It’s Mailbag Friday! How transparent should a church be about its finances?

https://media-wretched.org/Radio/Podcast/WR2024-0705.mp3

It’s Mailbag Friday! You have questions. We have answers.

If you have any questions, comments, conundrums, snarks, or ideas send them to [email protected].

Segment 1

I’m wondering about the depth of financial transparency a church should provide to its members, specifically regarding staff salaries. Some churches show only the total sum of all staff salaries in their budget, while others list each staff member’s salary individually. I’ve seen both approaches in different churches. Intuitively, full transparency seems ideal, but maybe there are aspects I’m not considering. Although it’s not a top-tier issue, I believe it’s still important to address. What are your thoughts on the appropriate level of financial disclosure in church budgets? -William

I have been experiencing fear and distrust in myself when confessing my sins, as I struggle to believe that I am truly repentant. This fear leads to obsessive thoughts and repetitive Scripture quoting. How can I find assurance of forgiveness and maintain intimacy with God despite my struggles with fear and doubt? – Mitchell

Segment 2

Are you struggling with assurance? Maybe you need to hear this…

Does God withhold blessings due to sin? I’m struggling with the fact that I desire a wife and children, but haven’t received these blessings, despite seeing others with the same sins who have. I don’t want to covet, yet I can’t help but wonder why this is happening. -Ephraim

Can you discuss how male church leaders should handle and address interactions with females? I’m curious because I saw an elder from my church meeting alone with a college girl for coffee. They were talking in a semi-secluded area, and the conversation was mostly the girl sharing personal issues, with the elder listening and offering basic Christian advice. Is it unwise for him to meet alone with a girl half his age? Should he have directed her to a female leader?  As church leaders are held to a higher standard, I’d appreciate your view on whether this situation appears unwise or gives the appearance of evil. -Anonymous

I have a concern about my daughter, who’s in her early 30s and engaged: She and her fiancé plan to travel together for three weeks in South America, prior to their marriage. While they assure me of their honorable intentions, I’m troubled by this and their resistance to my counsel. Do you have any advice you can offer for handling my discomfort, especially since I can’t prevent them from going? -Anonymous

Segment 3

I attend a great confessional church where we stand for the Doxology, but we remain seated during the reading of God’s Word. This practice has been bothering me. I know there’s a risk of elevating confessions and creeds above the Bible, and while I’m not suggesting my church is doing this, it does raise questions for me. What’s your perspective on this practice? -Michelle

Do you think it’s wise to have a term limit for elders and deacons? -Josh

I keep getting told by everyone that my main issue is I lack confidence. I try to avoid boasting about myself, but both in job searches as well as dating, it seems to stand out as a detriment as if I am weak or unmanly. Any advice in this regard. -Anonymous

Segment 4

Within the past year or so, I have been learning more about correct theology, and have realized that the church I’ve been attending since I was 8 years old (I’m now 21) is a false church. One of the secondary problems I have with the church is their stress on the King James Version of the Bible. They believe that if you don’t have a 1611 KJV Bible then you don’t have a Bible at all, and any other translations are satanically driven to deceive believers. Do you believe that this alone is reason enough to leave this church? -Daniel

If you feel like you are going to die, so you pray and tell God that you promise to change your bad behavior, and lo and behold you slip up and once again do that very thing you promised you wouldn’t!!! What is the scriptural answer? -Anonymous

As believers in the Trinity, when we pray, how should we address the Lord properly? We’ll say things like, “in Jesus’ name”, but aren’t we praying to Jesus? And do this “by your Spirit”, but aren’t we also praying to God, the Holy Spirit? -Jonah

What are your thoughts on James 2:24, which states ‘man is justified by works, and not by faith only’? I’m struggling to reconcile this with other teachings in the New Testament. Can you help me understand it better? -Levi

I’ve been constantly rejected when trying to date and it makes me sad and hurt. How can I overcome these feelings and find value in Christ instead of relationships? Are my priorities out of order? -Mike

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