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Библията Тв | PentecostalTheology.com
Elevation Pastor Says Revealing His Salary Would Violate Christ’s Teachings
Elevation Church does post some financial records on its website. Those records show that the church took in $33.5 million in offerings last year and gave away about $3.8 million in outreach. It also spent $9 million on personnel and reported $13.9 million in cash assets.
Charles Page [11/15/2015 7:36 PM]
he’s in violation of the IRS rules of disclosure. However Christian pastors are above IRS rules.
Patrick Conley [11/15/2015 8:08 PM]
Why is it anyone other than members business how much he makes? (And I am certainly no Furtick apologist)
Charles Page [11/15/2015 8:10 PM]
doubtfully he won’t reveal to the membership, just the few financial committee members. I know in big church these committee member sign non-disclosure statements.
Charles Page [11/15/2015 8:12 PM]
I been struck from behind by a cop and given a citation because I ask a steward committee chairman in the Faith Baptist church here in Memphis. Two squad cars came to arrest me. It is a crime to inquire about a Christian pastor’s salary. I got the citation.
Mike Ringgold [11/15/2015 9:29 PM]
Just another false prophet. Vanity was a sin the time I read my bible today. Why else would you want a beard?
Nelson Banuchi [11/15/2015 10:54 PM]
It would violate the Bible? Why is that? Is he making more than God would approve?
David Smith [11/15/2015 11:27 PM]
wharever happened to transparency? If you are having to hide anything it can’t possibly have anything to do with the things of God. Why does anyone need a 16,000 SF home? If he built a 1.6 million dollar home for 325,000 couldn’t he have built a $500,000 home for $125,000? The rest could have been used to advance the kingdom of God. People are starting to see a falling away as never before. God is about to shake us, he is about to shake us in such a way that it is going to usher in the greatest revival ever…… “Then the end shall come”.
David M. Hinsen [11/16/2015 8:03 AM]
Robert Morris’ church posts such a lengthy financial statement on their website I gave up trying to read it all
John Kissinger [11/16/2015 8:04 AM]
flooding with info is one sure way to get out of it
David M. Hinsen [11/16/2015 8:05 AM]
Have you seen it? It’s quite impressive.
John Kissinger [11/16/2015 8:06 AM]
not yet – is it departmentalized? meaning does it spread salaries across departments or is it personalized per position?
David M. Hinsen [11/16/2015 8:07 AM]
Don’t remember to be honest, it’s been quite a while since I viewed it but he vowed to always have it available so it should still be up
John Kissinger [11/16/2015 8:08 AM]
the relative question for this group would not be the moneys but why is it not Biblical to share the wealth ???
John Conger [11/16/2015 8:36 AM]
So much for staying above reproach
John Kissinger [11/16/2015 5:29 PM]
Glynn Brown [11/17/2015 7:26 PM]
Preaching tithes violates Christ’s teachings.
John Kissinger [11/17/2015 7:29 PM]
being a mason violates Christ’s teachings
Charles Page [11/17/2015 7:33 PM]
preaching progressive sanctification grieves Christ.
John Kissinger [11/17/2015 7:39 PM]
being a progressive pastor does the same
Corey Forsyth [11/17/2015 7:39 PM]
Define “progressive” for context please
John Kissinger [11/17/2015 7:40 PM]
skinny jeans, beard, coffee table instead of pulpit, red cup and series instead of a sermon
Charles Page [11/17/2015 8:37 PM]
http://fbcjaxwatchdog.blogspot.com/2012/11/its-not-your-money-says-steven-furtick.html
Nelson Banuchi [11/17/2015 9:44 PM]
sad…we need revival
Nelson Banuchi [11/18/2015 11:26 PM]
I just learned today that Furtick does not receive a salary from his congregation(s). He provides his own support through books he has written and he bought his house ($700K) and whatever else he owns with his own finances.
I must admit, I may have been too hasty in my criticisms if all this is true.
In the first place, if they (btw, who are “they”) are requesting Furtick to reveal his personal finances outside of any relations to his churches, he has the right to deny and no one should fault him for it. How would you react if someone told you to reveal your salary and all the ways you have made money?
