Churches going bankrupt

[fccool]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122999261138328613.html

I know that the baptist church that I attended as teen is selling their boarding house just to stay afloat.

[Kountzer]

Some of the none sda mega churches in this area invested in some far flung enterprises, at least for a church. One particular church on the North side has developed housing subdivisions, with large 3 story homes, apartment complexes, a shopping strip, etc. I don't know that this church is under any duress because of the recession. I am sure there are others that attempted similar endeavors and are feeling the strain.

[fccool]

One of the sad things about the worldwide church funding is that most of the money comes from the US. When that will not be the case what effect do you think it will have on the worldwide church, where members are unable to contribute much?

dgrimm,

Can you give me a practical way of relying on Jesus in midst of a lost job and lack of home and money with a family to feed? I'm not saying that we should not rely on Jesus, but it became more of a slogan than a constructive and practical encouragement. Kind of like... I'll pray for you... to a hungry person. I appreciate your thought though.

[Stan]

One Church I know buys cemetery plots for their investment, have never lost money and the value increases of everyone not sold by everyone sold...

[Suzanne Sutton]

Several TV ministers have their own private jets, as well as fabulous mansions and luxury cars. I wonder how they are doing? Just doesn't seem to be right that while so many are losing jobs, houses, cars, etc. that these ministries should be in a position like this.

Indeed, when common folk send their finances to support these organizations, its usually for the spreading of the gospel and not to make the minister/leader rich.

I don't know if any SDA organization has a private jet, etc.

Suzanne

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

One thing in my memory really stands out from my college years when I carpooled with the niece of a Union President. She rode with us and we had to pick her up at her uncle's house. It was a mansion. I don't know how the top dogs in the church manage to live so well, but it certainly made an impression on me.

I know the regular pastorates don't make all that much. In order to send my nephew to academy my sis-in-law MUST work.

But , I don't think the church owns/leases its own jet. But I could be wrong.

[Beryl]

Quote:

and we had to pick her up at her uncle's house. It was a mansion.

Things are not always what they seem to be! I can only speak of what I know of what happens in this Division. Back in the 1950's up into the 1980/90's Conferences often owned houses that were available for ministers, for which they paid some rent. However, that cost the Conferences a lot for maintenance, etc.

At this stage, with few exceptions, housing is the personal responsibility of the ministers. At this time there was also a change in what financial help there was available in retirement.

These days, ministers look for houses to purchase, for which they can afford the repayments. They look for something that looks good, with a good resale value, because they know that (unless they are almost ready for retirement) they are sure to get a move, and need to resell the house. They need to purchase a house that is the very best that they can afford, in a good area, which they have good probablities of making a quick sale at some profit.

It could appear that they are trying to keep ahead of their parishioners, and while that could be in the minds of some, it is not in the thinking of ministers that I know.

Beryl

[fccool]

Yes, unfortunately many churches overextend themselves without a need to do so. I think the same goes for many Christian Universities and Colleges. Instead of concentrating efforts on lowering tuition and debt that the graduates end up with the colleges tend to improve their campuses with buildings that are expensive to maintain, but they feel would justify the additional tuition increases.

In times like these, I think it would be better for young people to get their education elsewhere than end up with 50k in debt with no prospect of being hired upon graduation. I really feel bad for these students now. It's a very difficult way to begin an adult life... especially if they are married and paying off a mortgage.