The $6000 Disney Vacation and $1736 Cell Phone Bill
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Sun, September 11, 2005
- Viewed 202
- (78) comments so far
Take, for example, a recent article I read this week from a regional newspaper. To save some embarrassment, I'll not disclose the location, the church, or the people involved; but what happened is chilling; and in my opinion, sickening. (Please note that these details come from newspaper reports on what is alleged to have happened in this instance.)
Let's set the stage. A pastor is at a church of around 250 people. And he's been there for a significant period of time. But he leads a secret life. And no one at his church knows about what's really going on in the life of their pastor.
In 2003, the pastor uses church funds to pay $600 of his son's college tuition; $100 to a hairdresser; and even doubled his paycheck one month. No one noticed. Oh, and he took his family to Disneyland on a $6,000 vacation. Still, no one was the wiser.
Everyone in the congregation was unaware that their pastor filed for bankruptcy in 2004 to protect himself from 160 creditors. (that's one hundred and sixty creditors!)
Through this whole period of time; this pastor continues to pastor the flock, visit the sick, teach the Word... you know, the things church leaders do every day. And no one has a clue.
Still after all this, the pastor paid $20,000 of church funds for a wedding. Still, no red lights for anyone in the congregation.
Remember, this all happened in a church of 250 people.
The alleged misuse of money surfaced only when a new church secretary began getting calls from collection agencies about unpaid church bills. Upon checking the details, up to $100,000 is missing and unaccounted for.
How could this happen? How could one pastor be left so unaccountable?
It was really very simple: He had sole access to the bank account.
The pastor was immediately fired (although regional denominational officials wanted to put him on administrative leave. They still pay his rent, utilities, and health insurance). Why did this happen? Three real reasons, I think:
1. The Ignorance of the Church's Governing Board
You know... I don't think ignorance is a strong enough word here. The newspaper report said, "Because [the pastor] had sole control of church accounts, officials didn't know how he was spending the money." There was NO accountability. He was paying his own salary; church bills; and doing a little here and there on the side because he didn't think he'd get caught. Again, according to the news report, the pastor never even turned in any bank statements. The church's co-treasurer (I assume this was a figurehead position) didn't want to comment much.
Another example: The church's co-treasurer said that the church board did agree to pay the pastor's phone bill; but was appalled to find out that the bill was for $1700+ dollars. According to the board member, he had no idea it had gotten that high. Huh?!
So the leadership of this local body totally botched this one. The lesson learned: " A future pastor will no longer have total control of church accounts. Instead, checks will be signed by himself, the other co-treasurer and another church official."
2. The Calloused Heart of a Pastor
Sin has a strange way of slowly working it's way in to your life until (if left unchecked) it will control you. The small $100 payments to hairdressers lead to a $6,000 vacation, followed by a $20,00 wedding. I'm sure that this pastor would never have guessed a few years ago that he would become so involved in this one sin. But he did. He hid it; and continued to feed it. Before long it was out of control. Eventually someone had to find out.
3. An Apathetic/Unknowing Congregation
Unfortunately, there was no one close enough to this pastor (whether on the church board or just a friend in the congregation) who knew of his plight. No one was there to see the cracks in the armour. No one was a close enough friend to see that he was living beyond his means. And if they were there, they remained silent. The co-treasurer of the church said he was suspicious of the pastor's spending a few years ago, but said it isn't easy to suspect a preacher of wrongdoing. No, it's not. And evidently it was too hard for anyone who had any concerns to approach the subject.
So, why does this make me so upset?
Because this happens over and over again. And it happens in small churches and large churches. And because I've lived through a situation just like this in a church (probably a couple of them in my lifetime).
You see, this happens with all kinds of sin... money, sexual sins, integrity issues, etc. And it happens over and over again.
I write this so that this doesn't happen to you.
I write this so that this doesn't happen to your church.
Set up parameters. Protect yourself before any problems happen. Do it today. I mean, right now.
If you have total control of the church checkbook; get someone else into the loop.
If you have total control of the church's internet and computers, install some accountability software.
If you do counseling with the opposite sex, make sure all protection is taken... open doors, another person in the building, etc.
That way, you can not be accused of something that you didn't do. And you'll safeguard yourself against the temptations that grabbed this pastor by the neck.
Sorry to rant; but this seems so logical to me. Protect yourself and your church. Keep your staff members accountable. And submit to the accountability of your board. It can save your job, your marriage, and your future. It's that important.