Second, if they (who’s requesting it) are requesting the church(es) under Furtick reveal her finances, should he comply, he would s=be setting a precedent, especially if it is a state or some government entity making the demands. besides, the article does say that they do put out a financial report.
I’m not siding with Furtick but, the truth is, if it is his money earned by his own hands and he receives nothing from the church(es) under him, it is none of anyone’s business. (Doesn’t the government have his tax papers? Are they public record?).
As far as church finances, I don’t think they are obligated to state or government to reveal their finances.
Right is right even if one’s you despise are in the right.
No?
John Kissinger [11/19/2015 6:02 AM]
Nelson Banuchi it’s usually done via a foundation. Then, the major purchasers of the products are the congregations the product is promoted to. The ones asking for transparency was a local TV station investigating the issue after the purchase of the property. BTW any average CPA can explain the process better but it is not uncommon w/foundations
Varnel Watson
Jimmy Humphrey Do you know him?
Jimmy Humphrey
As of this past week my wife and I have agreed to jo longer go to Elevation
Vlad Stepanov
My sister used to go to his church
Timothy Ross
He has a good theological debate for his view.Note Deacons and Elders are to handle this stuff in my view.Note it is not anyone’s business but the local Church’s business.if your a member and can’t get clarity then that might be a issue.
Jimmy Humphrey
Nobody at Elevation knows what he makes. It’s completely secret. If you ask, you will not be given an answer
Timothy Ross
Well if they do not like it they can leave as can others.
Jimmy Humphrey
That’s not a biblical attitude at all.
Timothy Ross
Jimmy Humphrey Why he founded the church and is the leader and if they are not the elders keeping him accountable who cares.If it is a issue take it up with Elders.ELDERS ARE TO KEEP THE TEACHING PASTOR ACCOUNTABLE.
Jimmy Humphrey
The attitude one should have is that of a servant. A servant doesn’t have the attitude of “if you just don’t like how things are run then get the hell out of here and go to the church down the street.”
Jimmy Humphrey
Besides, Elevation has no elders. It has Furtick, then a bunch of staff. The only “council” is a group of his out of town preaching buddies from around the country. And at Elevation, we only know that because the news managed to find it out.
Timothy Ross
Jimmy Humphrey then why go to a church that is not accountable to elders ? I also like state deacons are important also.
Jimmy Humphrey
Timothy Ross I actually just left this church, with this being one of many reasons.
Brent Welke
If the guy is a hireling, move on. Pastors are not supposed to preach for “filthy lucre” but out of love for the sheep.
Varnel Watson
Pastoral council maybe? His debate is pointless… Biblically
Timothy Ross
So who are you to correct Him? Are you a Ordained minister with any credibility? Or just another facebook person with an ax to grind?
Varnel Watson
Timothy Ross Who do you refer as Him (with capital H)?
Mary Ellen Nissley
2Cor 8
20 “Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:
21 “Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.”
Rom. 12:17 “…Provide things honest in the sight of all men.”
1Tim. 5:24 “Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.”
Rom 13:13 “Let us walk honestly, as in the day…”
The best policy is openness and honesty.
Taking money straight from the offering, with no accountability to his church or to anyone else, is a situation not only that brings shame to the gospel, but it is a set-up for very bad things to happen.
Timothy Ross
So are you an Elder of His?If we are not member of that Assembly or an Elder we have nothing to say but stay away.
Mary Ellen Nissley
Timothy, where is that written in the Bible?
Brent Welke
Our offerings were counted twice and logged twice by two different crews and separate person made the deposit accompanied by one of the crew members, and we still got hassled. There has got to be an orderly church in this town besides Elevation. Real men of God WANT accountability.
Varnel Watson
The debate is pointless biblically. All references quoted from the Bible do not refer to a pastoral salary by any modern day standard. Yes on financial accountability but no using the Bible to promote self cause or doctrines that are just not in it Ricky Grimsley John Conger Vlad Stepanov
Tim Price
I am a pastor and my wage is paid per hour st the same rate as a comparable profession (Nurse).
