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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
March 2002 |
A gift with strings attached
Dear Ed and Susan,
Our church has struggled financially this year. Our superintendent has been understanding; he even helped us with a check from the Conference.
We felt we were making progress when the pastor called an emergency Administrative Council meeting between Christmas and the New Year. To a very sparse crowd, a member of the congregation offered a large gift if we would pay our apportionments 100 percent. We were taken aback by this proposal.
The decision was deferred until after Dec. 30, when more could attend. The Finance Committee was uncomfortable about taking a gift with such strings attached, and made the suggestion that apportionments be paid with existing funds, not the gift. The gift has been placed in our regular offering.
We have many questions, but the main one is how the church feels about gifts with strings attached, and should the Ad. Council question the intents of the Finance Committee?
Signed,
Confused Treasurer
Dear CT,
Last updated on 01/14/2004It seems you have several dilemmas. One is the power of the Administrative Council. How should it work with the Finance Committee? Should it abide by the committee's suggestions, or override them?
The Ad Council probably has the power to override the suggestions of the Finance Committee, since the Finance Committee reports to the Ad. Council, and not the reverse. But the issue is more clouded than that. The pastor called an emergency meeting at an inconvenient time and without talking to the treasurer or Finance Committee. It seems there's an issue of keeping everyone on the same page. It is hard to make good decisions under pressure.
Then, there is the matter of the "gift." The church member wanted things done his/her way, and was willing to negotiate the tithe. Unfortunately, people often vote with their money. If they do not like what is happening, they will withhold their offerings, or offer money as an incentive to get their way.
This is an old controversy in the church. The fourth chapter of Acts tells how people brought their gifts and laid them at the feet of the apostles. Then Ananias and Sapphira gave a gift, holding back part. They wanted people to appreciate them for their gift. They did it for reasons other than to help out.
When this happens, the whole fabric of trust is torn. Many in your church may have feelings about what was done, or attempted. Some healing is needed. Since that crisis is past, this might be a good time to have a discussion with the pastor and the Ad. Council about how the church will do its business. How can we make difficult decisions together? How can we work together in trust? Often, if healing does not occur, things get worse.
It appears your church handled this pretty well. You delayed the decision until more could be present. The Finance Committee amended the proposal so that the "giver" did not control the outcome. We send our best wishes to you and your congregation.
Sincerely,
Susan and Ed AlleyLetters may be sent to the Alleys at the Kairos Center for the Family, 4337 Kessler Blvd. N. Drive, Indianapolis, Ind. 46228. E-mail: eskairos@aol.com .