I'm sorry, but I just get really tired of reading stories like this from all over the country every week.
Today's deep thought: Don't be Stupid.
FOR DISCUSSION: Wow... I'd like to hear your comments on any aspect of this article. Could this have happened in your church? What kind of things are you unprotected from right now? What will you do to change it? Is your board too controling or too lenient? How do you think this church's/pastor's problems could have been avoided.
Todd
We often hear about mega-church pastors that fall from grace. Sexual affairs; pornography; financial and integrity issues are all major reasons that many influential church leaders have fallen over the years. Many times we feel think that it’s easier for the large and powerful to fall; but that’s just not true…
Comments
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Pastor Proseus on Mon, September 12, 2005
When I accepted the call to my church the first thing I did was call for an audit of the church books. The treasurer was reluctant, to say the least, about allowing that process to take place. To make a long story short between the treasurer and the previous pastor a significant amount of money was embezzeled from the church. We as a church elected to love our way through the situation and not proceed in any litigation. I straight away set in place an accouting system where #1 the pastor had no access, signature, or even a key to the file cabinet where the church check book was kept locked up on site. #2 where a minimum of two signatures (not from the same family) had to be on every check written. #3 each bank statement and check has to be reviewed by whomsoever is in the finance ministry, but did not sign the check. #4 every statement is balanced to the computer, the bank, and reconciled to the register. #5 all deposits are counted by two and never the same two people every Sunday and put in the night deposoit right after church on Sunday morning. #6 we have policy of public accounting where our books are open for inspection by any member of the church at any time. #7 we issue a treasurer’s report to every member that lists all transactions for every month including year to date assets and liabilities.
Naturally I maintain a voice in the stewardship of the church finances, but have no accessability to the actual spending process. This protects the pastor and maintains an accoutability level among those who do have direct acess to the churches finances.
I would not be so quick to beat up this pastor for his appaling lack of integrity. Romans 2:1-2 basicly tells us that anyone could have done what he did - especially some of us stone casters. He needs to reacess his call to the ministry that is for sure. Forgiveness is what the whole nailed to the cross thing is all about though.
Dana on Mon, September 12, 2005
My husband and I are worship leaders in a church plant in Texas. We have been with the church for almost 2 years now and the pastor and his wife have been completely in charge of the finances from the beginning. This issue has been addressed on several occasions by members of the church and the elders and deacons as well, asking that the finances be turned over to someone else. That has yet to happen and in my opinion that is a dangerous place to position yourself as the pastor of the church, especially when there are no financial statements presented that show where the money is being spent. The people of the church are the ones who support the church through their tithes and offerings and I believe the pastor has to be accountable as to where that money goes if he is controlling it. The situation that I see now and have seen in the past in church plants is that pastors who come away from “traditional” church where everything had to be approved by a “committee”....and I mean even the smallest things, finally experience freedom when they plant a church and that includes freedom with where to spend money. Once they have control of the checkbook, it is hard to take it back which is the case in our church.
I do not think that our pastor is abusing his position with the checkbook, however I have no idea where that money goes, other than for salaries, and neither does anyone else in the church. So…if the time comes that the finances come under question, the pastor has put himself in a very vulnerable position by not being accountable with the church finances. A scary place to be!
Phil Wilson on Mon, September 12, 2005
A congregation of 250 that allows or demands that the pastor be all and do all is either very imature, not knowing their responsibilities, or extremely lazy because they have hired someone to do it for them. Pastors are frail like everyone else. Accountability in not a noose to stangle but rather a welcome harness to aid in overcoming temptations.
Chuck Nation on Mon, September 12, 2005
Pastors should not count the money, nor deposit the money, nor sign checks, etc. Don’t touch the money! go ahead and make sure you oversee the finances so you know what’s going on. But set the example—use the purchase requistions, purchase order numbers, etc. It IS stupid for any preacher to get tangled up in church money—NO excuses. Preachers, you WILL get caught and be ruined if you don’t set up proper parameters. People love to catch ministers having money troubles and woman troubles. Paul told Timothy to FLEE! ‘nuff said.
Garry Hickman, M.Div. on Mon, September 12, 2005
So sadly true. Yet a temptation that every minister – ESPECIALLY those just starting out – can expect to face.
