National Debt Talks Stage Opportunity To Examine Defective Concepts of Church Economics Pt. 1

Reported by John L. HairstonWith the hotbed topic of the National Debt and the August 2nd deadline looming ominously over the country, many Americans watch, with a vested interest, the financial stability of the United States. As government officials debate the causes and resolution on Capitol Hill, there is a prophetic relation hidden right beneath the surface of this political drama.As facts from many of the leading research institutions, concerning Church affairs has revealed-The Body of Christ is not immune to economic and financial crisis. It is no secret that the institution of the Church has been victimized by fiscal irresponsibility and financial mismanagement; as well as an erroneous concept of church budget appropriation. The recent rise in church foreclosures and bankruptcies signal a defective concept of Christian economics and financial priorities.According to recent statistics and research, the institution of Church took in $103.32 billion dollars a year (1), a stat recorded in a 2007 report presented by GivingUSA, a non-profit foundation that studies philanthropy in the United States; a significant amount of income, considering the purpose of the Church and the needs of those whom we have been called to serve-the Communities surrounding our church buildings. Yet, in an article published by Rueters, Tom Hals reported, “a review of filings in the Thomson Reuters Westlaw legal database shows foreclosure proceedings against U.S. churches have nearly tripled since December 2007, when the recession began, compared with the previous seven years, which included the dot.com bust and economic downturn. Court records also reveal more than 100 churches have declared bankruptcy in the last year, often in a last-ditch attempt to halt a sheriff's sale. That number could rise fast.”(2) Also, written in that report:

“Spending on construction of religious buildings rose sharply in the late 1990s, climbing 70 percent from 1995 to 1999 to an annual rate of $7.3 billion. New building continued to tick up, eventually reaching an annual rate of nearly $9 billion in 2003 before leveling off, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau.”

I also wrote an article posted June 2, 2011, on the Revolutionary Ministry Concepts blog:“I want to place some statistics and numbers here concerning Church spending globally:

Broadcasting (radio/TV) per year Total spend $5.8 Billion

Foreign Missions Money per year Total spend $15 Billion

Finance (church/agency) per year Total spend $270 Billion (1)

In just those 3 statistics alone, we see the Church spends an estimated $291 billion a year!!!”(3)That is almost a $197 billion dollar deficit in church finances. After multiple years of this type of income- to-expenses budgeting, it becomes evident why foreclosures, bankruptcies and financial crisis have become so prevalent among this divided body of churches. Exactly where is this money spent?According to statistical data and research conducted, we find that churches spend 49% on staff and personnel, 13% on buildings, rent, mortgages and capital projects and as little as 5% on evangelism and missions (4). Generous Giving, a research and statistical group, reported:

“Buildings over Evangelism: When asked "What would you do with an unexpected financial windfall?" 31 percent of Protestant pastors said they would build, expand or update their church buildings and facilities. 7 percent said they would give more to foreign missions and evangelism.

Salaries over Missions: Almost 50 percent of the average church's budget goes to staff and personnel salaries. Missions and evangelism accounts for about 5 percent.

Large Staff: On average, mega-churches in America had 20 full-time leadership staff in 2005, up from 13 in 2000. American churches spend an average of 22 percent of their budgets on the upkeep or expansion of their physical buildings.

Overseas Ministries: Only 2 cents of every dollar given by American Christians goes to support overseas ministries.

Focus on Internal Operations: 85 percent of all church activity and funds is directed toward the internal operations of the congregation, such as staff salaries, utility expenses, and Sunday school materials. (5)”

The numbers begin to reveal some contemptible facts concerning the operations and stewardship of our churches, which are all a derivative of one-The Church has restructured its priorities. In conjunction with the present ailments of the economy, the widespread jump in unemployment and the moral decline of our communities, it is undeniable that the Church has also lost focus of its purpose.

The purpose of the Church was and is always found in the Great Commission that was charged by Jesus Christ, himself (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-18; Acts 1:8). Thus, the focus and central priority of the Church is EVANGELISM-Outreach and Discipleship. We are not to conform to the trends and innovations of this world, but maintain the course set by Jesus Christ; to make disciples of the Nations. If we are to spend these massive amounts of finances, it should be spent with the Commission in mind and heart. Some may say that we, the Church, has been established to set up the Kingdom of God on earth, but this is only partial truth. The Kingdom of God is to be established by Christ himself, and there will be no Kingdom of God on the earth prior to the rapture (for more on this topic, please visit the Revolutionary Ministry Concepts blog)(6).

By the Sovereign design of Almighty Yahweh, America has become the paragon for “Church Model”, theology and doctrine. This is due largely to the shift in Internet and Communications that has placed almost all of the Christian broadcasting networks within the jurisdiction of America. We have not honored this endowment.

