Church Publishes How Cheap Their People Are
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Tue, February 24, 2009
- Viewed 44
- (14) comments so far
More from The Post article:
Last week there were 661 donations totaling $8,527. One person stuffed an envelope with $175, while 21 parishioners gave only a single buck.
The most popular denomination offered was $5, with 196 donations. In second place were the $10 offerings, at 142.
The church’s pastor, the Rev. Monsignor John Tosi, told The Post the new feature was to ensure financial transparency and not to shame parishioners into bigger offerings.
“The idea was to let them know where our money comes from and where it’s going, which is important,” Tosi said.
“We’re not embarrassing anybody, we’re not judging anybody,” he added. And if the efforts causes a parishioner to reach deeper into his pockets, “That’s not such a bad reaction, is it?”
What do you think? Good idea or bad?
What if your church put this in your weekly bulletin?
"Last Sunday, there were 661 offering envelopes turned into the offering. The denominations were as follows." Then a list showing how many people gave anywhere from the low end ($1) to the high end ($175) showing the actual breakdown is shown.
That's what St. Luke's Church in Queens, NY is doing every week.
According to a report in the NY Post, not everyone in the church likes the idea: "I don't like it," said Pat McGlinckey, 56. "It's like they're hitting below the belt to get us to give more."
"It just left a bad taste in my mouth," said a 20-year churchgoer who didn't want to be named. "What someone gives is their personal business. They shouldn't be made to feel bad that they're on the lower end of the spectrum."
Comments
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jonathan on Tue, February 24, 2009
I’ve attended churches in the past where it was common to have empty envelopes in the offering. I guess the status that goes with dropping something in the bucket was pretty important, huh?
Jeffrey on Tue, February 24, 2009
If there’s no names published, then it shouldn’t be a problem. At first I was under the assumption they were listing the names of the people besides the denomination giving. Then I read a bit deeper…
I think it’s good to show the people the reality of what’s coming in financially and how. My question is: how different is this from printing in the weekly bulletin what came in compared to the weekly budget. In my opinion, not much difference.
Jeff on Tue, February 24, 2009
I have no problem with it as long as their Pastor is willing to disclose how much he gives to his church and other ministries. I’m sure that giving to his own church is easy for pastors, but perhaps many pastors would be just as embarrassed when disclosing how much they give to other ministries.
Live Intentionally on Tue, February 24, 2009
That’s an OK idea, but what that church needs is some real boldness and creativity…
How about having a running total for that Sunday’s giving continually updated on the video screen throughout the service, kinda like a telethon?
Or maybe take a page out of the PGA’s book and have a “leaderboard” of the day’s top givers? Maybe there could be multiple offerings taken so a person could reclaim the lead if they had slipped down the leaderboard during the service.
- Paul
CS on Tue, February 24, 2009
Back in biblical times, tithes and offerings were often overt. I mean, if you were bringing an ox or two turtledoves to sacrifice, people knew pretty well what you had. You couldn’t exactly smuggle those under a robe. Even in Acts 4 & 5 we have people coming and laying up their offerings at the feet of the apostles.
But in today’s world, to even hint of what someone may bring is seen as rude, at the very least. Part of this is due to the call to give privately where the right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing, but part of this is also because in America this can be seen as being brash.
I recall one Sunday when, after our pastor gave the week’s budget for missions and ministry, someone offered a nice five-figure tithe to help offset the budget. While the person was not mentioned by name, the tithe was mentioned directly. It challenged me to look again at my motives and substance in tithing, and also to not look poorly upon a brother or sister who was able to show such charity.
I say, “good for this church,” for what they did. Sometimes we need a jolt to the system.
—
CS
Lukewarm Christianity on Tue, February 24, 2009
Just let people give what they want. Not out of guilt. The more their love grows for Jesus, the more they will give.
Peter Hamm on Tue, February 24, 2009
I think there are better ways to teach good stewardship, but this isn’t totally out of line.
Then again, you have to think if people aren’t giving, maybe you aren’t making a compelling argument for giving by the way you “do church”. You need to do a real 360 degree review of what you’re doing.
But I’m starting to think this kind of thing is a good idea.
I’ve agreed with CS twice in two days. What’s wrong with me!
CS on Tue, February 24, 2009
Peter:
“I’ve agreed with CS twice in two days. What’s wrong with me!”
Two options:
I’m sure you could find another thread on which I’ve been posting and we could disagree there.
or…
Don’t worry, you’ll get used to being right at some point.
=)
—
CS
bn on Tue, February 24, 2009
“Church Publishes How Greedy Their Leaders Are”
Mike on Wed, February 25, 2009
I think it is a great idea. As someone who works for the church we rely upon people’s offerings to pay our salaries, and I promise you I am not rolling in the dough. I think our society and many churches have watered down the idea of a tithe. We are meant to give God our first fruits and our best, not just whatever is leftover and what we have not managed to waste on something else.
Mark on Thu, February 26, 2009
Teach those greedy church leaders a lesson. Stop giving money to that church for at least a year. Give your tithes directly to the poor as Jesus commanded. Once the cash flow is interrupted you will find out exactly who is a true Christian leader in that church and who is just a money grubbing sleazebag.
Peter Hamm on Thu, February 26, 2009
Mark,
Many of us (most if not all I know) who are pastors in churches are not money-grubbing sleazebags. I am a second career minister and took an ENORMOUS pay cut a few years ago to enter the ministry. I am not in this for the money, and our church helps the poor directly in very significant ways.
I have no doubt there are “greedy” church professionals out there… I just haven’t met them yet, I guess…
Is this the same Mark from a few months ago?
Mark on Sat, February 28, 2009
Peter Hamm wrote:
>“Many of us (most if not all I know) who
>are pastors in churches are not money-
>grubbing sleazebags.”
Until you interrupt the cash flow for a year you will never know. The deception going on in Church is massive and you might find the true motives of the people standing next to be quite surprising.
>“I am a second career minister and took
>an ENORMOUS pay cut a few years ago…”
Good for you. I’ll bet your mother is proud!
I have never taken a dime from any Church. So, I guess, in theory Its impossible for me to take a pay cut.
Peter Hamm on Sat, February 28, 2009
Ahh…
It is the same Mark after all…
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