RULES FOR PASTORS

[DIANA MONTES WALKER]

HOW DOES P.C. AUTHORIZE SOMEONE TO BE A P.C. PASTOR? HOW DO WE CHURCH MEMBERS
KNOW WHEN A PASTOR IS BEING HONEST OR DISHONEST REGARDING CHURCH FUNDS?

[David Velasquez]

Your questioned would better be answered by a Pastor and hopefully it will. I am called to Pastor and have taken the responsibility in the past, but I have ran from the calling more than answered it, so am not the best one to give an answered, but I do know about your question, so here is my two cents.
Pastor Donna holds meetings for those who think they are called to go out as P.C. Pastors from time to time and I have attended such meetings. From what I have heard in such meeting it is obvious to me that P.C. follows the biblical pattern to recognized Pastors. I said Recognized not choose, cause a Pastor is not chosen by men, but men simply validate the calling of God in a person’s life. Now there are requisitions one must meet like the ones described in the epistles of Timothy and others. The men should be the husband of one wife. Not giving to drinking, not a new convert etc…

I will get back to you on your second question.

[David Velasquez]

You asked "HOW DO WE CHURCH MEMBERS KNOW WHEN A PASTOR IS BEING HONEST OR DISHONEST REGARDING CHURCH FUNDS?"

Well their are several ways.


1. A pastor's church finances should be transparent to the congregation. There should be a church structure to insured integrity is being follow in the church finances, regardless of the size of the congregation, there should be a structure established to deal with such issues. Accountability is a must.

2. The Lord's Spirit gives us discernment that helps us to see what otherwise we would miss.

3. it is not hard to determine for the most part if a pastor is a faithful steward of the church's finances or if he is being dishonest.

[Pastor Jerome H. Weymouth]

David is right, and one way you can tell if he is dishonest is that he and his immediate family are over indulging in material goods? Is he wearing 500 dollar suits? A new caddy or a bentley? Is he seen eating at outback steakhouse everyday? Now i wrote these to illustrate a point and a question "What would make you think he's dishonest? Does he raise offerings that don't go to the project he is raising the money for ? NOW THAT IS DISHONEST! I know people who haver quit churches for that very reason! We as pastors have to be honest with the finances that God has placed in our care, We should have a yearly buidsness meeting to discuss how the money has been spent. I know that H.P. does it. Others should. Now a question to you who asks these questions.

1. If some guy walks in from the street and he does not attend your local church and he demands to see the books, should we show it to Him?

2. What about some body in your local church body shows up at a Sunday morning or Wednesday night service and asks to see the books, shall your Pastor set aside some time and show him the books?

3.What about if he the church member is showing an attitude?

4.or if he is just wondering on how it is to be handeled?

I say 1. & 3. don't even get the light of day. by their demanding tells me that something is not right and even if you showed them the books are honest, they would not be any pleasing them at all.

2. & 4. would get some time set aside and be shown the books, and it's all about thier attitude.

Pastors who refuse to show the books might be dishonest or lousy book keepers (or both!)

Here is a little quote from The Pentecostal Pastor*
Monthy financial reports should be prepared by thye treasuurer and/or bookkeeper for the Psator and the Board. The reports should at the mininum give the breakdown for each department's income, expensives, and balance.
Interesting note here is that the Pastor should have a board that CONSISTS OF FAITHFUL MEN AND WOMEN. There by there will be no room for the questional uses of the church finances. Departments mentioned here can be noted as Outreach expensives revival expensives, housing allowance and so-on. But the point here is that there has to be accountability and this keeps the board and the Pastors living right!
This is not a put down but a good ethical approach to the local church and the way it handels the finances.

* The Pentecostal Pastor Published by the Gospel Publishing House, Sprigfield , Mo. Purchase it throught the PCCF Bookstore on this web-site.

[DIANA MONTES WALKER]

THANK YOU. I ONLY MENTION THIS BECAUSE IN 8 YEARS, OUR PASTOR HAS NEVER CALLED A MEETING OF THE LEADERS TO GIVE A FINANCIAL REPORT. NEVER. I DON'T BELIEVE HE IS DOING ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE FUNDS; HE LIVES A HARD LIFE AND HAS TO WORK TO PAY HIS OWN
PERSONAL BILLS. WE SIMPLY DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENS TO THE MONEY. WE ARE BEING TACTFUL, BUT INSISTANT NOW THAT WE MUST ACT LIKE A REAL CHURCH AND GIVE AN ACCOUNTING
EACH MONTH IN ORDER TO IMPROVE OUR CHURCH, KNOW WHAT OUR GOALS ARE, AND TO BE TRANSPARENT & HONEST WITH THE CONGREGATION.

[David Velasquez]

your motives are God given and Any man of integrity should have no problem being accountanble. Continue being sensative and tactful in this matter for it is wise to do so. Pastors have a lot on their plate and we don't want them thinking we think they are being dishonest.

[DIANA MONTES WALKER]

THANKS. I am trying to go slowly and to be tactful, however, our church just burned down and we need to know where we stand financially. We need a base to start from; our music and video equipment was all burned, and since we were being allowed to hold services in the building of another organization, we must wait for that organization to complete the insurance claim process. They seem to not want to answer our questions and dodging any questions about our getting paid for damaged equipment. The whole thing is very sensitive and ridiculous; another church has allowed us to hold services in their classrooms temporarily until we find a new home. We can't do anything until Pastor & his wife give up some info. They also want me to help file their non-profit papers, for which I really need the financial info for at least the past two years. My husband is starting to feel discouraged with this church and talking about leaving. I don't want to leave them....they are my pastors. I have to listen to my husband, too, though. This is turning into a dilemma!
Help!
Diana

[Pastor Jerome H. Weymouth]

Dear Heart: Contact Pastor Larry Neville in Ranco Cucamonga, or Pastor Donna Neville In Huntington Park. Do not lose heart, God has called us to be faithful, God bless you
Pastor Jerome