Printing offering amounts in the bulletin

[Pastor Bill]

I truly believe the church's finances should be open to members, but I do not believe in advertising them openly.

Our business meetings are open to all members, (and actually if a visitor or guest wants to come we wouldn't chase them off) in the business meeting we do a financial report that includes a pie chart of what has been spent in each of a list of categories we use. Nothing is spent outside of those categories. If someone wants more details on that, we will gladly provide it. We don't provide a full list of every check written and deposit made because most don't want or need that much detail, and there are some situations that are should be handled confidentially. For example, we have a category for "New Life Care" where we have helped church families in times of need. this has ranged from keeping someone's heat on in the winter, replacing a hot water heater for a family when theirs went out and they had no way to replace it, etc. We help when we can, but also keep those situations confidential within our pastoral committee.

I understand wanting to be open, and I fully agree with that, but openness should never embarrass your people or advertise your struggles. Many people don't realize the money it takes to keep a church going, and putting the information out to visitors and those that don't take the time to know more, only will cause problems regardless of if your finances are low, or are flowing over.

Keep the focus on Christ, not the money, that can be hard enough to do without dragging it into your Sunday morning service!

[Darling]

Posting the total amounts coming in and compare them to the needs in that local church seems ok in order to help people be aware of finances; however do not like anyone's name printed. when we give, we give to God and it is no one else's business. (just my opinion.)

[Cpt. Jack]

The event I spoke of was not a one time event. It has ran for mounths. For all I know it still is. Several have complained about it but to no avail. The Overseer wants all to see. If I was a welcher on the pledge it would be embarassing.

But who cares.


Cpt Jack