In the post about Alan's concert, I made a comment about our pastor, and said that that was another post. So here it is.
Actually, I'm not sure if this is directed at the pastor or just the head committee of our church, but we found out tonight (even though we weren't supposed to) that for the next 4 weeks, the air conditioner will be turned off during the worship services in order to make a point & push people to tithe. It was actually supposed to begin today, which would have meant the concert would have been an inferno, but one of our friends who is on staff made sure that didn't happen - thank God!!
Anyway, what is your reaction to this kind of ploy to get people to give? Does it make anyone else as angry as it does me?
Oh, and you should know that while the church is suffering financially to the point where this kind of crap is being done, the entire staff is being sent to Kansas City to some dumb conference at another church. From what I've heard, the classes at this conference don't really fit most of the staff members or their jobs, but they are all going anyway! That's airfare, hotel, conference fees, meals, etc. And yet they are going to hold our cool air for ransom.
Is it just me?
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Grace is the acceptance of that which is rejected. ~Paul Tillich
At my old church, we kept having problems with the gas furnace, but there was never a chance to convert to electric heating because of money problems.
Yet, it had the money to brick the church walls, repave the church parking lot, put in a new ceiling and lights for the outdoor pavilion, AND set up a 10 Commandment display made from one giant headstone!
And the old people kept complaining about the lack of heat in the winter and the smell of gas that would hang in the air all Sunday morning! GOOD GRIEF!
You really need to remind the pastor that Scripture tells us to "give willingly and not under compulsion" The last church I went to did not pass the plate. It had offering plates in the lobby, and if people wanted to give, then they gave. Your pastor needs to start trusting that God can provide for the needs of the church, and your pastors methods are only showing his lack of trust in God. He needs to re examine his faith pretty quick.
As it turns out, the story I was told was GREATLY exaggerated. The Board of Stewards, not the pastor, made this decision. The air will not be turned off, just turned up. And it will not be for 4 weeks.
I still don't agree with the tactics, but it not as bad as it first seemed. Teddy said that if you want to increase revenues, you improve your product. That's what our church leaders need to remember!!
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Grace is the acceptance of that which is rejected. ~Paul Tillich
