How can I know if my chuch reports to the IRS without asking the Pastor?
My priest as well as his mother controls positively each penny which enters the church, as well as at your convenience you have the theory orator he asks the assemblage for the special charity in the further to the unchanging charity you give to the Lord similar to the bible teaches us to do. we am not penny picking, though my church is regularly struggling as well as the priest is regularly asking for some-more money. It saddens me. Not once has he told us how most income the church has or how he spends it. This is the mount alone church
October 30th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
If your pastor and his wife control all the money, it’s definitely time to find a new church. A church pastor must be accountable to 7 board members, or deacons as some churches call them, with monthly meetings and to the body of members. They should be required to have a "business" meeting once a year to go over finances and to show where all the money has gone. If they do not do that you have a right to be suspicious. That is one of the reasons a church should be affiliated with other churches. It is for accountability.
Stand alone churches are the type that you see in the headlines either pilfering money, spending it on themselves lavishly or on their families and control other aspects of your life. Remember the Jonestown Horror? Cults are started that way. Beware.
They must file an income tax form with the government and if they are hiding the money and keeping it for themselves only, and not to promote Christ, then they will someday be in serious trouble, not only with the law, but with Christ. I strongly suggest you start looking for a church that practices biblical principles as that is what is required.
October 30th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Time to find a new church.
October 30th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Your church should publish a financial statement for the congregation quarterly. If it doesn’t, something is definitely wrong!
October 30th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
This is a serious problem for any stand-alone church: fiscal accountability.
I’m not aware of any way you can get the information you seek without consulting the pastor or his wife–but be prepared not to receive a satisfactory answer.
October 30th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
sounds like a suspicion situation i would wanna know too if they are hiding they are doing something with the money you should know what the money is going to and what is budgeting ask or leave that church cause even though he a pastor he could not really be saved even thorough we think at my church he always tell us where it going to and give a tax thingy on how much you gave and a booklet on how the much was spend he a honest guy but that pastor does sound like he using the money for him self or something else ask and get everyone to ask then only he has to tell
October 30th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Churches are tax exempt but the pastor and his wife still have to fill out an income tax form for their personal money.
Almost all churches have an oversight committee that makes decisions on the everyday doings of the church, from hiring a janitor to buying new prayer books to donating to worthy causes.
See if your church has such a committee. If your church is an organized denomination, they will be well aware that every church is expected to have it.