Satan tries to trip us up usually in three basic areas: money, power, and the misuse of sex. If he can’t make you stumble and fall in the one area, he’ll move on to the next. He will attempt to get you going down the road this pastor travelled. If he can’t successfully pull you that direction, he’ll hit you with pride, and get you to misuse the influence and authority you have as a minister. If you escape him there as well, he’ll double his efforts and give you a roving and lecherous eye, and do all in his power to get your feet to go along with those eyes!
What grand fortune that satan’s success is not guaranteed!
“There hath no temptation taken you but as such as is common to man: but GOD IS FAITHFUL, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (I Corinthians 10:13)
I note that, if you HAVE fallen into the snare of the enemy of our souls (“temptation TAKEN you”), then the previous verse declares that there is a way out. One translation of Isaiah’s prophecy says “The Spirit of the LORD is upon me…to tell the prisoner ‘THE DOOR IS OPEN; you can come out anytime you want to.” There IS a way back into our Lord’s good favor, and that is on our knees in repentance, regardless of which trap to which we might have succumbed.
It is my sincere belief, based on the Word of God and on personal experience, that the reason ministers fall so frequently is because we have lost the art of prayer. Jesus warns us, “Watch and pray, that ye ENTER NOT into temptation.” (Matt. 26:41) By watching out for satan’s snares in our pathway, by not forsaking our vigil in the prayer closet, we do not have to fall in this respect. What grand news!
Who conquers these temptations? “Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? ... He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart ... This is the generation of THEM THAT SEEK HIM, THAT SEEK THY FACE ... “ (Psalm 24:3–6)
And let’s not forget we have someone praying for us:
“...Behold, satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I HAVE PRAYED FOR THEE, that THY FAITH FAIL NOT…” (Luke 22:31f)
“Wherefore he is able also to save them TO THE UTTERMOST that come unto God by him, seeing HE EVER LIVETH TO MAKE INTERCESSION FOR THEM.” (Hebrews 7:25)
Let me ask you: Do you believe that the Father hears the prayers of God the Son? How does it make you feel that Jesus Himself LIVES to pray for YOU? This excites me. As David once said, “This knowledge is too wonderful for me.”
I guess if there’s anything I want to convey here, brethren, it’s the closing exhortation of the above-quoted Psalm 24: “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD STRONG AND MIGHTY, the LORD MIGHTY IN BATTLE. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even ift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory….”
Bruce on Mon, September 12, 2005
I find it hard to believe that a congregation would want the pastor or any other individual to have complete control over the finances of the church, I find it even harder to believe that any pastor would accept that responsibility. The pastor should certainly preach on giving and financial responsibility, as well as set a good example, but to hold the purse strings is not a good thing for the pastor, he has too many other responsibilities.
Dr. Kermit P. Soileau on Mon, September 12, 2005
In 30 years I have never pastored a church which did not have the answer to this problem: a COMPLETE, detailed financial report presented to the church in business session every month. In point of practical fact, the pastor BELONGS to the church and EVERY church member has a right to know how ALL of the money is spent - even salary and benefits. Who knows, when church members compare their pastor’s package to their own renumeration, they might just give him a raise!
Dr. Kermit P. Soileau on Mon, September 12, 2005
Re: Chuck Nations: The statement, “People love to catch ministers having money troubles and woman troubles,” may be true about “people” in the general public, but I have not found it to be true about genuine Christians in God’s church.
E. Nelson on Mon, September 12, 2005
Where does God fit into all of this? I don’t spend a lot of time reading Internet blogs or “Fwd” e-mails. I have read this blog up until the posting by Todd Rhoades, Sept 12, 2005 10:52:33AM. I find all of this communiqué discouraging and depressing. I have read words and language that would not have been presented in a Bible lesson or a sermon from the pulpit. I have not seen reference to scripture or teachings of Christ. I feel sometimes that I have either lived in a vacuum or simply believed that somehow the Church would always be a place that is a safe haven, or refuge. Reading what I read today makes me want to agree with the person who no longer meets in an organized assembly called “church”, but instead, meets with people and does ministry outside of the church. Sounds like the book of Acts?
I am a pastor. While serving in the military, my wife and I gave ourselves to the ministry before ever being called to the place of vocational ministry. I spent 15.5 years in the military where I was trained to not be alone when counseling others; I was trained to be accountable for not only what I am trusted with, but, to be accountable for what I do; I was also trained to realize that others depend on what I do and sometimes they depend on what I don’t do. I was trained to develop character and integrity along with the greatest of character: “Honor.” Coupled with this is a calling from God to serve Him through the ministry. The outcome was that I left the military, went to seminary and was trained to pastor a church that does not exist.
