Entrusted with Your Gifts

When I was appointed to Boston Avenue, my son’s girlfriend commented wryly, “So, you’re going to be a TV preacher?”

My response was, “kind of.”

Technically, I am a TV Preacher, but I have trouble associating myself with this crowd because of all the connotations I have with the term from my youth.  In the 80’s, televangelists went through a succession of scandals.  

I remember a lot of problematic behavior such as prayer concerns (minus the checks) discovered in the trash bin outside one particular megachurch.  

I also remember air-conditioned dog houses and private jets.

And so, I was reluctant to associate myself with this kind of excess in ministry.  One reluctancy that many people have when giving to a large church is that their money will be spent frivolously by the pastor as a "bonus".

Fortunately, as a pastor in The United Methodist Church, I work in a system that engages in multiple checks and balances.  

For our clergy appointed to our churches, their salary is set by the charge conference as per paragraph 247.13 of The Book of Discipline.  The voting membership of a charge conference is the entire administrative board and includes any retired United Methodist pastors that are related to the charge.  This includes consultation with the district superintendent.

In order for the charge conference to receive this salary recommendation, it must first go through the Staff Parish Relations Committee (our human resource department) which includes annual reviews that are shared with the district superintendent.  Their recommendation is then sent to the church’s Finance Committee which determines if the proposed salary is in line with the budget.  Then their recommendation goes to the Administrative Board which needs an initial approval before it can even get to the charge conference.  

The compensation form with the approved salary is then signed by the pastor and the chairpersons of the staff parish relations, finance and administrative board.  Charge Conference meetings are open meetings, and all are welcome to observe the proceedings.

The salary may be adjusted throughout the year, but any raises or bonuses must go through the process outlined above.  

So, gifts that are given to a United Methodist Church are well-looked after through healthy stewardship practices.

United Methodist Churches also go through an annual audit practice that is approved and required by the conference.  Boston Avenue goes an extra mile in having their books audited from an outside source so that we are secure in our financial practices.

In light of all these steps and oversight, your gifts are secure and not abused by our clergy or other staff.  

I was recently introduced to an Instagram account entitled, “preachersnsneakers”.  It highlights expensive clothing tastes of pastors by showing what their shoes and other items cost.  Fortunately, I have never been featured on this account.

And while my current sneakers are Adidas Bounce (and quite comfortable), I think they cost less than fifty dollars at Academy.  They are made out of recycled plastic which I appreciate, but the front flap of the sole of my right shoe recently started coming loose.  Fortunately, I fixed it with some super glue!  I share this anecdote to assure you that while I appreciate the generous salary given by the church, I would never be confused with a jet-setter!

But I am a tv preacher – kind of.