According to the statistics and research data, we have placed our spending priorities in the field of BUILDING CONSTRUCTION and RENOVATIONS. Firstly, The Sovereign and Omnipresent Father of all life has no use for a building; so why are we spending so much time and energy erecting edifices that we can’t take with us at rapture, and will never be used during the Millennial Reign of Christ Jesus?Why are we spending so much energy, time and effort trying to build broadcasting empires that has proved only a mark against the church? Let’s look at this through the eye of facts.

Matthew 24:14 states, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” KJV

With all the finances and energy spent to build all of the communications and technological advancement for the Christian networks; and with all the nations that these networks claim to be reaching in the remote parts of the earth, not including the “missionary endeavor” attached to many of these programs they broadcast-WHY HAS THE END NOT COME YET? Look at the verse again. It says, THIS GOSPEL of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world, for a witness, unto all nations. We are not denying the far reaching capability of these networks, the question lies in WHAT GOSPEL ARE THEY PREACHING? According to the Bible, if the Gospel of the Kingdom that Jesus taught was to reach all the earth, THEN THE END WOULD COME, but we are still here-somebody isn’t preach the TRUE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM.

It’s not my intent to become theological, but to point out that all of the finances being poured into these Christian TV broadcasts have proved an ineffective investment. With the increase in Church construction and renovation, and expansion of “ministries”, it has become necessary for these ministries to seek funding from the local, state and federal government. Yet, wasteful spending habits, an unguided management of church growth and development has made the Church susceptible to economic and financial calamity; they have tied themselves into the rise and fall of the Money markets of the “world”, rather that stick to the fail proof plan already established for the Body of Christ.

The Church has attempted to out think the Head of the Church (Jesus) and become INCORPORATED ORGANIZATIONS equipped with poisoned dart 501(c)3s, in hopes of being able to offset dwindling congregations and attendances, which place a minus on the tithes and offerings collected.

Far gone are the days when church leadership looked at their members as God’s people or souls that needed to be matured and served, but rather percentages added to their monthly budgets. They have to keep pressure teachings on attendance and tithing to cover the 15 to 30 year mortgage yokes they have placed around the necks of their congregations.

In 2001, when George H.W. Bush came to office, there was a surplus of government finances running back 4 years. After the Iraqi War, those surpluses diminished into massive deficits which instigate cuts in funds to many necessary programs, and loans that churches have tied themselves to. The leaderships enjoyed the luxury of being able to receive grants and loans that renovated their buildings, paid their rents and car notes. Once you tie the church to the world system, you become exposed to the volatile shifts of world affairs.

Now, with inevitable cuts coming to repair the nation’s economy, churches should prepared for more sweeping rounds of grant denials, foreclosures and bankruptcies; as the government will be directing those finances to shore up military personnel payments, Social Security and Medicare; faith-based programs will be taking a back seat. In addition, we could look for reforms in the tax exempt laws. Just as, the year 2007 introduced the Senate Finance Committee opening a 3 year investigation of the financial records of six of the largest Churches in America. An emphatic reminder, that when you conform to the system of the World, you are subject to all regulations of the world system without immunity.(7)

Next month’s article we will be reviewing the affects of the National Debt issue on Nonprofits, and speak with Governmental and Spiritual leaders about how to protect Churches and Nonprofits from the fallout.

For extended teaching on the Christian Economic System, go to the Revolutionary Ministry Concepts Blog at: http://kingdomsembassyinternational.wordpress.com/For questions regarding this article please contact John L. Hairston at:mailto:johnhairston@revolutionaryministryconcepts.org

Sources:

1. USA Today article: "Offerings make up a third of U.S. donations" by Cathy Lynn Grossman 10/7/2008 (cf. Giving USA, a non-profit foundation that studies philanthropy in the United States, in its 2008 report found 33.4% of estimated total giving, $103.32 billion, went to houses of worship and denominational organizations in 2007.)

2. Rueters, April 1, 2010-report by Tom Hals

3. Revolutionary Ministry Concepts blog: Defining the Prophetic Worldview, Ministry of Revolution Pt. 3, Prophet John L. Hairston http://kingdomsembassyinternational.wordpress.com/2011/06/02/the-ministry-of-revolution-pt-3-3/

4. Average Church Budget Spending, http://www.jdaniellowe.com/stat10.html

5. Stats on Generous Giving, “The Spending Priorities of the Church” http://www.generousgiving.org/stats#

6. Revolutionary Ministry Concepts Blog and Webcast, http://kingdomsembassyinternational.wordpress.com/ , http://www.stickam.com/revolutionaryministry

7. CBS News Investigative report, “Senate Panel Probes 6 Top Televangelists” http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/11/06/cbsnews_investigates/main3456977.shtml

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