Five Landmines Pastors Should Avoid
- Posted on September 05, 2005
- Viewed 565 times
- (21) comments
2. Co-mingling of Funds
It is unlawful and inappropriate to use designated funds for budget expenses, or in any other way taking funds intended for one purpose and using it for another.
3. Misuse of Church Credit Card
It is wrong for a pastor to use the church credit card for personal expenses or in excess of the limit the church has stipulated.
4. Misuse of Church Resources
It is wrong for a pastor to use church resources for personal projects whether on home property or any other personal endeavor. This is especially inappropriate when no reimbursement is made to the church.
5. Misuse of Pastoral Authority
It is inappropriate for a pastor to make decisions arbitrarily about new endeavors, missions, etc., without church discussion and approval. One example would be to take up offerings for unauthorized projects.
FOR DISCUSSION: Have you ever been entangled in one of these landmines? What were the consequences? How do you make sure you steer clear from these areas?
(The whole article can be read here at Lifeway.com)
Dr. James T. Draper shares five different areas that pastors should avoid that could serve as potential trouble spots for pastors. Watch out for these ‘landmines’: 1. Nepotism
This is a very sensitive area. When a minister hires his wife, siblings, children, spouses of his children, etc., it opens up some areas of concern. I believe it is inappropriate unless it comes as a demand from the church itself…
Comments
if you want a Globally Recognized Avatar (the images next to your profile) get them here. Once you sign up, your picture will displayed on any website that supports gravitars.
Eric Mason on Mon, September 05, 2005
Nepotism. hmmm. There are plenty of churches doing this well. Pastor Loveless serves with both of his sons. Chip Ingram just started a church with his son. I love the idea of husbands and wives as teammates in ministry. This one and the 5th one seem like paradigms present in traditional churches mired in landmines far more dangerous than these, and these landmines are certainly not universal. The middle three are certainly universal however. That’s just inappropriate fiscal behavior.
Kim on Mon, September 05, 2005
The pastor of my former church recently had the church incorporated without asking or informing any members of his decision. The issue was not that the church had been incorporated. I understand there are benefits. This problem was that no one even knew about it until 6 months later, when it was mentioned in passing in a business meeting! Do you feel this was inappropriate?
Kay on Mon, September 05, 2005
I am the wife of an associate pastor who emotional, financial, and physical life was held in the palm of an abusive pastor. This man was a good friend, and as we were there many many years, the verbal abuse and expectations placed upon my husband were unreasonable. Our son grew from 4 - 13 without his dad around. There was always ‘drama’ at the church or with the pastor and his personal family. my husband wasn’t just ‘married’ to the chruch but he was ‘married’ the pastor and his wife. He did several personal things for them, including ordering items for their back yard! And when we had our family things to do, he was always made to feel like he wasn’t being obedient to authority. That’s just one messed up family and I’m glad we’re out of there.
Chris Surratt on Mon, September 05, 2005
Yeah, that nepotism stuff really hasn’t worked out well for Seacoast, Lakewood, 1st Assembly Phoenix…
Charles on Mon, September 05, 2005
I must say that this is a very interesting article. After serving at several types of churches varying from the Baptist faith, to Pentecostal (Church Of God In Christ), to Holiness, to Apostolic, and finally to Non-Denominational, I have seen these things on all levels. Nepotism generally exists in churches where a pastor has started the church with his family, therefore they WOULD be the first officers of his church. This is quite common in churches which started as store-fronts. I believe that churches should have a covering. I think that it depends on the denomination and bylaws of that church body, whether the pastor has this kind of power. If a church is run by a governing body within that church, then these things would definitely apply. If the church was started by that pastor and his family, this would not be something that they could follow in the beginning stages.
Technically, if the pastor is making a difference in that church body, it is growing and thriving, and his family is qualified… LET THEM WORK WITH HIM IN MINISTRY. It would not be smart to hire someone else, if your family has the goods!
Rev Jay on Mon, September 05, 2005
Read and agreed with, this is a very sensitive area. I have always enjoyed my better half working side by side with me in the ministry, it has always kept me out of trouble, and we have the same ministry mindset. I could have done it without her, but everyone loves her too. Just my thought and as for the rest of the landmines, just don’t let the everyday world of business run your church by overstepping your bounds.
Geoff on Mon, September 05, 2005
I checked with our senior pastor (my brother), our children’s pastor (my wife), and our small group pastor (my nephew) and they all agree; nepotism definitely doesn’t work. Now if we can just get word to the Osteens before they head down that path!
sd on Mon, September 05, 2005
Family on staff can be good or bad. I’ve been there. the problems often aren’t in the church but in the family. When a family becomes damaged because of church problems it takes a long time to heal. You can go on to another church but you only have one family.
