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Thankyou for all the responses
With respect
There has been many scripture provided to say it is wrong, but no scripture provided by members that clearly says it is right and Godly... I stand to and welcome correction.
At the moment I can not see any example of Jesus life where he or his disiples charged to hear his word/message though, which makes me lose alot of faith in the modern christian world. Let alone it is a cause of debate and detterent for many of my non christian friends who who me well
I actually had a response from an elder in my church and I dont fully agree with his position I do understand the motives, and somewhat accept this stance. Most people in my church just ignored my question,...
He said that the church will pay for anyone who approches them saying they cant afford it, and they accept both charging visiting preachers and preachers that will graciously accept only a collection. He also said that the church has had problems before with being billed for 1st class flights for several people for 1 guy to come and preach, when even if they are billing the church they should be flying normal class...
I think I have come to the conclusion that it is wrong and not biblical to do so, so I will be much more accepting of a message brought by someone not charging
With respect
There has been many scripture provided to say it is wrong, but no scripture provided by members that clearly says it is right and Godly... I stand to and welcome correction.
At the moment I can not see any example of Jesus life where he or his disiples charged to hear his word/message though, which makes me lose alot of faith in the modern christian world. Let alone it is a cause of debate and detterent for many of my non christian friends who who me well
I actually had a response from an elder in my church and I dont fully agree with his position I do understand the motives, and somewhat accept this stance. Most people in my church just ignored my question,...
He said that the church will pay for anyone who approches them saying they cant afford it, and they accept both charging visiting preachers and preachers that will graciously accept only a collection. He also said that the church has had problems before with being billed for 1st class flights for several people for 1 guy to come and preach, when even if they are billing the church they should be flying normal class...
I think I have come to the conclusion that it is wrong and not biblical to do so, so I will be much more accepting of a message brought by someone not charging
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^ If someone billed me first class flights after the fact, that would definitely be a problem. If someone asked for first class flights before the fact, that would make me think twice, but I would not exclude the possibility without considering all the factors.
As to Jesus and the others not asking for money, that is true, but they were supported. They ate, they slept, they were hosted in people's houses, etc. Paul worked a secular job, but clearly did not expect all those in ministry to work secular jobs (see 1 Timothy 5:17-18 in particular, in the context of the rest of 5 - widows are to be honoured, but elders are worthy of double honour).
I think there was a first century distinction between an apostle and an elder or prophet, and apostle being itinerant and the other two being resident. However, quite how far we should maintain this distinction depends very much on what you think about the special status of apostles in the immediate wake of Christ. Most preachers, however, are part of a local church, unlike Paul - I'm not sure of any examples of the Pauline style apostle today.
The reality is you have to take these things on a case by case basis. I would always try to make evangelistic events free, but I think the church should be willing to put their money where their mouth is and support all workers in Christ as much as possible.
Some here try to make out that those in ministry should not be paid for their ministry work, which is wrong, unbiblical, and simply not pragmatic. If you make a pastor have to have a full time job to support a family, they will serve you less. It's that simple. Why would you not prefer to support someone who can devote themselves full time to preaching the word and leading a church in service?
As to Jesus and the others not asking for money, that is true, but they were supported. They ate, they slept, they were hosted in people's houses, etc. Paul worked a secular job, but clearly did not expect all those in ministry to work secular jobs (see 1 Timothy 5:17-18 in particular, in the context of the rest of 5 - widows are to be honoured, but elders are worthy of double honour).
I think there was a first century distinction between an apostle and an elder or prophet, and apostle being itinerant and the other two being resident. However, quite how far we should maintain this distinction depends very much on what you think about the special status of apostles in the immediate wake of Christ. Most preachers, however, are part of a local church, unlike Paul - I'm not sure of any examples of the Pauline style apostle today.
The reality is you have to take these things on a case by case basis. I would always try to make evangelistic events free, but I think the church should be willing to put their money where their mouth is and support all workers in Christ as much as possible.
Some here try to make out that those in ministry should not be paid for their ministry work, which is wrong, unbiblical, and simply not pragmatic. If you make a pastor have to have a full time job to support a family, they will serve you less. It's that simple. Why would you not prefer to support someone who can devote themselves full time to preaching the word and leading a church in service?
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Hi Nick, thanks for the reply, I also agree that food etc should be provided for preachers, by free will though. And that they should be rewarded, again by free will. Restricting poor people from God I cant see that ever being in scripture yet?
" If someone asked for first class flights before the fact, that would make me think twice, but I would not exclude the possibility without considering all the factors. " I dont get why a preacher should ever fly first class and charge a church or the people looking to hear there message for that" the only exception is that is a church/christian body wamts to bless an individual by paying for them to fly business class. the church voluntarily blessing a preacher through tithes is very differnt from charging the local person for it, or it being demanded, which I belive is a point you made
" If someone asked for first class flights before the fact, that would make me think twice, but I would not exclude the possibility without considering all the factors. " I dont get why a preacher should ever fly first class and charge a church or the people looking to hear there message for that" the only exception is that is a church/christian body wamts to bless an individual by paying for them to fly business class. the church voluntarily blessing a preacher through tithes is very differnt from charging the local person for it, or it being demanded, which I belive is a point you made
The administrators of this website grant you the privilege of reading and posting on it... for free. The host of this website charges for space on their servers. No money = no server = no website = no privilege to use it. Even for free.
We are called to support those who minister to us. By free will giving is the preferred method, but again, ask the CC admins how well that works out these days. All they ask is $1 a month and yet very few will even offer up that.
The problem isn't that minsters are asking money for their services. The problem is that too few of the ministered-to are willing to support them. Which is the worse problem - ministers asking for money, or the ministered not willing to give even a paultry amount? I think those who won't give support are the worse, and they are the reason why ministers must then ask.
We are called to support those who minister to us. By free will giving is the preferred method, but again, ask the CC admins how well that works out these days. All they ask is $1 a month and yet very few will even offer up that.
The problem isn't that minsters are asking money for their services. The problem is that too few of the ministered-to are willing to support them. Which is the worse problem - ministers asking for money, or the ministered not willing to give even a paultry amount? I think those who won't give support are the worse, and they are the reason why ministers must then ask.
No one grants me any "privilege" to speak here. For that the owner must initially charge a fee to do so. If it is free, then I reserve my right to then speak freely. That being said, the owner has an equal right to ban me or anyone else regardless of any rule he "officially" states as applicable.
That being said, the issue at hand is money. Get rid of it as a whole and this problem won't exist.
That being said, the issue at hand is money. Get rid of it as a whole and this problem won't exist.
Well, yeah, that's very true but extremely unlikely. In fact just the opposite is going to happen... money will be rid of, replaced by something we won't be allowed to partake of at all.
And really, you don't think being granted free use of something that someone else pays for is a privilege? Methinks you're not very appreciative of their efforts and grace.
And really, you don't think being granted free use of something that someone else pays for is a privilege? Methinks you're not very appreciative of their efforts and grace.