BrotherTony

Why are you so concerned about what some other pastor is paid? It really has nothing to do with you and is distracting you from the work of the Lord. You really need to let these things go and move on.

He was a bi-vocational pastor making $200 per week pastoring 65 people in 1992. He asked to have his salary lowered to $150 per week until the congregation grew and recently saved were faithful and matured in Christ. The other pastor was bi-vocational as well and was only making $75 a week in 1999 pastoring 30 people. He went to $50 per week. Both churches grew significantly after this, and their converts thrived under the discipleship programs both churches ran. Believe me, NEITHER Of these men "had money" and they needed a lot. But, they counted these lacks as positives for Christ.

TGL...you keep bouncing back and forth on what you believe, or at least in what you're presenting. TBH, I know of at least two churches where my wife and I were members where the pastor DID ask for a reduction in pay, as the amount he was being paid was detrimental to the church. To be direct here, you seem to continuously post your opinion as fact, and that's not a good thing.

If pay is based on numbers only,I believe that the pastor would be guilty of serving for "filthy lucre" and the church would be guilty of allowing it to happen.

Our church is going to be showing "The Chosen" during midweek services and talking about the show. It seems to have gained a lot of support in the church I attend, though I am not on board with this decision. I believe it would be detrimental and overly humanizes Jesus Christ, taking away from his deity. Care to give any input along with the poll..please, feel free to do so.

I was watching our church's broadcast from yesterday since my wife and I weren't able to be there, and we learned that on Wednesday evenings, our church is going to be showing "The Chosen" and discussing it. I have to say that I'm thoroughly disappointed with this decision. I don't think showing this is going to accomplish anything but taking our congregation further to the left, no matter whether our pastors intentions are good or not.

I truly believe it is a gift, especially since I'm a writer. I also know several pastors, both IFB, SBC, and even a few Methodist and Lutheran writers. One writer I know of who is IFB is probably known by some here, and he's written the only set of Bible commentaries ever by an IFB pastor...Dr. David H. Sorenson of the Northstar Baptist Church in Duluth, MN. He used to be my youth pastor in years gone by, as well as the associate pastor in the church his father pastored in Pekin, IL. I also know some of the Rice family, and they are writers, as well as Dr. Allen Jackson who pastors the World Outreach Church (the largest church in town) here in the Murfreesboro, Tennessee area.

I've found in the past that most members who don't show up for the business meetings probably don't belong there in the first place. They usually don't tithe, they don't give offerings, and they don't volunteer for things in the church when folks are needed to assist. These are the kind of "members" that are members in name only. They don't seem to care what happens in the church until it's something that they want or don't want to happen. It's a sad truth that many members more than likely don't even know the Lord. There is no sign of growth in their "Christian" life, and they don't seem to love the things of the Lord. Now concerning doing things wrong with the tithe, I'm convinced that most pastors, deacons, treasurers, and true church "members" are wanting to do what is right. I will agree that there are many "false leaders" in the churches, but, I believe they are few and far between. And I will agree that these false leaders are helping to bring judgment on us all, not just the churches that they are "shepherds" of. What they preach and teach affects us in insomuch that their members go out and help propagate the same ideology that their shepherd has.

Morales, the purpose of a business meeting is to ask questions. You shouldn't be timid about asking things. You may find that some other people have the same one. If you're looked on as a "trouble-maker" who cares? It's every congregant's right and obligation to discuss the budget and any concerns.

Your answer makes no sense, TGL. I've never been a member of a church like this. I've never really seen a church that has done this. I'm sure there are some out there that do this kind of thing, but, I believe it's a rarity.

I live in Tennessee and have for 29 years. I'm glad that we have a governor who will stand up and be counted and worry about things like this! Let the liberals be mad. I hope some of the other "red" states will follow suit!

Because, that's what the Bible says will happen..... Rev 7:9 “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;”

On the portion I've bolded and underlined...could you explain further what you mean by this?

I understand what you're saying, but, again, that parable is for individuals, not for the churches. Context and content are necessary, Morales, and you're not using either correctly here. It's up to each individual church body to decide how they spend the tithes. And, each church is accountable for itself, so, I wouldn't be worrying much about what doesn't concern me. Just a hint.

Can you prove that assertion? Or is it just your opinion? I recall that Jesus fed 5000 people, and 4000 in another account. I also recall that the Bible talks about when the church met together they broke bread in fellowship. I think you'd better be checking your Bible, TGL.