Roth Stephen on Mon, September 05, 2005
I been in several mail line churches which have in their bulletin any money given that is designated to a fund that is not a category they accept as a designated fund it will go to the general fund. According to you warning this would be wrong. Are you sure it is the same in all state or is it a federal law. In other word if someone gives a church a designated money for a stain glass window does that money until the person die or the church close stay in a fund until a stain glass window is put in if the church has no intention or desire to put in a stain glass window. I know one church played by the rule and kept a screen fund in place for ten years until a board actually felt the church was ready for the screen. But I also no another church who takes all designated fund they do not agree with and put it in the general budget. So I called the federal government and according to them there is qualification as to the amount given, time money stays in the church budget, person passes away, etc. In other words yes we should honor the person wishes but make sure the pastor and church check out the law with in their state and the federal government so it is all above the board.
david on Mon, September 05, 2005
What can a staff or church member do if he sees his pastor violating these guidelines? Many pastor’s feel that they cannot be questioned on their actions because they are “God’s Undershepherd.”
Todd Rhoades on Mon, September 05, 2005
Ahhh… the Surratt’s and the Osteen’s aren’t nepotism; they are dynasties. http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/smile.gif
Actually, I thought of you, Geoff and Chris, when I posted this. There are always exceptions to the rules. And you guys are definitely one. Maybe you could share how you are able to pull it off… I mean most families are so dysfunctional these days (not just in marriage/morals, but in functionality). I think most families could not pull it off.
Todd
James on Mon, September 05, 2005
I think Nepotism is always a dangerous area. However, many large ministries have successfully navigated these waters. To say never, or inappropriate, from my perspective is inappropriate. I have a dear Sr. Pastor friend of a large church who has used his daughter as the drama Pastor, a son as one of the youth pastors. The ministry is successful, in part, because of the accountability and the ability of the Sr. Pastor to keep an objective perspective of his kids serving under him. I have used my sons as worship leaders and parachurch leaders under me. But, I also have a board and the perspective that my children are fellow-ministers, not my relatives. In some ways I’m harder on them than someone else might be.
With the credit-card area. The church I’m now in doesn’t use them, except for the business administrator. I like that very much. Everything is either on merchant account, or reimbersement. All receipts are reviewed and a monthly statement is tallied.
The last church I was in, we all had credit cards and a personal expense account. The personal expense account was fantastic for anything ministry wise we “wanted”, books, tapes, CD’s, etc. If we had to go over our designated amount, we simply asked the Deacon Board for more funds, or we jus did without. The church was very generous and giving. They gave me just about everything I wanted and needed, so I can’t complain at all about the finances. They would allow us, in an emergency, to purchase personal items as long as we designated such and then reimbursed the church. Of course this was not to be a general practice, only in an emergency. And I was grateful that the church was"Big” hearted in this manner. And I found no one to abuse the system or generousity of the churches resources.
Jerry on Mon, September 05, 2005
I understand and thankful for those that have family members that serve with them, but in out church our Pastor’s daughter serves as our children’s pastor. Bless her heart she really does a lousy job at it. She needs to be replaced but no one wants to offend the pastor.
Frightened on Tue, September 06, 2005
David,
Do not touch God’s anointed…great article
here:
http://www.awildernessvoice.com/TouchNot.html
We had a minister who came, tore down the constitution and set himself up as the ruling person, not replacing boards or people who left and keeping things secret from the congregation.
He runs the organization like he started it and is the only one who has a say. The people who remained no longer seem to care or know the laws or what it means to love and share. How sad!
apostle john on Tue, September 06, 2005
Nice list, but I think it is probably just a beginning. It feels like “food for thought”—something I want to chew on.
Here’s my list:
1. Remember you have feet of clay—don’t put yourself in a position to be tempted. Don’t be alone with a woman in a non-public setting. Don’t handle the church’s money.
2. Remember other people have feet of clay—they might fall into the temptation to gossip, so don’t give them reason to be tempted by doing something that might foster false gossip—in other words, don’t be alone with a woman and don’t handle the church’s money.
3. Be accountable—to another minister, a group, a board of elders. With the credit card and other expenses—account for everything in a reported voucher.
4. Require your leaders to be accountable—this includes an annual audit to be sure that funds are not comingled—and that none of the other frequent errors of financial management happen.
5. Trust that the voice of God is best heard by the community of God. This avoids nepotism, misuse of pastoral authority, and a host of other hazzards.
Page 1 of 2 pages 1 2 >
Post a Comment