporately.
In the end, the pastor got his way. The 10% church tithe was freed-up to finance the college fund and other of the pastor’s pet projects.
I hadn’t thought about this in years. The posts on the subject jogged my memory bank. I wonder now looking back if we did right.
BTW – the pastor still there. My family and I left 9 years ago as well as over 25 families. The church that once saw a weekly attendance of 300+ is (that last I heard) struggling to see 100. I’m not suggesting the money thing and the precipitous loss of members are related, but I wonder if perhaps God did indeed withdrew some of His blessing on my old church.
I apologize for the long post and appreciate your attention.
I'm going to be away from my desk for a while, so I won't be able to quickly comment on any responses/opinions/feedback.