Acts20.com

I was looking at Bonnie's post about salary disclosures that has received so many views and comments. It reminded me that so often we lead from fear. It all started with Adam. He felt the need to cover and he was afraid for the first time. Whenever we lead from fear, we are trying to place limits upon God and upon God's people.Churches/pastors don't disclose the finances of the church to the people because they are afraid. They're afraid the people will become disgruntled if they know how their money is being spent. They miss out on a real blessing. I have found that financial accountability and transparency have never affected me adversely. Quite the opposite. People give joyfully when they know they can trust their leaders.The same goes for the tithing issue. I think many of our leaders understand and realize that tithing is not binding upon the NT church. But out of fear, we won't publicly take a position on that. Why? It's obvious. We are afraid that people won't give. The law will always backfire on you. Give a man a law, and he will keep it but do no more. Give a man grace, and he will give you the best he's got. I know people that will give their 10 percent, but God forbid you should expect anything else from them.

As the one poster in Bonnie's little thread

who has taken the position of NOT revealing salaries let me address a couple of points. As to your idea of grace giving, we teach that very thing. Our income has increased nearly every year I have pastored here (over 16 years). In fact, at the offering time, the people applaud and clap because they GET to give! We teaching tithing as a principle, not a law. Sowing begets reaping but we don't give to get, we give as an act of faith, love for God and acknowledgment that HE is our only source. We have a declaration we read about that prior to taking the offering. We are 99% accountable to our people financially. They can see every dime spent and received, they only cannot see specific salaries and no one has ever questioned it or asked to know. If they did, they would be given general numbers. A total spent on salaries is reported and if you read thru the thread you would see how much we spend here on a large staff and I responded on this thread my specific salary ($200 month). It is not fear that keeps us from reporting per se, although some one would likely be offended to know how much some people make as it might be more than their salary. WHy go there? Why do you care? IF you trust your leaders and you can see where all the money in any category is spent why do you need a specific salary information? That's not your business nor do you need to know. That's just curiosity not necessary information. As you said, trust is what is necessary - from both quarters.

Yes. The God in us is fearless I'm not saved because I'm good. I'm saved because He's good!My website: www.bradfreeman.comMy blog: bradcfreeman.tumblr.com/

Very well stated. I do know for sure in some cases (maybe not Bro. James's church and group. that is not a slap BTW) but in many cases that is absolutely true. I have been told that by friends, so I know for a fact it does exist and happen. Fear of disclosure is a truth. I am not saying it is widespread, just stating I KNOW what you say in the post is true in some cases I know of. That is a shame. I believe in transparency from the local church to the national church. We members are not stupid. Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/

Bump!