What Do You Think Churches Do with The Money They Collect
by I have observed that a common complaint about churches is that they are always asking for money. So I posed this question in the Triond forum: “I would like to know from people who do not attend church regularly – what do you think that the money is used for?
Practically speaking, however, the local church does need a place to meet. It doesn’t have to be the most elegant building in town, but it does need to be big enough and have the facilities necessary for the daily needs of the congregation.
I have heard the accusation that churches are the most wasted real estate in any city or town. That could be the case if a church building only opens its doors on Sunday morning. I have not come across many of those. Most churches are busy places six or seven days a week. Pastors usually have an office in the church building, where they do counselling, meet with committees and prayer groups, as well as a place to keep the library of books they need to write sermons. These days most pastors keep a computer in their office as well. There is usually a reception area, and larger churches will often have a finance office, an administration office, and a board room – all of which are buzzing at least five days a week.
Our church building happens to be one of the biggest buildings in town, so the community rents or borrows our facilities for weddings, funerals, blood donor clinics, events of all kinds, and emergency situations. Recently, the town used our church building as a kind of task force central when two young women went missing and police and volunteers needed a meeting place.
Our church also houses a private school with about 230 students (I used to teach there). As the school and church have grown, countless renovation and building projects have been needed. In my opinion poll, BradONeill pointed out that “when a church spends money on building a temple that money goes right to the community. Someone has to build these things creating jobs.”
Brad also commented, “I don’t think it matters at all to non church goers what a church spends its money on. People that claim they aren’t giving money to a church because of where the money is spent are probably just making excuses. I used to give money to a church regularly and then when I became unhappy I gave money elsewhere. There are a ton of ways you can give it doesn’t have to go through a church.”
I think Brad is right. People who claim that their reason for not attending church is that churches are always asking for money are probably using this as an excuse. After all, your money is yours to do what you want with it. If money really is the issue that is keeping you from attending church, then, by all means – just let the collection plate pass by. This issue is between you and God, and I am pretty sure that He would rather have your soul than your money.
Liked it
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Post CommentPR Mace
On August 17, 2009 at 12:31 pm
I love the thought that God is all around us and we need not a church house to worship him in. I once heard someone said, ” Look under a rock, at the lines in a leaf, the path a river is flowing and in these you will find God”. Now back to money. My favorite church was a Navy church on the base in Corpus Christi, Texas. The base paid for the upkeep of the church and the pastors pay as he was active duty. Every 3 months we had a meeting and the amount of money the church had taken in was put before us with a list of charities and how much should go to each one. We voted on it or add new ones. I loved the way God used my money in that church and I loved to give it.
Alistair Briggs
On August 17, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Another great write from a wonderful author
like the way you get your point across without pushing it to extremes. Keep it up
Daisy Peasblossom
On August 17, 2009 at 9:49 pm
Thoughtfully and warmly written. Churches are made up of and run by people, so how well donations are spent pretty much depends on the community.
Goodselfme
On August 18, 2009 at 1:22 am
I am so glad I read your posts. They always feed me just what I need. Yes, God wants our souls and not the money.
AngelicaRaene
On August 18, 2009 at 1:30 am
I commend you on a very informative and thought provoking article. I encourage you to keep writing articles like this, because though it is a somewhat controversial topic, you mold the words into a non-threatening form of getting your point across.
WriteEditSeek
On August 23, 2009 at 6:30 pm
I really enjoyed this article, Karen. What churches are doing with the money they collect has always been a big question of mine. My experience with this question, however, is pretty much limited to the LDS church. Mormons are required to give 10% of their earnings to the church. This raises a few red flags for me. 1) There is a specified amount that the faithful must give in order to remain in good standing in the church. 2) The church won’t disclose exactly what all the money is being used for. 3) The LDS church is one of the faster growing and more profitable churches in the world. The church is very active in for-profit activities. As an illustration of this, the church is heavily involved in real estate in Salt Lake City. The church even owns a street in the downtown heart of the city that used to be a public street. There has also been a huge controversy over the amount of money the LDS church has used to support its political agenda, especially as it relates to its opposition to gay marriage. However, I must also add that the LDS church is heavily involved in humanitarian efforts, so some of the money it collects is undoubtedly going towards that as well. It does worry me, though, that churches are not completely pure in their intentions and are not always using money for the best possible ends.
Homie
On September 18, 2009 at 2:48 pm
I like the episode of “The Simpsons” where Homer helps build a church. When it’s finished, he says “I don’t know much about God, but we sure built a nice cage for him!”
Jesus never mentioned going to a church, but he did talk a lot about how we treat the poor, the sick, the outcast. Money for that new youth building could be used to obey Jesus and help people. He said to go out into all the world. A church keeps people out of the world, focused on themselves and each other.
I think when Jesus comes back, he’ll see all these expensive buildings with crosses on them, feel how the people in them have been trying to crucify gays, atheists, non-believers etc. and show them for what they are – modern day manifestations of everything he preached against.
Karen Gross
On September 18, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Homie: thanks for the comment. I wonder if you read in the gospels about the woman who took an alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured the whole thing on Jesus’ feet. Judas reprimanded her for not selling the perfume and giving the money to the poor. Jesus said to leave her alone – she was preparing him for burial.
Did you notice where Jesus went every Sabbath day while he was on the earth? No matter what town he was in, he went to the local synagogue. A church building. The new youth building may be the place where local youth are introduced to Christ, not to mention that a youth building could prevent crime by giving young people a positive place to be.
“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching” . We don’t need expensive buildings, but we do need a place to meet.
Jesus never preached tolerance, just love. He was quite clear about what sin is, and He said that He is the only way to the Father. The other side of mercy is justice – whoever does not accept mercy will be given judgement instead.
razumtina
On October 23, 2009 at 4:33 pm
I like your article….
Litesp33d
On November 20, 2009 at 10:12 pm
How come this all powerful, all knowing being always needs more money.No matter how much is given it is never enough. From what I can see it is the biggest money making scam ever. Most of the money goes to generate more mugs to give even more money.Very little goes on good works compared to what is used in the Churches themselves.
Why do these bogus businesses get tax exempt status? If any other business promised so much and delivered so little its owners would be in jail, but not the church.
As there is no god and jesus never existed (do your own research. stop being spoon fed nonsense like a child) what a con.