Transparency In Ministry

As I filed my annual federal and state income tax returns last week, I remind myself "why" I pay taxes. Personally, I believe I pay more than my "fair share", but that is beside the point of this blog post today.

The Apostle Paul, as recorded in Romans 13, reminds us "WHY" we pay taxes. This scripture is a favorite of mine, especially in light of the political environment that we endure...

This is why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: if you owe taxes, pay taxes, if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling aginst what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgement on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing.

Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only beauce of possible punishment but also because of conscience. Excerpt from the NIV of Romans 13.

So why do we pay taxes? Why do we submit to authorities? Because of conscience.

Because of my conscience...posted by Becky DaVee

A friend of mine took her four-year-old daughter to a baptismal service at her church. Later that night, her daughter took all of her dolls into the bathtub with her and held her own "baptism."
As she dunked each doll under the water, she repeated, "Now I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and hold your nose."

Received from DOC'S DAILY CHUCKLE.

Today is a "hold your nose" day...God Bless!

Becky DaVee

It is Easter morning...and ed young television is broadcasting on the USA network. Ed Young, Jr., is the senior pastor of Fellowship Church in Grapevine. This morning, he launched his series "The Doors" and the sermon text came from John 14:6:

I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me. NIV

According to Ed, at Fellowship Church, "We celebrate every Sunday, the resurrection of Jesus Christ".

So for this Easter morning, I applaud all of our churches and ministries as they lead gatherers in worship experiences...as we all celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Happy Easter

Becky DaVee - transparency in ministry

With Senator Grassley's inquiry with six televangelists, the questions, as documented in press releases, seem to be directed at governance and reporting issues. These two operating areas, independent yet dependent in function, require two important factors, transparency and accountability.

How do you define these terms? In this post and following, we will briefly define and explore these important, vital characteristics for a church.

Transparency is defined well by Joyce Meyer Ministries. Upon walking into their ministry headquarters, the following words are embedded in the concrete:

Principle Loyalty
Vision Truth
Honesty Compassion
Integrity Justice
Courage Faithfulness
Honor Virtue
Excellence Responsibility

I believe these words corporately define transparency. Accoutability, how do you define? See our next post.

Posted by Becky DaVee

Well it's official. WWW.THEMINISTRYBLOG.com is 1 year old.

In February 2007, Stanfield & O'Dell, P.C. officially launched our ministry blog to offer "solutions beyond numbers". We believe that ministries need/desire accountability and transparency and we offer solutions. The regulatory environment continues to expand their reach into churches/ministries and churches/ministries must continue to be stewards and operate with fiduciary responsbility.

This is one of the reasons we created the blog.

Todate we have published nearly 200 posts, have welcomed a number of subscribers to our inner circle and we celebrate each and every comment that you, the user, provide. If there is a topic that you would like discussed, please contact us.

Coming soon..."ask us" icon.

Have a great day...and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to us!!!

If solitude were primarily an escape from a busy job, and silence primarily an escape from a noisy milieu, they could easily become very self-centered...solitude and silence are for prayer. The Desert Fathers did not think of solitude as being alone, but as being with God. They did not think of silence as not speaking, but as listening to God. Solitude and silence are the context within which prayer is practiced.
>
> -Henri Nouwen, from The Way of the Heart, Desert Spirituality and
Contemporary Ministry.

What is the true purpose in a Christian’s life?

Che Ahn defined the purpose: rather than works, duties or accomplishments, the true purpose is love God and loving others.*

* Excerpt from a book review by Chris Maxwell from Fire Evangelism, written by Che Ahn - published in MinistryToday March/April 2007 magazine.

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.

I read a number of articles and books by Christian authors and periodically I run across writings that peek my interest. I am launching a new category called “my favorites”. I hope you will find these excerpts interesting.

Recently, I read an article in MinistryToday which included an interview with Mark Beeson, senior pastor for Granger Community Church. I really like one of his responses on how the Granger church is innovative in reaching new members…

Most of the teaching that Jesus did came out of the culture of the time. Somehow we’ve taken Jesus and made worshiping him dull and irrelevant. When church is boring there’s a problem – and it’s not Jesus.*

*excerpt from A Found Generation article by Drew Dyck, published in the March/April 2007 issue of MinistryToday.