Rewarding Bad Behavior… A Lesson for the Church
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Wed, September 03, 2008
- Viewed 191
- (8) comments so far
It seems that that was the price to make things go away. $400,000. Hush money.
Churches are not above providing severance packages. Sometimes severance packages are warranted. Sometimes they are not.
I’ve heard of churches offering six figures to pastors to help them leave graciously. I’ve also heard (and have seen first-hand) churches that might not offer severance packages, but will sweep things (sins, in particular) under the carpet and allow the pastor to go on to another church.
What is your thought on severance packages? What is fair and reasonable?
Or, we could put it this way… what if the guy in the picture above holding the ‘non-working’ keg above the young girls mouth was your pastor or served on your staff? How would you deal with it?
Love to hear your comments…
Todd
More on this college president here...
Did you hear about the Iowa Central Community College president that had a picture published of him aboard a boat with a group of young people holding the spigot of a small beer keg suspended over a young woman’s open mouth?
Before the picture was published by the paper, the college president was asked about the picture and denied 'knowing anything about the photo or any recent board outings with young people.' But after being told that one of his trustees had already seen the picture, he fessed up; adding that he had done nothing illegal or improper. His reasoning: all of the people who were drinking in the boat when the photograph was taken were of legal age. And the beer keg was broken and wasn’t dispensing beer into the young woman’s mouth. (Why were they holding it above her mouth if it wasn't dispensing beer... that's kind of a futile mission if you ask me!) Oh, and his 19-year-old son, who was arrested for second-offense drunken driving early the next morning, was in the boat but WAS NOT drinking. Makes sense.
But this does not make sense: this college president will collect a severance package of $400,000 from the school...
Comments
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Leonard on Wed, September 03, 2008
One week salary for each year served is a going rate for many businesses. Be gracious when ever possible, but don’t be stupid enough to think sweeping things under the rug does anything other than give you a lumpy carpet.
When someone is dismissed with cause (see big screw up) I do not think a severance is necessary.
Rob on Wed, September 03, 2008
Todd,
I agree with your take…but sadly, in our litigious society today, many businesses, schools, and churches will take the “easy way out” and give severance or “sweep away” to avoid a lawsuit. It’s sad that personal character seems not to count in the matter of the college president.
As far as church goes, I think we do a great disservice when we allow sins or problems of pastors to follow them to a new pulpit under the guise of “letting them leave well”. We’d do ourselves a much better service by keeping them and working through deliverance with them and supporting them. This is more biblical…but much harder work and much less popular…and that’s a shame.
(stepping down from my soapbox… ;^) )
Peter Hamm on Wed, September 03, 2008
I think paying severance is a good thing, especially if it helps to smooth out transitions… money well spent in many cases…
If the guy were my SP, I would have deleted the photo from the camera right after I took it. (hee hee…)
Andy Wood on Wed, September 03, 2008
I would give a million-dollar one-time severance check, and deduct $999,990 as a stupidity fine.
Seriously, Leonard’s suggestion seems fair and reasonable, when the termination is based on something short of a moral or legal (convicted) offense. But for those cases, there are ways to be grace-filled and redemptive without sacrificing the trust and integrity of the church.
Adam on Mon, September 08, 2008
I know of a church who had a bad experience with their pastor (habitual liar about his past and viewpoints). When he finally left the church he was serving, it was found out that his previous church had given a good reccomendation only to get rid of him. I think that’s definitely sweeping things under the rug.
Dan on Tue, September 09, 2008
For a non-church, hush money makes sense as an investment - if revealing the problem would result in a loss of revenue.
For a church - whether or not this would be the right thing to do - I guess I’d at least keep it on the table as an option. Situational ethics, I guess.
Andy on Thu, September 11, 2008
Situational Ethics aside, if a pastor does something Immoral, illegal, or unethical I say no severance package. The Moral failure causes forteiture of that benefit. I also think that the specific situation should be revealed to the local body, to prevent the body from questioning the decisions of the leadership, and prevent as many from leaving as is possible. Sweeping things under the rug is NEVER good for a church as healing is severely hampered.
The other side of that is a pastor who leaves for a difference in theology, ideaology, or methodology. Give them a severance package that is fair for their tenure. Still be honest about the reason for the departure but if it isn’t a moral issue let it be.
Todd - Not THAT Todd on Fri, September 12, 2008
Maybe I am just old fashioned and don’t understand all of the intricacies of these situations, but I totally agree with the “lumpy carpet” comment. Jesus had this annoying habit of exposing sins rather than covering them up. In my humble opinion full disclosure is always better, and Biblical, and is the only course that leads to correction, repentance, and healing.
Has it come to the point where churches and Christian colleges need a “morals clause” in their contracts?
As for the broken beer keg, was the vodka bottle broken and not dispensing either?
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