I believe that scripture is absolute truth, all of it. Therefore I have tried to live by the guidelines of scripture and follow the teachings and practices thereof. I have not always been perfect, and will not be until I stand in front of Christ in the Kingdom. I certainly long for that day. Along the way, I have abandoned my family to serve others. Jesus said to do this (Luke 14:26-27), so I did. I did this because I love God and I love people. I have canceled appointments with my son or wife because a church member needed me. In the end, they wiped their feet on me and my family when I did not produce what they wanted. Now I am left with a wife who loves God but has been damaged by what is supposed to be the most sacred institution, the church. Her dad who lives in Canada is dying and we can’t drop and go see him. He may die before she gets to see him again and this is wounding my heart. My son has watched 3 churches attack our family and rip us to shreds because someone did not like us and the church would not protect us. He now has a bruised view of the church. Church is not what it once was when he was a child. I have had people say this is my fault because I did not have boundaries. Yet, when a pastor sets boundaries he is criticized. When a pastor reserves time for his family he is not faithful to the church. I have built boundaries of accountability into my ministry. I will not be alone in counseling with anyone, man or woman. I have had men and women use what I say to gain their own destructive power perch. They have reserved conversations like trump cards to use against me. I do not take anything monetarily that was not agreed upon by the church when I was called. In my last move, some items were packed that belonged to the previous church. When this was discovered as we unpacked, I personally paid to have these items returned with a note of regret for them being packed. I will not handle the money or the church checkbook. I refer people to the offering plate when they hand me offerings. I believe that one day, I will stand before the Lord, and He will ask me, “What did you do with my Church?” On that day, I do not want any regrets. I would however, like to hear the responce of deacons and old women who have been vicious to my family in order to hurt me, when Jesus asks them, “What did you do with my shepherd?”
I am searching for the church (Congregation) that wants to sink its life in doing ministry, not just for the lovely or likeable. I am searching for the church that wants to do missions and train others to do the same. I am searching for the church that wants to do real evangelism for people’s sake, not numbers in a report. I am searching for the church that cries for others rather than rejecting them. A church that encourages freedom of worship of God. A church that thrives on a close relationship with the Lord, not the things of the past. A church with purpose not pride. A church that loves people, no matter what their net-worth or title may or may not be. A church that loves its pastor and his family as if they belong. Does it exist? What I have read on this blog says that we are moving to a place where neither church or pastor will ever be trusted again. I will give my life for the church that Jesus built. The church that wants to leave a mark in this world by making disciples, training them, sending them out. A church that loves people when it is hard and not just easy. A church that gives its life away rather than preserving itself for a rainy day. Does it exist?
flockdoc on Mon, September 12, 2005
Wow! So many passionate responses!
Hard to imagine that out of 250 people nobody had a clue. Perhaps a pastor that was that audacious was also a bit intimidating to approach. It happens.
It also speaks a great deal about the leadership of the church (or lack thereof). It takes the right kind of environment for that kind of character (or lack of it) to flourish.
While there is no question this situation is/was way out of line…I would imagine there are many more churches who abuse their pastors financially than there are pastors who abuse the congregation’s finances. Either one is sinful.
Satan doesn’t really care which side of the boat we fall out of.
“Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world…”
Philippians 2:14,15
We live among “crooks and perverts.” The warning goes for shepherds…and for sheep.
Justin on Mon, September 12, 2005
It’s a truly sad situation and a good story to teach from.
But as I understand it, your knowledge of these issues comes from someone else’s work—and likely—hard work.
I’m a reporter and I would find it very offensive if someone used my reporting to base an article on like this and then won’t give me or my employer the credit due to save someone embarrassment. You’re merciful to this Pastor, yet highly unfair to the reporter who worked hard to gather this information.
Perhaps I’m wrong, and after you read the article you did your own independent reporting. If that’s so, then please forgive me. Maybe you even had permission from the reporter to forgo giving credit. If that’s true, again, forgive me.
Otherwise, give the reporter and its paper the credit they deserves for their work. It’s not fair of you to take it from them.
Sheila on Mon, September 12, 2005
This is amazing to me. Sadly, I am not so surprised at the indiscretions. I am apalled at how much worse what I recently experienced is.
