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Hurricane Offerings

Discussion in '2004 Archive' started by RockRambler, Sep 27, 2004.

  1. RockRambler

    RockRambler New Member

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    Yesterday, a 4-day revival was starting. The Evangelist, who is a pastor of a Baptist church in another state, gave the morning message. He started out by saying, "...I hope you keep our brothers and sisters down in Florida in your prayers as the hurricane approaches. Also, keep the churches in your prayers. Oft times we forget that the churches can't hold services because of the storms...and once that offering is lost for one Sunday, it seems it never returns to the church. Guess those people go out to eat dinner that week instead of doubling up on their offerings the next Sunday".

    I thought it was sad that a man who had been pastor of the same church for 28yrs came off as more concerned about the money flow, than he was in what churches could do to help those who have been left without power and homes during a hurricane.
     
  2. JGrubbs

    JGrubbs New Member

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    It gives one an idea of what the real focus of many of the churches in America is. :(
     
  3. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    Sad, but the pastor is right that many of our churches have become big businesses and when a hurricane/blizzard/earthquake et al hit, it hurts business. Money lost at that time is never recovered.

    When did God say His church was to be a business? That is the deplorable mindset and, as Grubbs pointed out, the REAL focus of some churches.
     
  4. Pastor J

    Pastor J New Member

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    I completely agree with the fact that the church's primary responsibility is people. However, it is true that a missed service does effect the offerings of a church. Our normal offering is about $1000 a week (small church). If we have to cancel services for whatever reason, the next weeks offering is usually about $1500. A church on a strict budget may not be able to overcome the shortfall without cutting expenses. However, if you cut expenses, people will not be happy with you.

    I agree that this preacher probably shouldn't have mentioned it, but we were not there to hear the context, only rockramble was.
     
  5. JGrubbs

    JGrubbs New Member

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    But, if a church has a larger building and grounds budget than they do a ministry budget and they are concerned about the money, there IS a problem.

    Like Dr. Bob said, many churches are nothing more than Christian businesses. Many now even have a sales and marketing budget, advertising budget, etc.

    It's time for churches to return to the New Testement model for church!
     
  6. AVL1984

    AVL1984 <img src=../ubb/avl1984.jpg>

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    RockRambler, that is terrible that this pastor would say this. Though it may be true that the money may be lost, it give somewhat of an indication of just whom many pastors are trusting in, and it doesn't seem to be the Lord. The Lord knows what the church needs, and he knows how to provide it, even in lean times and disasters. I would have found it hard to sit through this man's meetings.

    AVL1984
     
  7. Deacon

    Deacon Well-Known Member
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    He may not have said it tactfully but what he says is true none the less. A church with a mortgage, electric bills, payroll and insurance costs must pay them even in the event of storms and other catastrophes... and they are responsible to pay them in a timely manner.

    God doesn't call us to run church businesses but He does call us to be good stewards of what we have.

    A timely rebuke by a pastor to his congregation may spark responsibile giving and a return to proper stewardship.

    Rob
     
  8. RockRambler

    RockRambler New Member

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    Very true, but I think being a good steward of money would entail being ready for the unexpected. Standard accounting practices is to have six months of expenses in reserve...I do in my business and most successful businesses do.

    My biggest objection upon hearing it was the comment about the people going out to eat dinner instead of giving to the church. Yes, they very well might do that, because their home is without power and they can't cook at home. There are all sorts of expenses that are incurred when you can't live in your house for a few days.

    Additionally, many in a congregation may be without a job for days, weeks, or months...depending on the severity of the hurricane.

    In times of disaster, I feel that a minister should be more concern about people, than he is offerings. (Of course, that shold be the attitude all the time)
     
  9. TC

    TC Active Member
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    And if someone loses their house (or job or whatever) to a natural disaster such as a hurricane, is it more responsible to use what you have left to shelter/cloth/feed your family or give to the church which was not affected? The people are just as responsible to pay their personal bills and obligations as the church is. This is not an easy situation by any means. IMO the people come first and if the church needs to make some cutback in the process, then so be it.
     
  10. donnA

    donnA Active Member

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    In the 13 years we have been at our church we have missed maybe 4 Sundays(all in the same year, family death and health), and I remember church being cancelled 2 times(weather was real bad ice several inches thick on the roads and many memebr drive more then 5 miles), I don't know about anyone else, but I do know we saved our check and tithed for both weeks on the next Sunday.
    It's a shame this pastor cares more about money then people.
     
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