Transparency In Ministry

According to an interview with co-authors Scott Thumma and Dave Travis, as viewed in the following link:

Mega Churches bring the message of the gospel and the truth of Christianity to a contemporary society. Mega churches have a strong appeal to the modern American people, not only thru the preaching sermons with modern examples, but by the music, style of ministry and mission activities of these large churches.

Scott Thumma and Dave Travis are the co-authors of the new book Beyond Megachurch Myths.

On a recent trip I met a young passenger who discussed the "fee" for Sunday School. When he found out that I taught Sunday School...he said "When you go to Sunday school, you have to pay a dollar".

I laughed out loud, or (LOL) in teenage terminology.

and yes, Sunday school is a place where sometimes you pay a dollar.

These "Sunday school dollars" are collected and reported as contributions by the Church. It is difficult for donors to receive "credit" for these contributions, because the documentation is not provided with the collection. However, if donors would like to receive a donor statement or acknowledgement by the Church, additional information including "name and amount" should be included with the "Sunday school dollars".

More questions about record keeping for contributions...contact me.

In church a couple of weeks ago, I heard the following about the Good Shepherd...

God is the Good Shepherd. God does not come to seek and save those who have been found. God comes to seek and save that which is lost.

Quoted from sermon titled Community of Grace, by Dr. Jeff Barbeau.

Personal comment from Dr. Barbeau...

...who will save me?

Teaching and mentoring congregants is one of the important programs for churches. Outreach and mission work may proceed teaching/mentoring, however play an important part in church "programing". Church programming and the expenses incurred play an important part in defining or reporting the results of activities. The information reported in financial statements help managerment and other users determine if selected operational objectives have been achieved. These issues are part of transparency in ministry. Performing and reporting based on ministry objectives.

If doing church is having 52 bulletins a year. This "doing" is not a success.

From Ministry Today, March/April 2007 The Business of Ministry.

As we celebrate Freedom on July 4, 2007, please enjoy the following words from Jesus and the Apostle Paul:

I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:34 etal...(NIV)

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirt is life and peace. Romans 8:5-6 (NIV)

It is for FREEDOM that Christ has set us free.Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galations 5:1 (NIV)

We are a blessed.