This is an excellent question. The short answer is that we don't keep them financially functioning. We sell everything and divide it out to those who are in need as the Scriptures say. This may not be the answer you were looking for.
The Local Church as we know it is deeply shaped by our neglect of one another's spiritual rights in Christ. We tend to look at organisational problems in the flesh--"pay the pastor a little or a lot," but give no spiritual reading to the issue at hand beyond proof texting our decision in the scriptures. "do not muzzle the ox as it treads the grain," and so forth. We decide that we ought to pay those who offer a spiritual service to us--well and fine--but then go rooting about the scriptures for loose organisational principles whereby to go about it. Our ideas about paying someone for their spiritual service cannot be seen outside of our ideas for paying someone to build a house. What spiritual service do they really offer if by their organisation they strip people of their rights? It is better as the scriptures say, to close the doors.
As I say, this is probably not what you want to hear. There is no simple answer to the enslavement of the people of God beyond setting them free and seeing what they do with freedom in Christ. All of our running after safety, legitimacy and provision in the flesh have created such an environment of worldliness that the organisations themselves will likely never go away because they are of the world. There is a ton of thinking to do for the people of God on this subject alone and there are (to my mind) 11 or 12 other enslavements we regularly enforce.
This is great. We tried to attend a local church and they were already talking about the 10% tithe and then said they had a shortfall due to the congregation not being generous.
At some point or other every Symbiotic Organisation has to talk about money--they depend on people to "do good work," I'm not saying find somewhere else just on that, but a cry of poverty from an SO on the first day doesn't bode well for the future.
Yes, and we generously have given to previous places of worship based on the overflow of our heart and for what God has called us too but it was never forced.
Along with that and a host of other red flags during that "experience," I now find myself questioning everything. I grew up in a healthy church. Now I am a church misfit. I am an anxious first time guest. I am 4th generation and starting from scratch all at the same time. (I use the word, "experience" because Sunday morning service got changed to Sunday morning "experience.") Lord, help us.
It's hard to see the old forms die, but in seeing them die we are privy to what is worth keeping and what ought to be thrown into the fire. That's kind of what I do here--try to understand which of our practices (if any) are really worth calling an integral, formational part of the people of God and what are the last vestiges of the flesh clinging on for dear life.
What are the spiritual rights you speak of? (With Scripture references, please)
You can find a list I have been putting together here. I'm happy to answer any questions you might have about them.
https://ammiruhamacommunity.wordpress.com/the-christians-bill-of-rights/
How then would you recommend keeping local churches financially functioning? Only bi-vocational pastors?
This is an excellent question. The short answer is that we don't keep them financially functioning. We sell everything and divide it out to those who are in need as the Scriptures say. This may not be the answer you were looking for.
The Local Church as we know it is deeply shaped by our neglect of one another's spiritual rights in Christ. We tend to look at organisational problems in the flesh--"pay the pastor a little or a lot," but give no spiritual reading to the issue at hand beyond proof texting our decision in the scriptures. "do not muzzle the ox as it treads the grain," and so forth. We decide that we ought to pay those who offer a spiritual service to us--well and fine--but then go rooting about the scriptures for loose organisational principles whereby to go about it. Our ideas about paying someone for their spiritual service cannot be seen outside of our ideas for paying someone to build a house. What spiritual service do they really offer if by their organisation they strip people of their rights? It is better as the scriptures say, to close the doors.
As I say, this is probably not what you want to hear. There is no simple answer to the enslavement of the people of God beyond setting them free and seeing what they do with freedom in Christ. All of our running after safety, legitimacy and provision in the flesh have created such an environment of worldliness that the organisations themselves will likely never go away because they are of the world. There is a ton of thinking to do for the people of God on this subject alone and there are (to my mind) 11 or 12 other enslavements we regularly enforce.
I welcome your dialog on this.
And, how *do* you interpret the 1 Timothy 5 passage?
Okay! So, I've written a detailed post that answers your question and it will be with us next Thursday.
This is going to take a little longer to reply. Thank you for your patience.
This is great. We tried to attend a local church and they were already talking about the 10% tithe and then said they had a shortfall due to the congregation not being generous.
At some point or other every Symbiotic Organisation has to talk about money--they depend on people to "do good work," I'm not saying find somewhere else just on that, but a cry of poverty from an SO on the first day doesn't bode well for the future.
Yes, and we generously have given to previous places of worship based on the overflow of our heart and for what God has called us too but it was never forced.
Recently heard a pastor say that if we did not tithe 10%, we could not volunteer. We left.
Paid volunteer service takes on a new meaning huh?
Along with that and a host of other red flags during that "experience," I now find myself questioning everything. I grew up in a healthy church. Now I am a church misfit. I am an anxious first time guest. I am 4th generation and starting from scratch all at the same time. (I use the word, "experience" because Sunday morning service got changed to Sunday morning "experience.") Lord, help us.
It's hard to see the old forms die, but in seeing them die we are privy to what is worth keeping and what ought to be thrown into the fire. That's kind of what I do here--try to understand which of our practices (if any) are really worth calling an integral, formational part of the people of God and what are the last vestiges of the flesh clinging on for dear life.