Bling Bling in the Holy of Holies
When I worked in a church not so very long ago I was amazed at how much money was spent on “ministry”. In particular pastor salaries. I do not know if having high salaries is the norm in other churches, but where I was…
The youth pastors always had the bling bling. That is they bought houses, always had the latest technology, traveled extensively (and even used the church to fund personal trips), and never really worked.
They were required to spend a certain amount of time in the office, but always seemed to be in coffee shops with the youth kids. Now do not get me wrong here I think spending time with the youth is a great thing and in fact I admire people who do that, but using it as a way to get out of being responsible…umm. The time spent in coffee shops was paid by the church, the gas money, the food, and any time with one kid counted towards money in their pockets.
Parents brought the youth pastors food on a daily basis. It was literally a parade of food. Cooked food that had instructions of how long to heat it, frozen food with gift cards, invitations to dinner, and more. I am pretty sure the four years I worked there the youth pastors possibly purchased 3 meals for themselves.
Making as much money as they did always bothered me because I saw how it was used and really what they were and were not doing. The thing that always amazed me is that the youth parents never complained when they did not know what was going on or only certain “groups” of kids always seemed to be going places while the others were left out.
Granted I was in a very messed up church, but where is the responsibility? Being in a place of ministry does not entitle oneself to live a life of bling bling.
Eventually the crapola hit the fan and pastors started scattering. One youth pastor left (along with 5 other pastors..leaving a grand total of a worship minister on staff) and with him went most of the bling bling. Through this all it left a bad taste in my mouth for church and money.
To get me started on how much money is spent on making the service “inviting” to outsiders is crazy. Lights, cameras, laptops, sound systems, wireless mics, props, programs, t-shirts for volunteers, and thing I can not even think of now…what is all this for? Is it to stroke an ego? Fill the need to play with toys? Or is it ministry?
I admit there was a time when I was caught up in all this and even now I have to put myself in a state of constant check. It is so easy to think we deserve more because we are doing God’s work.
My mind wanders to Matthew 10:9-10
Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.
Are we worthy of our keep?
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This is part of a series. Please check out these other bloggers on the topic of money and the church:
Technorati Tags: Jesus, Church Staff, Ministry
Silver and Gold Have We–Oops! : Subversive Influence Says:
[...] Bling Bling in the Holy of Holies at In Reba’s World [...]
Posted on November 15th, 2007 at 5:54 am
Calacirian » Walking With the Camels (November Synchroblog) Says:
[...] Mike’s Musings Coffee Hour Morality at One Hand Clapping Bling Bling in the Holy of Holies at In Reba’s World Magazinial Outreach at Decompressing Faith Money’s too tight to mention at Out of the Cocoon [...]
Posted on November 15th, 2007 at 6:57 am
Alan Knox Says:
yep… spending “church” money on luxuries and things that everyone should do without pay. But, then again, how will these “pastors” support themselves and their habits without the “church” money? By the way, I think your experience is common.
-Alan
Posted on November 15th, 2007 at 7:23 am
The Church and money - synchroblog « Khanya Says:
[...] Mike’s Musings Coffee Hour Morality at One Hand Clapping Bling Bling in the Holy of Holies at In Reba’s World Magazinial Outreach at Decompressing Faith Money’s too tight to mention at Out of the Cocoon [...]
Posted on November 15th, 2007 at 8:29 am
CHARIS SHALOM » Who, or What, Do You Worship? Says:
[...] Mike’s Musings Coffee Hour Morality at One Hand Clapping Bling Bling in the Holy of Holies at In Reba’s World Magazinial Outreach at Decompressing Faith Money’s too tight to mention at Out of the Cocoon [...]
Posted on November 15th, 2007 at 9:47 am
Fernando A Gros Says:
Thank you for this post and for your honesty. What you are saying rings true to my experience and I’ve never moved in the world of TV evangelists or mega-churches - just ordinary run of the mill churches. In fact, as I mentioned on some other posts in this SynchoBlog, I’ve run a few ministers through the calcs to see what sort of “normal” salary they would need to receive all the benefits they have on a pastoral salary. Not a few were far better off in the ministry than they would have been elsewhere.
Posted on November 15th, 2007 at 10:21 am
Sally Says:
ouch- that is not a pretty picture- I work for a church as a Community worker- my pay is very low- and I often work long hours- so there is another side to the coin so to speak.
Posted on November 15th, 2007 at 10:21 am
Coffee Hour Morality Says:
[...] and the Church: why the big fuss? at Mike’s Musings Bling Bling in the Holy of Holies at In Reba’s World Magazinial Outreach at Decompressing Faith Money’s too tight to mention at Out of the Cocoon [...]
Posted on November 15th, 2007 at 10:49 am
Headspace @ www.lainiepetersen.com » October Synchroblog: The Bourgeois Elephant in the Emergent/Missional Living Room Says:
[...] Mike’s Musings Coffee Hour Morality at One Hand Clapping Bling Bling in the Holy of Holies at In Reba’s World Magazinial Outreach at Decompressing Faith Money’s too tight to mention at Out of the Cocoon [...]
Posted on November 15th, 2007 at 11:28 am
Julie Clawson Says:
So I agree with a lot of what you write here, but I really have to disagree about your assessment of youth pastors not working. I think to see a youth pastor in an office being “responsible” as you put it would be the biggest waste of money out there. Do you expect teachers to never teach or counselors to never counsel? Then why should youth pastors not be out there one on one with the kids pastoring them? To me that is the point of a youth pastor. Not to create stupid programs, or craft the perfect lesson, or clock certain hours at their desk but to be in the lives of the students, being an adult Christian voice that they can trust and speaks into their lives. The government pays people to do that for troubled youth and calls it social work. I have no problem seeing youth pastors do it for whatever kid is looking for a bit more guidance in their life.
Posted on November 15th, 2007 at 11:50 am
Reba Says:
Julie,
I have no problem with it either…when it is done right. In my specific situation things really were some of the worst situations imaginable.
I know there are great youth pastors out there. I was just speaking from personal experience on this one.
Posted on November 15th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
More Than Stone :: Hot topic Synchroblog :: November :: 2007 Says:
[...] Mike’s Musings Coffee Hour Morality at One Hand Clapping Bling Bling in the Holy of Holies at In Reba’s World Magazinial Outreach at Decompressing Faith Money’s too tight to mention at Out of the Cocoon [...]
Posted on November 15th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
Bryan Riley Says:
Sounds like most of the churches I’ve gone to as well. And it is sad. It really makes no sense and it is done in the name of God. Good post. What’s the solution?
Posted on November 15th, 2007 at 5:20 pm
Agent B Says:
That’s…a pretty insane story.
I believe it, unfortunately.
Posted on November 15th, 2007 at 7:36 pm
Jenelle Says:
Sounds pretty ugly. Having done the youth ministry thing for a long time, though, I think that whatever bling it brings, it is possibly one of the most emotionally and spiritually vocations around. It is hard to have any sort of boundaries when you work with kids, so most of the youth-folk I know end up working far more hours than they should. But it may appear as just coffee dates. I know this is true of most pastoral vocations, but my experience has been with youth.
May you forgive freely, Reba. Really nice header, BTW.
Posted on November 16th, 2007 at 12:13 am
Money and Me « Awaken Me Says:
[...] Bling Bling in the Holy of Holies at In Reba’s World by Reba Baskett [...]
Posted on November 16th, 2007 at 9:27 pm
Steve Hayes Says:
I think you chose exactly the right term — “bling bling”.
There’s a difference between giving people the tools needed to get the job done, and excessive worldly show.
Posted on November 16th, 2007 at 10:14 pm