February 14, 2007
Trust Us
On February 12th there was an Associated Press report on MSNBC with the lead, “Pastor steals church from his flock”. The report states that Pastor Randall Radic sold the First Congregational Church located in Ripton, California out from under the congregation by faking documents and forging papers. Navid Fardanesh, president of the Chamber of Commerce said, “This is a town with a lot of faith. People had a lot of trust in him, and unfortunately he took advantage of the situation.” This is a truly a sad situation; however it should be an example to all congregations. My church, as well as others with a Purpose Driven bent, is offering ambiguous financial reports. When membership is denied full access to financial disclosure, the window of opportunity for misuse of funds is wide open. I take no comfort in hearing the authorities in my church imply, ‘It couldn’t possibly happen to us.’
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Gail;
-----Or is that the members of your leaders’ church saying, “It could not possibly happen to us?” It is not hard to understand that full disclosure in the financial statements is a part of speaking the truth. Refusal to provide financial information is a part of deceit. Why do they wish to withhold financial information? Though there may be a variety of subtle answers to that question, they all flow through one trunk of truth: there is a certain perception regarding those statements your leaders do not want forming in the minds of their church, and they are evidently certain that the perception would form if full disclosure were made.
-----It is obvious that they are jealously guarding plans they have made for their church. I do not know why they should be so guarding of those plans. There are many, many people in this community who would consider those plans as great, whatever they are. I honestly think if they would replace all the pews with lounge tables and chairs and serve coffee and muffins during the morning service, the room would not contain all who would come. If they threw the Bible out the back door and preached all the new age niceties of life, attendance would certainly be of a different crowd, but it would still be as populated.
-----The Church of Laodicea in Revelation found itself rich as well. Who knows what is in her financial statements. But we do know that she will be able to amass her wealth and attendance without careful regard to Scriptural principles. This is a parallel with your leaders’ church that is all too close for comfort. They may relate to you by slight of financial statement, but you must relate to them by speaking the truth in love. Else the Laodicean virus my infect you too!
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