Benefits of Denominational Workes

[whbae]

I am gonna get a lot of hate mail by posting tis opinion from the denominational workers.

I just found out that those employed by our denomination have excellent benefits, among them is to get discounts for their kids on tuitions throughout our entire educational institutes. If this is true, I feel this sort of benefit is very unfair to non-denominational workers who are trying to send their kids to our church institutes. Those parents pay not only expensive full tuitions for their kids and they offer offerings to the church to support these benefits to those church workers! I feel this type of policy is extremely unfair practice. I really do not know what entitles them to get the discount on tuitions. I hope some enlighten me how fair this policy is.

Won

[Woody]

Quote:

I really do not know what entitles them to get the discount on tuitions.

Their JOB does.

I don't know what kinds of benefits your particular place of employment offers you - but it most certainly is probably more than what denominational workers get.

Let's not begrudge a fair wage for God's workers.

[M. T. Cross]

Why do grocery store clerks get discounts on food?

Same thing, they may work for the church, but its still their primary source of employment and many many places of employment offer perks and benefits.

[whbae]

Woody,

I am self employed and there is not a single benefit you are thinking. I guess it is the penalty one must pay if one is self employed.

Won

[Bravus]

Salaries of church workers are low. By all means get rid of the benefits... but if you do, you also have to pay them a fair wage.

In terms of net costs to the tithe-and-offering-payers, the current way is cheaper, since church employees work for low wages throughout their careers but only have kids in school for part of it.

If you're envious of the bennies, you could always take a church job...

[whbae]

Emptycross,

The grocery stores and not supported by members. It is ran by private entreprenuers.

The GC is supported by the church members donations.

Won

[whbae]

Bravus,

You are living in the past. Yes, it used to be lower than comparable non-sda business enterprises, but not any longer.

Won

[whbae]

Bravus,

I am not asking any one where I should get a job!

Won

[Bravus]

I'm not a denominational worker, so I have no dog in the fight, but I'd be interested to see some data rather than assertions on the wage equality thing.

Won, not suggesting you change your job, suggesting you change your mindset. Envy is ugly.

Or, you know, don't. Your choice.

[Woody]

From personal experience - I can tell you the denominational workers are not over-paid.

[M. T. Cross]

Emptycross,

The grocery stores and not supported by members. It is ran by private entreprenuers.

The GC is supported by the church members donations.

Won

Thats right, but your tithes and offerings are not being used in an innappropriate way in this case. They are not taking MORE money from you, they are offering these people a discount on something.

For the type of administrative type work these people do, I am pretty sure they are not even close to the wage that their counterparts doing the same type of work in the corprate world are making. They have dedicated their life to helping the church and you want to punish them for that?

Personally, I am not and Adventist so I really am not effected either way. But the Adventist church has moved well beyond the little wacky belief status into a respected and well known religion. In order to protect their intrests and keep it operating at peak efficiency it has to become somewhat of a corporation. So at times it has to act like one. If this is the worst example of that there is to offer then I think you should be on your knees thanking your God for the honesty and sacrifice those denominational workers are willing to make.

[Woody]

Thanks Empty Cross

[Gerr]

Quote:

I really do not know what entitles them to get the discount on tuitions.

Their JOB does.

I don't know what kinds of benefits your particular place of employment offers you - but it most certainly is probably more than what denominational workers get.

Let's not begrudge a fair wage for God's workers.

[Gerr]

For many if not most church workers, working for the church is a labor of love. So stop begruding their benefits. BTW, I was self-employed all my post-grad life.

[Gordon1]

..the Adventist church has moved well beyond the little wacky belief status into a respected and well known religion.

...that is not a healthy sign. Jesus had a wacky little religion as did the early Adventists.

Popularity with the world is no sign of God's approval. Rather, something to be feared.

[Gordon1]

I am gonna get a lot of hate mail by posting tis opinion from the denominational workers.

I just found out that those employed by our denomination have excellent benefits, among them is to get discounts for their kids on tuitions throughout our entire educational institutes. If this is true, I feel this sort of benefit is very unfair to non-denominational workers who are trying to send their kids to our church institutes. Those parents pay not only expensive full tuitions for their kids and they offer offerings to the church to support these benefits to those church workers! I feel this type of policy is extremely unfair practice. I really do not know what entitles them to get the discount on tuitions. I hope some enlighten me how fair this policy is.

Won

Won, Not sure if this practice is unfair, but it could be. It may depend upon region, conference or base salary.

In any case, the perquisites (additional benefits) of any church post must be made clear to all members. Nothing of such matters should be hidden from the body. Church policy should be transparent.

"All ye are brethren." Matthew 23:8.

[M. T. Cross]

Originally Posted By: EmptyCross

..the Adventist church has moved well beyond the little wacky belief status into a respected and well known religion.

...that is not a healthy sign. Jesus had a wacky little religion as did the early Adventists.

Popularity with the world is no sign of God's approval. Rather, something to be feared.

Depends on how you look at it. Do you want to reach people with your message? If so then respect is important. Popularity and respect are different animals.

[CoAspen]

[phkrause]

I'm in full agreement with Woody on this. When I worked for the denomination, we always were paid less that those not working for the denomination. Pay scale's were not the same, but I do have to say, I'm not sure about now. One of there compensations was there benefits, which I do agree were very good.

[nuff sed]

It is interesting to compare the retirement system of the Sheriff's department for which I am a volunteer Chaplain. I rode regularly with a deputy for about six years. Five years before his retirement(36 years) he entered what they called the Drop program in whch a certain amount was invested for him for retirement. When he retired a year ago they handed him $249,000 and $3000 a month pension. Makes my sustentation pension of about $1000 between the US and Canada seem kind of puny by comparison. Good thing I stayed with Social Security and my wife gets a similar amount as I do despite the fact that she earned $0 during the years of mission service. The GC told us that the "Call" was for both of us but only one got paid. She worked enough years here in the US afterward to even up our pensions. It was suggested that we invest in the Valic organization......and lost most of it.

I am not complaining...just telling it like it is... Nuff Sed

[Gordon1]

It's not likely many people will get their full pension from this time forward. Austerity measures are coming in like a flood for many nations. It's not possible that government expenditures, bailouts, wars and bank failures can continue without the bottom falling out.

If there's any group who has foreknowledge, SDAs are it.

It's time to get out of Dodge and plant some crops.

If not, might as well toss those little red books.

[Woody]

What are you plantin' Gordon. Got anything you might like to share?

[Gordon1]

It's all in the books.

[Woody]

So - I assume by that comment - that you are not personally doing as you say? No garden huh?

[Gerr]

Yeah, I got out of Dodge. We have almost an acre. I've planted fruit trees, grapes, & I have a garden. Unfortunately, I got nothing from my fruit trees and grapes this year. I planted, and the crows harvested.