• doingthestuff@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    The vast majority of pastors are volunteers or bi-vocational. And yes there are abuses. But also lots of them giving their time and resources to care for the under-resourced. My church’'s sr. pastor is going from full time to bi-vocational this year because inflation hit the church and his family. But our church distributed 12 million pounds of food since covid

      • doingthestuff@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        The tithe doesn’t go to a pastor, it goes to fund the whole ministry. People working full time deserve a living wage, he’s no different. Most Christians don’t tithe anyway, it’s usually 15% of the people giving 85% of the funds.

        Our church distributed those millions of pounds of food on a $350k total budget each year which includes still paying mortgage on an under-maintained property. The total payroll and benefits for two full time and four part time staff was $165k last year. I don’t think they’re robbing people who chose to support that.

        • Daft_ish@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          I really not sure your point. Does acts tell you that God requires you to give 10% of your income?

          Your church sounds like an outlier. Many of the church I’ve seen have been seeded by larger churches and ministries which they are then indebted to. Most of which would not be so forthcoming with their financials.

          Thats not the question though. Why is it a church would say that tithing 10% of your income is a requirement?

          • Zorque@kbin.social
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            1 year ago

            Because it’s a tradition from the old testament that some (by no means all) churches use. It’s nowhere near as universal as your own anecdotal references seem to imply.

              • Sotuanduso@lemm.ee
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                1 year ago

                Maybe try researching church finances instead of going by the assumption that they’re greedy because they’re asking for money and look like your enemy.

                EDIT: Sorry, I forgot it’s a not-good to ask someone to do research without demonstrating my own. Unfortunately, I have other things I should be doing than research right now.