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Reagan said, As government expands, liberty contracts. It seems to me that, just as our national government in the US of A definitely would be much improved if it were made smaller and leaner, even so our cumbersome, top-heavy denominational governmental structure also would be greatly improved if it were made smaller and leaner. And the only way that the US Govt or any other organization will

OTCP in 5,4,3,2,1........................ Charles A. HutchinsSenior Pastor SPWCCongregational Church of Godwww.spwc.church

Re: Are We Really for Smaller Government in the Church?

[quote=Quiet Wyatt]Are We Really for Smaller Government in the Church?I don't think so. (rank and file yes, leadership, no Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/

but just to update something for you to consider:The AG has 12,897 churches as of 2015 and 37,000 ministers. Each church is required to give an annual Fellowship offering dependent upon its avg. Sunday am worship attendance, ie if you have 250 avg you are asked to give $100 to the General Council annually. In addition, it is RECOMMENDED (not required) that a local church give 1% of its annual General Fund income to the District (like Ohio or NC) annually. In addition, each of the AG credential holders pay to the General Council an amount varying by credential. Ordained ministers are required to give $360 per year and they must give 80% of the 10% regular tithe to their local District. That's it and it funds the District offices with a Supt. Asst Supt, Treasurer, Secretary and ministries support staff as well as funding the National Headquarters with the hundreds and hundreds of people who work there although some like the Missions Dept are paid thru other revenue streams like Missions etc.If the AG, as big as it is can do it for this amount of money why can't the COG do it also without overtaxing your local churches? It does give one pause. If we had to give 10% of our General Fund to the National Office it would overwhelm most of our churches and severely limit most of their ministry opportunities.

BJ mentioned something I did not know. That AG ministers were 'charged' (not a good word but I lose words at times) yearly for holding a license.It has been so long I cannot remember what I did in the COG. BUT as a North Carolina General Contractor I must pay a fee yearly to keep the license up to date. I am old now and may never build again, but I renew the license yearly. I never thought about a yearly fee for ministers. Methinks that if I still held license in the COG I would be 'agin it'! Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/

Well said QW! Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/

reductions are probably not a good idea in this era. A cap would be a better idea. 10% until inflation exceeded 3%. Then the difference added to the 10%. If inflation drops below 3% then the Tithes drops back to 10%.Remember inflation not only affects you and I but top managements goals as well.