I’m clearly in the wrong denomination. The headline in today’s New York Daily News reads: “Furor Over 600G Pastor.” Turns out there’s some controversy over the compensation package of the new senior pastor of Riverside Church.
According to church insiders, the Rev. Brad Braxton’s salary includes:
$250,000 in salary.
$11,500 monthly housing allowance.
Private school tuition for his child.
A full-time maid.
Entertainment, travel and “professional development” allowances.
Pension and life insurance benefits.
An equity allowance for Braxton to save up to buy a home.
Much of this is standard fare for clergy of mainline denominations. Except the maid. And perhaps the private school tuition. And the scale of it all. He also hired a second-in-command at $300,000. Why didn’t I see that job posted anywhere?
Clergy have always had an odd relationship with money. We’re not called to poverty (just ask our spouses for clarification) but neither did we go into this line of work for the AIG-like bonuses. The mixed messages are abundant: Many of us are embarrassed to talk about money, yet Jesus talked about money more than any other topic. Many of us don’t want to see the specific pledge numbers of our parishioners, yet financial stewardship is an integral piece of spiritual wellness. Many of us don’t want to “get our hands dirty” with church financial matters, yet budgeting and raising money is a critical part of what we do.
Part of me thinks Braxton’s salary is outrageous given the long history of social justice at Riverside. And given the current economic climate you could make the argument with words like “unconscionable.” But a small part of me thinks, “More power to him!” His position is fraught with unimaginable stress, he’s running a small corporation, and he’s a leader in his “industry.”
Or maybe I’m just jealous. At least of the full-time maid — I could surely use one of those. Preferably one who could craft poignant, witty, and profound sermons.
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So ... most of us don't go into ministry for the money. Apparently ... for some ...it may not be true. I can't seem to justify this. Can you?
Did you know that back in the Old Testament days, God got the first fruits. Now the government does when they tax your paycheck before you get paid. Logically that means that your tithe should be 10% BEFORE taxes ... not after. Because if it was after then you put the almighty government first and not God. Don't know about you, but I rather put God first.
Also,
Did you know that tithing 10% was only part of what you gave back in the OT days? With the tithe and all the festivals, and other stuff ... your giving was about 27% of your income. If that were the case, and with churches giving on average around or below 4% ... we're missing 23% somewhere that we give to God.
You know what that's called?!?!
STEALING!
I think all of us fit into this category one way or another. Okay okay ... all is too much of a blanket statement. MOST of us are in this category. Think about it. If God created us, we belong to him. If he created everything around us, then the stuff that we have ... was by him given to us to manage. And for some reason, we don't use what we have for his glory by helping those in need. We use it for our own selfish gain ... fast cars ... big houses. And for us less rich people ... new cell phones, name brand clothes.
For those of you who have enough time to read this, you are probably considered rich. Why? You have a computer and if you could afford one, or live in a house where you could afford one, then food probably isn't something you wonder if you're ever gonna get. We have running water. We have cars. We have houses. We have a roof over our head. I could go on with what we have.
But what about those who don't. As churches and Christians build their empire, fellow churches are being persecuted. Fellow Christians are trying to just simply save their lives.
Yes ... God has blessed us. God has blessed our nation. But for how much longer? With the way we've been spending GOD's resources ... and also going into debt .... I wonder. I truly wonder ....
I've been listening to a lot of news radio these days. I turned 30. I guess that's a turning point. When I was younger, I always thought of people who listened talk radio or news radio were like OLD old. And now I listen to a lot of news radio. I guess I'm old. It just hit me the other day.
News today: Overturning prop 8 I think that this is so lame. And I think it's lame on both sides.
1) If they gay community wanted to make prop 8 not pass, THEY SHOULD HAVE VOTED MORE! It's interesting how they are making such a big deal about it NOW that the voting ended. I mean seriously, prop 8 BARELY passed! They could have won! But hey ... we won fair and square ... TWICE. 2) And now, they're making a big stink about it. Right after the losing of prop 8, they protested and some of it was not very nice. 3) As for the pro-family side ... their actions this morning was not exactly noble either. If they were mostly "Christians" and conservatives, arguing and calling names at each other during protests DOESN'T HELP! Take the high road. Shut up and have your presence be your protest. Love your enemies!!!
But the bottomline is ... if prop 8 does stand, are we in a better place than we were before. And if prop 8 fails, how much "worse" can it get?
This message is for Christians out there: We fight so hard for something that we totally believe in ... in principle. But for crying out loud, even if we believe homosexual marriage is wrong, with our divorce rate and how we care for our children, our actions speak louder than words: we don't believe in marriage ... in other words, hypocrites! Our beliefs have not guided our actions. The homosexual community would like to adopt kids. The Bible talks clearly that we are to take care of orphans and widows. Do we do it? It's like we stand at abortion clinics and condemn young ladies for killing their babies, but what are we doing besides condemning people? Are we adopting? Are we caring? Are we doing what scripture tells us to do?
4) So really, if prop 8 stands ...what next? Is that the "end all" goal? What does that accomplish in the long run if conservatives and Christians don't change their divorce and broken family habits?
For me? What ever happens happens. But hear me on this: our goal as a church should be to help build strong families to the point where there is no question that what God designed IS GOOD and NOT to battle with people who differ from us through negative words and action. We have to live out our convictions, not just talk about them. I'm sure the homosexual community, if they want to win in the long run, will probably do the same: show off to the world that they aren't just a group about sexual orientation (that's if they're smart). We need to focus on our families. Heterosexual families have an advantage: intelligent design. IF God created us this way, there is an advantage to live according to how we were created ... as long as we live according to our creator's design and stick with it when things get tough by relying on His strength. It's a long road, but in order for TRUTH to come out in lifestyle, it must be lived out in the long haul.
So all in all, whatever comes out of this decision, the game is still on. And the only way to win, is for one of the groups to prove that their way of life is better. Arguments and the group with the louder voice may win now, but for the long haul, it will take more than that. So Christians, get off your butt and work on yourself before you work on others' problems! Worship God through your life in SPIRIT (your attitude/heart) and in TRUTH (theologically derived from scripture, reason, experience and history).
Okay ... off my soap box and back to work. Have a good day everyone.
Something I want to share with all of you. Makes you wanna jump up, go out and get this friend! I have no thoughts on this. Maybe you could give me some!
I’m clearly in the wrong denomination. The headline in today’s New York Daily News reads: “Furor Over 600G Pastor.” Turns out there’s some controversy over the compensation package of the new senior pastor of Riverside Church.