How can I find out what % of McLean Bible Church's revenues (donations) go to programs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find it hilarious how much people go out of their way to bash megachurches when 99% of them have never even been in one. I guess it's easier to make ignorant assumptions than it is to learn the facts about something.

+ 1

[Anonymous]

OP - I am a church administrator. All of that information should be available. If the church is not disclosing the pastor's salary, that is a HUGE red flag. I don't know this church, but all churches should be completely transparent financially. First, it's not our money. We are caretakers and given the responsibility to use resources wisely. And second, we are tax exempt.

I would run away from any church that didn't make this information clear and easy to find. I post income and expenses as well as bank account balances on our website every month.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - I am a church administrator. All of that information should be available. If the church is not disclosing the pastor's salary, that is a HUGE red flag. I don't know this church, but all churches should be completely transparent financially. First, it's not our money. We are caretakers and given the responsibility to use resources wisely. And second, we are tax exempt.

I would run away from any church that didn't make this information clear and easy to find. I post income and expenses as well as bank account balances on our website every month.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - I am a church administrator. All of that information should be available. If the church is not disclosing the pastor's salary, that is a HUGE red flag. I don't know this church, but all churches should be completely transparent financially. First, it's not our money. We are caretakers and given the responsibility to use resources wisely. And second, we are tax exempt.

I would run away from any church that didn't make this information clear and easy to find. I post income and expenses as well as bank account balances on our website every month.

I attend MBC. I do find it highly disappointing that Lon does not publish his salaries, or those of other pastors. Its simply a matter of respect. Even given this, I must say that Lon is definitely not a "prosperity preacher." The church does not try to use the bible to guilt people into giving money. When they ask for money its typically for a specific purpose. I find Lon's teachings to be biblically sound and I do believe the church is trying to serve God the best they can. Like man, they are not perfect. As such, I attend, participate and volunteer at the church, but I do not tithe to MBC unless its for a specific cause they are requesting funds for. When MBC becomes more transparent on this front, then I will gladly donate to them regularly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find it hilarious how much people go out of their way to bash megachurches when 99% of them have never even been in one. I guess it's easier to make ignorant assumptions than it is to learn the facts about something.

We don't need to go to them to understand them. We see their MEGASHEEP members.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find it hilarious how much people go out of their way to bash megachurches when 99% of them have never even been in one. I guess it's easier to make ignorant assumptions than it is to learn the facts about something.

Such a weak train of thought. One does not need to be in a thing to study it. I'm sure plenty of your fellow churchgoers have thoughts about liberal Christian religions, the Jewish faith, Islam, and Mormonism, despite never having set foot in their places of worship.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find it hilarious how much people go out of their way to bash megachurches when 99% of them have never even been in one. I guess it's easier to make ignorant assumptions than it is to learn the facts about something.

Such a weak train of thought. One does not need to be in a thing to study it. I'm sure plenty of your fellow churchgoers have thoughts about liberal Christian religions, the Jewish faith, Islam, and Mormonism, despite never having set foot in their places of worship.

Those thoughts would actually be assumptions without actually experiencing it. We all know what it means to assume...

[Anonymous]

It is widely believed that Lon Solomon's compensation is close to $1 million including benefits.

I have no problem with it if that is what his parishioners want to pay that sort of money to him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is widely believed that Lon Solomon's compensation is close to $1 million including benefits.

I have no problem with it if that is what his parishioners want to pay that sort of money to him.

I will give money to a church once my income is the same as that of the pastor

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find it hilarious how much people go out of their way to bash megachurches when 99% of them have never even been in one. I guess it's easier to make ignorant assumptions than it is to learn the facts about something.

Such a weak train of thought. One does not need to be in a thing to study it. I'm sure plenty of your fellow churchgoers have thoughts about liberal Christian religions, the Jewish faith, Islam, and Mormonism, despite never having set foot in their places of worship.

+1 I've never been in that church, but I had (note past tense) friends who kept pestering me to go with them to a service. One of them sent me a link to a youtube video of Lon's sermon, thinking he would "awaken" me to the the hell that awaited me if I didn't abandon my religion. I was appalled by the antisemtisim coming out of this guy's mouth (and to think he once was Jewish makes it worse.)

So, no. You don't have to set foot into a church to form a judgment. I know more than I want to about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

+1 I've never been in that church, but I had (note past tense) friends who kept pestering me to go with them to a service. One of them sent me a link to a youtube video of Lon's sermon, thinking he would "awaken" me to the the hell that awaited me if I didn't abandon my religion. I was appalled by the antisemtisim coming out of this guy's mouth (and to think he once was Jewish makes it worse.)

So, no. You don't have to set foot into a church to form a judgment. I know more than I want to about it.

Lon has never struck me as anti-Semitic. I think his "Jews for Jesus" agenda is needlessly abrasive. It is akin to saying "Muslims for Jesus" or "Buddhists for Jesus" which would be equally offensive.

Preach the gospel to everyone without singling any particular religion or racial group as being targets for conversion.

I used to go to MBC but decided that it was not for me.

[Anonymous]

Correct me if I am wrong, but is the jews for Jesus not a jewish organization?
A Christian outreach should not focus on just one specific group, but be open to all
I find it odd that someone would leave Judaism, but then hang around with only former jews

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They just released this information at service. Come to the church and pick up a copy of the 2015 Annual Report.

What a suggestion. Go to church and ask.

I know that it seems like houses of worship are always asking for money, and they are because it costs a lot to run one. I've never wanted to complain after I spent some time on the board of my shul. They run very lean. Electricity, repairs to equipment, and salary are big ticket items. Health insurance for staff is also not cheap. There is nothing special about my shul.

I know nothing about McLean bible, but I would wonder what you define as a "program"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Correct me if I am wrong, but is the jews for Jesus not a jewish organization?
A Christian outreach should not focus on just one specific group, but be open to all
I find it odd that someone would leave Judaism, but then hang around with only former jews

Jews for Jesus can call themselves Jews if they want, but they are not considered Jews by any of our denominations. There are independent Jewish organizations that "have a seat at our table" so to speak, but the Jew for Jesus do not.

Main stream Jews consider Jews for Jesus to be a Christian cult.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Correct me if I am wrong, but is the jews for Jesus not a jewish organization?
A Christian outreach should not focus on just one specific group, but be open to all
I find it odd that someone would leave Judaism, but then hang around with only former jews

Jews for Jesus can call themselves Jews if they want, but they are not considered Jews by any of our denominations. There are independent Jewish organizations that "have a seat at our table" so to speak, but the Jew for Jesus do not.

Main stream Jews consider Jews for Jesus to be a Christian cult.

+ 1. Jews for Jesus are people who were born Jews, but abandoned the religion when they "accepted Jesus" - as such a belief is antithetical to Judaism. It's a lie to tell a Jew that he can still be Jewish and believe in Jesus. I've heard people say that Lon Solomon is Jewish, and he calls himself that, but to all forms of Judaism - Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform - he is an apostate, someone who abandoned his religion. He, like anyone, is of course free to choose whatever religion he wants, but the shame comes from the fact that he is trying to get Jews to give up their religion and adopt Christianity. And then he sends his congregants out to pester Jews and warn them of hell. He is not a friend to the Jewish people.