Grover Katzmarek Sr
Maybe he has something to hide.
I can’t think of one reason a preachers salary should be hidden. Those that don’t look at their lives, I don’t think I need to mention names
Jimmy Humphrey
For the curious, this website reverse engineers his estimated salary based on his publicly available mortgage documents. It’s estimated at over 500k https://efurtick.wordpress.com/
Tim Price
I think we must be fair most people particulaly in the UK are incredibly private about what they earn. At our church we show the total wage bill for the entire church but go to great lengths to hide what individuals earn.
Varnel Watson
Tim Price The organization brought into organization is incorporated in the US under 501(c)3. There’s nothing secretive about it. Reports have status of open access. Do think churches should stop being 501(c)3 like Ricky Grimsley suggested? http://www.pentecostaltheology.com/should-churches-stop-being-501c3/
Tim Price
I am not in a position to discuss USA charity law. I believe ordinary pastors earning average salaries should be free to not disclose income. However the law should obeyed in spirit and letter.
Jimmy Humphrey
Furtick doesn’t earn an average salary. He lives in a mansion
Tim Price
Well I can only talk about what I see as good practice.
Ricky Grimsley
Im no fan of furtick but what house would we live in if our church had 15000 members?
Jimmy Humphrey
Hopefully like all Christians are supposed to do, we would practice modesty and not live a life of extravagance
Ricky Grimsley
I agree. Prosperity is a test just like anything else
Varnel Watson
So Ricky Grimsley in this particular case (among others), cessation from 501(c)3 is impossible as the dependency is virtually inescapable…
Ricky Grimsley
I guess we have to decide what kingdom we are building. Can we link arms with the pope and olsteen and still be building Gods kingdom? Regardless of what is taught or what the “fruits”are, if the legal head of a church is the government or the irs…..is that what Jesus wants.
Varnel Watson
All I am saying is that I cannot find a single NT verse that speaks about how much a pastor’s salary should be. Can anyone find even a single verse?
Ricky Grimsley
To me its more about the secrecy, and the tax loopholes that they juggle around to make a salary. Its about the bondage and the coming storm or persecution that will come. We will see then. When money no longer matters.
Ricky Grimsley
I guess its between a church, god and a pastor but…1 Corinthians 9:14-16 KJVS
[14] Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. [15] But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. [16] For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
Ricky Grimsley
And i dont see where he gets that letting people know would violate christs teachings.
Varnel Watson
Dont tell your left hand… ? 🙂
Ricky Grimsley
Probably more like robbing peter to pay paul like i used to hear people say.
Jimmy Humphrey
The biggest problem with Furtick is that he lives high off the hog, and spends on average 6+ weeks, if not more (of the 40 sermons he preaches), unashamedly begging from the pulpit for large donations and that everyone give sacrificially to him. He demands financial accountability from those he appoints as lay leaders in the church, otherwise you cannot serve, yet he’s free from the accountability of everyone.
Jimmy Humphrey
Not to mention he talks about how he keeps tabs on who his biggest givers are (he claims to be the biggest giver at the church)
Mary Ellen Nissley
You’d think many Christians have never read this passage:
2Corinthians 8
8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
10 And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.
11 Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.
12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: THAT THERE MAY BE EQUALITY.
15 As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.
David Lewayne Porter
Why do we care if the church is not hurting, if the church approved it, and if they feel that he is earning it?
Is it just because it is a church?
Jimmy Humphrey
The congregation at Elevation doesn’t set his salary. His out of town preaching buddies do. There is zero local oversight of funds.
Jimmy Humphrey
There is no deacon or elder board at Elevation
Kenneth Gentles
Church men want Trump and Hillary to do full dislosure. At the same time many operate like the “Free Mason” organization. If you questioned their financial status you are classified as carnal. “How dare you questioned the men of God, that God placed in positions to handle our affairs?” That’s a common answer.
Jon Ray
Wow Ken man shooting straight from the hip 🙂 Humphrey
Kenneth Gentles
Not even at state conferences we are given a good financial statement. Only the elited ate so privileged.