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Are We Really for Smaller Government in the Church?

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 12817 **5/18/16 10:25 am**

Reagan said, "As government expands, liberty contracts." It seems to me that, just as our national government in the US of A definitely would be much improved if it were made smaller and leaner, even so our cumbersome, top-heavy denominational governmental structure also would be greatly improved if it were made smaller and leaner. And the only way that the US Govt or any other organization will ever actually become smaller, leaner, and more efficient is by cutting taxes and cutting spending.

I believe the ToT cut was a good thing for the CoG. I believe we would do even better as a denomination if we were to trim the amount even further that each local church has to send to support the top-heavy structure. If we do not cut it, it will by nature continue to expand as much as possible, just as the US Govt will always grow larger as long as the money keeps flowing into its coffers, regardless of the party in power. I say we institute a ten-year gradual reduction in the mandated amount each CoG must send into the denominational government to 5% of the local tithes collected. Leaner is better. We will be a greatly improved denomination if we reduce the top-heavy structure. It will never be made smaller and leaner until the flow of money is reduced.

Re: Are We Really for Smaller Government in the Church?

Golf Cart Mafia Consigliere Posts: 3382 **5/18/16 10:39 am**

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 12817 **5/18/16 10:44 am**

I did not agree with how the allocation of the ToT was adjusted at the time. That said, I would say the 5%, if we adopted it, should be almost completely for administration (of both the HQ and World Mission) with missionaries and missions projects being essentially voluntarily supported by local churches.

Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology Posts: 7307 **5/18/16 2:29 pm**

OTCP in 5,4,3,2,1........................ Laughing

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Charles A. Hutchins
Senior Pastor SPWC
Congregational Church of God

www.spwc.church

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 12817 **5/18/16 3:00 pm**

Note, I propose a half a percent reduction per year for 10 years, from the current 10% to a goal of 5%. Such a slow rate of reduction should be more helpful in allowing the leadership to trim the fat in a manner that is not too severe in its effects, like for instance 1% per year would be.

Re: Are We Really for Smaller Government in the Church?

01000001 01100011 01110100 01110011 Posts: 24285 **5/19/16 11:46 pm**

[quote="Quiet Wyatt"]Are We Really for Smaller Government in the Church?

I don't think so. (rank and file yes, leadership, no)
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Some facts but mostly just my opinion!
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http://shipslog-jack.blogspot.com/

We've discussed this before

Acts-celerater Posts: 935 **5/24/16 7:40 am**

but just to update something for you to consider:

The AG has 12,897 churches as of 2015 and 37,000 ministers. Each church is required to give an annual Fellowship offering dependent upon its avg. Sunday am worship attendance, ie if you have 250 avg you are asked to give $100 to the General Council annually. In addition, it is RECOMMENDED (not required) that a local church give 1% of its annual General Fund income to the District (like Ohio or NC) annually. In addition, each of the AG credential holders pay to the General Council an amount varying by credential. Ordained ministers are required to give $360 per year and they must give 80% of the 10% regular tithe to their local District. That's it and it funds the District offices with a Supt. Asst Supt, Treasurer, Secretary and ministries support staff as well as funding the National Headquarters with the hundreds and hundreds of people who work there although some like the Missions Dept are paid thru other revenue streams like Missions etc.

If the AG, as big as it is can do it for this amount of money why can't the COG do it also without overtaxing your local churches? It does give one pause. If we had to give 10% of our General Fund to the National Office it would overwhelm most of our churches and severely limit most of their ministry opportunities.

Just a thought. Not saying the AG is better just an alternative way of doing things.

License fee?

01000001 01100011 01110100 01110011 Posts: 24285 **5/24/16 10:45 am**

BJ mentioned something I did not know. That AG ministers were 'charged' (not a good word but I lose words at times) yearly for holding a license.

It has been so long I cannot remember what I did in the COG. BUT as a North Carolina General Contractor I must pay a fee yearly to keep the license up to date. I am old now and may never build again, but I renew the license yearly. I never thought about a yearly fee for ministers. Methinks that if I still held license in the COG I would be 'agin it'! Smile

_________________
Some facts but mostly just my opinion!
jacsher@aol.com
http://shipslog-jack.blogspot.com/

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 12817 **5/24/16 11:24 am**

The A/G requires ministers to pay a majority of their personal tithes into the denomination in order to retain their ordination or license each year. The CoG requires ministers to tithe into their local church, and each local church to send the tithe of the tithe into the denomination monthly. I personally would like to see the amount required of local churches reduced to 5% eventually. This would be a win-win for both the denominational offices and the local churches. Anything that helps the local church thrive will help the denomination thrive.

01000001 01100011 01110100 01110011 Posts: 24285 **5/24/16 11:31 am**

Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology Posts: 6385 **5/24/16 11:37 am**

reductions are probably not a good idea in this era. A cap would be a better idea. 10% until inflation exceeded 3%. Then the difference added to the 10%. If inflation drops below 3% then the Tithes drops back to 10%.

Remember inflation not only affects you and I but top managements goals as well.