I’ve seen…mortgage payments in the 5 figure range (for the pastor’s home). Spouse salary for no work done. Trips to Las Vegas, Tahiti and Florida paid for out of the operating account (within a 2 month period). Money wired ($5000) to the pastor’s wife on a vacation with no explanation. Covering the pastor’s children’s daycare and schooling out of the general budget. Funding the startup cost ($20k) of the pastor’s business out of the general budget. An “expectation” of a $40k “gift” for his pastoral anniversary and a “willingness” to accept payments from the church because far less than that was raised during the “celebration”. This in a church less than 10 yrs old with about 400 members.
I really could go on. The interesting thing is this goes on WITH an “accountability structure” in place. An accountant and assistant accountant on staff. A deacon’s board that reviews a budget and expenditures. A board of advisors, etc. The trouble is that religious spin is put on his need and right to do as he does and the people in position find a way to justify it. In some cases, merely accept weak explanations for things that just don’t make sense because they are afraid of confronting the pastor or the system. The accountant is weighted with knowing all the details and just does what he is told. Any different response is viewed and suggested disobedience and questioning authority. He fears spiritual punishment.
Weak people in place? Of course! He appointed them for that reason. While I certainly agree that there have to be measures put in place to protect the church (people and pastors), systems can be worked around. As it has already been said, it’s a heart matter. Certainly pastors are human as are congregants. The common goal of wholeness and truth has to come into play somewhere. The issue of forgiveness and restoration? I hope so, but I believe that even begins with an admission of a problem. I spoke with this pastor about some of the issues - just really advising him to discuss some solutions with some of his peers or elders. I was told I misunderstood what was really going on and that he’s not perfect. The long story short is, there is no recognition of any wrongdoing and no apparent intention to change. I love this man as my brother in Christ, but can’t really trust his leadership right now. He is slipping in many areas resultant of the core of his problem. I’ve left this church - working there and worshipping there - and continue to pray for he and his family.
Bernie Dehler on Mon, September 12, 2005
Chuck Nation said:
“Pastors should not count the money, nor deposit the money, nor sign checks, etc. Don’t touch the money! go ahead and make sure you oversee the finances so you know what’s going on. But set the example—use the purchase requistions, purchase order numbers, etc. It IS stupid for any preacher to get tangled up in church money—NO excuses.”
This is so simple, yet so powerful. If this was practiced as conventional wisdom, the church would be so much more purer!
I also strongly agree with Dr. Kermit:
“In point of practical fact, the pastor BELONGS to the church and EVERY church member has a right to know how ALL of the money is spent - even salary and benefits. Who knows, when church members compare their pastor’s package to their own renumeration, they might just give him a raise!”
Exactly! Most Pastors are underpaid, and the financial abuses of the few popular ones give everyone a black-eye… that’s what fuels me to expose the abusers.
...Bernie
http://www.freegoodnews.com
Gabe Ibarra on Mon, September 12, 2005
I was deeply saddened when I read your article; not only because it is so sad and tragic, but also because sin has so brazenly become the norm in christian society. These past few years have found us in an epidemic of church money mismanagement, divorce (of which I am a not-so-proud member), and tolerance of secularism. We as christians have been admonished in Philipians 2:12 to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. We have to stop “pointing the finger of blame” on others and take a good, hard look at ourselves.
Like everyone else, I agree that it is so sad that the pastor in the article didn’t have any friends close enough to him to minister God’s grace to him in love. God hates sin but not the sinner. Just as He did, we must also love one another enough to set each other straight in love, ever building each other up and sharpening each other by the Word of God.
I have been challenged by this article to be more aware of my surroundings and to be sensitive to God’s direction in addressing things like this, being ever aware that it must be done in love as to bring about God’s purpose, not my own.
Peace, y’all!
Mike Norton on Mon, September 12, 2005
It seems that this pastor fell into sin and it snow-balled on him. The lack of relationship, which should be initiated by the pastor himself, is the real problem. Without real relationships that are driven by accountability and what I call requirability, this could happen to any of us. But we have to remember that this pastor, even though he knew better and should have never let this happen, is still one of Christ’s sheep. I believe that Christ is going after him to restore him to the flock and we ought to as well, in prayer if we do not know him and in graceFULL action if we do know him. Either way, he needs restoration in his life.
Pastor Mike
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