Tell me...

I got a new job! I've been there for over a month now, leading a program that promotes brain development in babies. It's so nice to be using my degree again and to have an office and to have a reason to actually WEAR all of those nice clothes in my closet. Best of all, my job is only 20 hours a week, and believe it or not, I decided to continue working at the store also. This position kinda fell into my lap... my boss is the wife of the assistant manager at the store, and I was "highly encouraged" to apply. Funny how changes happen when you finally stop looking for them.

I've been batting this around for a week or so... so please write me if you have thoughts or insight...

When I first moved to Knoxville, I visited a large local church one Sunday. I decided not to try visiting again because it seemed too "showy" and the singles ministry left a lot to be desired. However, I remained on this church's mailing list until I moved into my house 3 years later. The senior pastor of this church always managed to tie the subject of tithing into his weekly newsletter column. I finally quit reading after one week's column urged his congregation to designate their giving in this order:
1. The church's general fund,
2. The church's building fund, and
3. Missions.
I kid you not. Any alarm bells going off yet?

This church happens to be a frequent customer of the store where I work, and I have had the opportunity to become acquainted with some of their staff. This church employs both a husband and a wife as ministers. I guess they are nice enough people although not very personable, IMHO. What bothers me is that they each drive a new Mercedes.

I find that to be obscene. Hear me out before accusing me of being a hypocrite...

I fully believe in compensating pastors well. They sacrifice so much for their congregations... their personal time, where they live, what they do, even their reputations. I know it's a 24/7 job where burnout is not uncommon. I think a church needs to pay their ministers more than enough so that the one thing they DON'T have to worry about is how to make ends meet every month. For example, the wife should be able to afford to stay home to take care of the family, since Dad's constantly out taking care of everyone else.

I'm not saying that it's morally wrong to own a luxury vehicle. For some people, they work hard all of their life for their dream car. Fine. Me personally, I could find another use for that money, but whatever.

However, why would a minister want to drive a Mercedes if they were not interested in flaunting their wealth? We all know the car's a status symbol, let's just be honest about it. If all they claim is important is to have a safe and comfortable sedan that runs forever, a Toyota would fit the bill nicely. But instead, these ministers both chose to place a social barrier around themselves. I'd like to know how they go into the trailer parks on Clinton Highway or to the projects at Austin Homes to do ministry. They'd get laughed out the door driving up in those neighborhoods in their $50,000 cars, to tell the poor and downtrodden how their lives can be better with Jesus. I can't even take them seriously, and I'm neither broke nor living in the ghetto.

For all I know, these people could have been multimillionaires before they entered the ministry, or the cars were gifts. I am aware that there are a lot of variables which could come into play here. But even so, wouldn't a minister actually WANT to keep a low profile? Wouldn't it be embarassing otherwise? Where is your humility when you're waving your prosperity around literally everywhere you go?

If they have a million bucks, then fine! However, wouldn't a little discretion here would be appropriate?

When your current salary is drawn from the backs of church members, people who sacrificed to give their tithes to God and will never be able to afford that Mercedes you're driving, it's a slap in the face.

Yes, I am holding them to a higher standard. They chose to be pastors. In this crazy world where priorities are too often misdirected and money becomes the reason for living, people are looking to them for guidance. That's why they draw their paycheck.

I am open to alternate points of view. Thoughts?