[LouAvul]

$600,000 in a single weekend? That's obscene. The New Testament specifies only two occasions where Christians gave money. First, to support, or partially support, those who labor "in word and doctrine." Sadly, I can't find any preachers who labor in word and doctrine. Their sermons are superficial and shallow, and appear to have been downloaded off the internet that morning. I insist on hearing solid scholarly research. I could care less about his personal anecdotes or illustrations from his "book of illustrations." Sadly, the latter is what I hear, and it's a waste of my time.

Second, in order to help feed needy Christians. The passage in 1 Corinthians that we use to guilt attendees into maximum contributions is merely referring to a special collection to take care of needy Christians in Jerusalem. It was a special collection.

Those are the only two reasons for giving in Bible days, and remember, we always look to those events to determine how we worship.

But we've made the "contribution" a formal part of the worship. In my denomination (conservative church of Christ), it's actually a part of the communion service. And if you examine a typical budget, the vast majority of the collected funds go to support the underworked, overpaid "minister." And most congregations have more than one. Pulpit minister. Youth minister. Family life minister. Associate minister. Involvement minister. Education minister. And for the life of me, I can't figure out what any of those guys do.

And when all is said and done, when you examine the annual budget, most of the money goes to support the guys who, nobody can figure out what they do. Because they definitely don't "labor in word and doctrine." The rest will likely go to pay for the air conditioning, padded pews, expensive real estate, gymnasiums, excercise facilities, etc.

And when you get to the real reason the congregational collection began in the first place, to take care of needy saints, in most congregations you won't see a thing.

This "preacher" in the OP symbolizes this whole perverted process.

[Alex Murphy]

In my denomination (conservative church of Christ), [the offering is] actually a part of the communion service. And if you examine a typical budget, the vast majority of the collected funds go to support the underworked, overpaid "minister." And most congregations have more than one. Pulpit minister. Youth minister. Family life minister. Associate minister. Involvement minister. Education minister. And for the life of me, I can't figure out what any of those guys do. And when all is said and done, when you examine the annual budget, most of the money goes to support the guys who, nobody can figure out what they do. Because they definitely don't "labor in word and doctrine." The rest will likely go to pay for the air conditioning, padded pews, expensive real estate, gymnasiums, excercise facilities, etc.

Sounds like you have a huge problem with the ministers and accountants hired by your congregation!

[Fido969]

Pulpit minister. Youth minister. Family life minister. Associate minister. Involvement minister. Education minister. And for the life of me, I can't figure out what any of those guys do.

Worship leader, too. And if you need some ministering, it's like these guys are doing you a big favor by coming into the office for 30 minutes to talk to you.

[Morgana]

“$600,000 in a single weekend? That’s obscene.”

“We’re gathered here tonight To pay tribute to our Lord and money unto me Oh, Lord in Heaven, let us pray You TV viewers, give me your pay M I C K E Y M O U S E “ -— Dead Kennedys.

[redleghunter]

There’s an Osteen type church (he visits it ofen) where I live. Heard from my neighbors that church has a Starbucks inside the church.

[Dave W]

My, what a bitter old man you are.