I have had definite opinions on this since I've been in several churches that have had women leading the choir and congregational singing. The first was the church I grew up in. When we started attending and I was only 9 years old, we had a female leading. Many of the men were disgruntled over this, though she did an excellent job. Yet, some of what she had us singing had bad doctrine. She finally resigned when I was 11 years old but remained as a member for many more years. One of the latest is the current church we're in. Using more CCM and it's faulty doctrine has been the norm of late, and the sandwiching of hymns between CCM songs, or having CCM added to the end or beginning of a hymn is problematic for me. Another thing is that the "Worship Leader" is the pastor's wife. Nepotism and cliquishness have become the norm in the church. It's not that the pastor's wife is intentionally trying to lead anyone in the church in the wrong direction, I believe her heart is pure and her motives are to help the church and her husband's ministry. It's problematic because most of the CCM being forced on the congregation are songs that the people don't know, or that sound more like "boyfriend/girlfriend" rock or country songs. One song that I particularly dislike that is often sung in congregational singing is one that claims that God's love is "reckless." The error is blatant and glaring, but, it's something they don't want to hear.

It's up to each church on how to spend the tithes and offerings. Why shouldn't the church use the tithes to have a church barbecue with anything and everything for kids? Each church is autonomous and able to do what they wish as long as it's Biblical with the income of tithes/offerings. I've never seen a Baptist church that puts missions on the back burner. I've been a member of many over the years, both IFB and SBC.

I know in one church where I was the music leader I was given a "love offering" a couple of times a year, but that was always endorsed and turned back over to the church. Even when I was filling the pulpit in many churches, I would endorse the check back over to the church.

Are you talking about paid staff members? I'm taking it that you are. It's true that in many instances that paid staff members will be more faithful, but, this isn't always the case. There are many who are involved in their churches who never accept one penny of pay and do quite well in being faithful. Many churches, like the one I'm a member of presently, cannot afford to pay anyone but a pastor and assistant if there is one at the time.

Oil has been used for millenia to consecrate kings....Saul and David are good examples.

The CDC said that it wasn't effective in the Coronavirus except in stopping the spread of droplets when someone coughed or sneezed. Masks are used in surgery (N95) to keep the doctors from spreading any potential germs into the OPEN BODY of their patient. Let's not try to distort the facts here. You're always welcome to your opinion, but, you need to back it up with fact if you expect people to accept it.

I believe a pastor ought to be paid, and paid well, especially if he is serving full-time. He should be able to concentrate on the work the Lord and the church have called him to, preaching the Word and protecting the flock. But, I know that at times I have seen this taken to a rather ridiculous extreme. Example: In the BMA church my wife and I were members of, the pastor had EVERYTHING except for his groceries paid for, and was paid $300 per week. He was supplied with a car, gas, housing, insurance, etc...and it made him lazy, and careless with things like utilities, how often he went out driving around, and traveling all over the state with no apparent rhyme or reason. One month his electric bill was over $300, and the water bill (he had an above-ground pool he installed at the parsonage across the street from the church) for filling up that pool, and taking hour-long showers was over $100...the average water bill in that town was $35 a month for larger homes, and he was only 1100 sq ft. He would leave the house with all the lights on at night and would leave the water running to fill the pool while he went to do odd jobs, his part-time job. The church discussed reducing some of his benefits, and he got belligerent and had certain members of the church followed/stalked, showing up at their places of employment, and their homes, and would just sit outside of the building. Since we supported reducing his benefits, and because I was one of the people who worked on staff unpaid, he had us followed, and even went to my wife's place of employment and sat out in the dining room staring at her. We finally left that church. So did many others. But, there are many pastors who go above and beyond what is considered their responsibility, and they are woefully underpaid. Even part-time pastors who serve well should be paid a decent, living salary, and provided for as best the church can do so.

I'm finding that many churches today don't seem to worship the Lord Jesus Christ, but rather their opinions and man-based doctrines. Dictatorial pastors have become the norm in many churches, and it's a shame.....I want to remember daily that only JESUS is worthy of our praise! This song has been on my heart and mind for the past few weeks. I hope this helps exalt JESUS in your life, and edifies you as much as it has me. I hope that it will also help motivate you to share Christ with one person today!