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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

Ahhh… the Surratt’s and the Osteen’s aren’t nepotism; they are dynasties. 

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

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.

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.

I think nepotism is very destructive and it sends a subtle message that the only qualified people that can serve on a church staff are those who are related to the senior pastor.

It leads to unbelievable abuses.

I have been a member of two churches where nepotism was openly practiced.

Where in the Scriptures do we find the church being treated like the family business??

Good point by Rev.Rhoades I agree that it is better to have checks and a paper trail, and would recommend doing away with credit cards. 
As for the remark by Chris S:
“After serving at several types of churches varying from the the Baptist faith, to Pentecostal (Church Of God In Christ), to Holiness, to Apostolic, and finally to Non-Denominational”...These are not several types of churches but variations of non-liturgical protestantism.  There is no such thing as “non-demoninational,” for those churches that claim to be so are simply one-congregation denominations.
Regarding nepotism, however, if the two have become one flesh, is it nepotism for a wife to share in his ministry? Do we not have examples of the Presbytera from the earliest centuries?  As for children, it is perfectly natural for them to labor in their Father’s vineyard wherever they are, whether their father is the appointed steward or not.  However, I must agree that this does not involve extra salaries and “family business.” It involves them more as volunteers, where the Pastor is making enough to support the family.  Once a pastor starts appointing family members, not because they are the only volunteers for a position, but rather to a position where there is financial gain to be derived, he loses credibility. 
That being said, the congregationalism as the premise underlying point #5 is unScriptural, and “abuses” for things “unapproved” by committee, I must likewise disagree with.  Is ordination from God or from man, for “we must obey God rather than man.” He has to inform the people, but does he have to “get approval” from them.  No, in fact, the leader gets up before the people, informs them what needs to be done, and sees if there are any valid objections.  If so he takes that into account.  Acts 1-14 shows, not committeeism, but leadership, and acts 15 showed not a committee but an Apostolic Council meeting, not parish council, for, as St. Paul truly said, not all are Apostles. The pastor cannot be leading the sheep if the sheep are “pushing him” to go one way or another.  The early Church model is a college of presbyters around a chief presbyter (bishop).  St. James and St. Peter in Acts 15 did not ask the people what they thought, but rather came with power.  Likewise, the Ananias incident, and even before, the people brought their contributions to the Apostles and the Apostles distributed them.  When that inhibited the spread of the word, the 7 deacons did it.  The pastor certainly needs direction and sometimes approval, but not from those they lead, but from other Apostolically ordained leaders who know the Scripture and the principles handed down.  The collegiality of the Apostles NEVER rested on approval from the people, even though they did “convince, exhort, and reprove.” There is not one instance of seeking approval from the people, for all authority comes from God.  In fact, every instance of congregationalism that came about, especially in the Old Testament (re Moses et al) was punished by the good Lord. 

Well as far as nepotism goes, what do you do when NO ONE wants to assume a leadership positions? I am the Worship Leader’s wife and a decent leader to boot!  I have literally been voted into the Ladies Ministry Leadership position when I stepped out of the room for a moment. I kid you not. I am not thrilled with that tactic (it was more a joke) but we didn’t have a leader and obviously no one else wanted to get off their fannies and actually lead, so I said ok. I prayed yesterday for God to release me from this obligation, but he said not yet. What do you do when no one WILL step up and lead and you are a capable person and the position needs to be filled?