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Christianity Today, May, 2009 |

Church Pink Slips

Tax exemption means layoffs hit congregations' employees harder.

Bobby Ross Jr. | posted 4/13/2009 09:25AM

During the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, grueling choices confront church leaders in places like Granger, Indiana, where the unemployment rate has approached 20 percent.

Take Granger ...

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Joy	Posted: April 27, 2009 4:39 AM

This entire situation presents a wonderful opportunity for the Church to act in a responsible and considerate way. Infact the local bodies can respond in a manner very different from how a Corporation or a secular organization would normally lay off people ruthlesssly while the top executives get paid fat salaries. The early church members shared whatever they had with other believers. Simply laying off Workers who labour for the Lord Faithfully is a great discouragement for people in Ministry. Maybe we need to rethink the way we do Church. We need to do more than just give Lip service(I'll pray that God will provide a way for you brother!!) and serve through our actions. My heart goes out to these families.

ken d.

Posted: April 22, 2009 12:35 PM

It is interesting to note how often religious organizations use less integrity in dealing with their "employees" than many secular organizations. Why expect religious employees to sacrifice for the kingdom but not the rest of the church constituency? Speaking of supporting the mission, what about the 51 billion dollars that churches owe to banks and mortgage brokers for debt on buildings and grounds? Is this more needed than a commitment to people and relationships?

Brad7777

Posted: April 19, 2009 8:11 AM

This is a sad day particularly for these workers. In addition, those just comng out of seminary are being hindered with all the more experienced staff members looking for work. Yet, why then are some conservative evangelical churches not seeing a drop in revenue/ In fact, some conservative evangelical churches are reporting an increase in revenue. Is it time for our churches that walk down the liberal avenue of Christianity to admit maybe their way of doing church is lacking?

Rodney Dezarn

Posted: April 18, 2009 1:22 PM

The Church would possibly be more efficient during an economic recession if it were not ran as a business. Many mainstream churches have eliminated the truth of scripture to continue expanding their empires. These personal kingdoms being established in their own names deserve to collapse, their ministry revolves around financial gain and their congregations are nothing more than merchandise. It would seem therefore that if a Church is built on a corruptible foundation it will collapse with a great noise. If then a Church is built upon faith and truth along with the desire to minister to the lost as was commanded of us all, then would it surely prosper with the souls of men and women who have found justification by faith. Yet today in this modern Laodicean age we have Churches filled to capacity with the spiritually dead, scripturally ignorant and led by paid clergy and staff who endorse fables. Those attending exist as their personal ticket to fortune and fame.

Gonzie

Posted: April 17, 2009 9:46 PM

This is one of the reasons I believe that the true church founded and established by Jesus Christ and his Apostles is not the same today. Christ will not let His church die. No amount of money can keep it functioning, nor and less amount can destroy it. I believe todays churches have gone main stream in their administration and function. The church nowadays is about money to keep the church alive with programs and skits and large buildings and competing with other churches for appeal. Let's get back to Evangelizing the way Christ intended. One on One. Home group prayer and bible studies. Fellowshipping with each other and sharing not only the Lord's supper at homes but regular suppers together. The Church, US, not the building, is the one thing we should concern ourselves with. If you have to meet in different homes then do so. It is in the Bible under the book of Acts. The Church is not a business. It is an institution inspired by the love of for Christ and fellowman.

Trinity

Posted: April 17, 2009 3:38 PM

The unfortunate reality is that, like the government, churches do not magically "have" money of their own -- whatever funds churches have come from people who attend church and make voluntary contributions. Further, virtually all churches have monthly bills that must be paid: mortgages or rent, utilities, supplies, wages and benefits for staff. Unlike the US Federal government, churches cannot acquire more money by printing money or by raising taxes or imposing new taxes (the latter two being the inevitable outcome of the first). So they are limited to whatever cash they actually have in hand at any given time. To the extent that churches voluntarily participated in unemployment compensation programs, they would have less money to spend on other purposes, including staff wages and benefits. This would require a wage reduction for all non-pastoral staff of about 5%. Pastor are considered "self-employed" and so are not eligible for unemployment benefits.

Anonymous

Posted: April 17, 2009 6:43 AM

Can someone comment on federal unemployment insurence / compensation benefits vs. state unemployment insurance / compensation benefits (particularly with respect to Virginia)? I have been researching this, but have not yet discussed it directly with state authorities. As near as I can determine, non-profits are exempt from Federal unemployment compensation insurance and benefits. But it appears that in the state of Virginia (and perhaps other states?) non-profits such as churches have the option of participating in the state unemployment insurance program but, if they do not participate in the insurance program they are required to reimburse the state for any unemployment claims filed by employees. Richard Hammer's books do not address state unemployment.

Phred

Posted: April 16, 2009 1:25 PM


I think Mr. West is more truthful in another vein. His statement, "it is to serve a cause or constituency" can be taken as a real description of many of churches through its groups or cliques rather than the upward call of Christ and our mission.

Kurt	Posted: April 16, 2009 12:52 PM


Jim- ditto!

ElectSake

Posted: April 15, 2009 6:58 PM


Be among the first to discuss stories like this and what to do about it at the new Revelation Now Forum www.electsake.com/RevelationNowForum

David

Posted: April 15, 2009 9:57 AM

No one ever said that serving God would be easy, or fair. Our service should be for future rewards anyway, not for this world's riches. God already knows what you have need of, so if you always seek first the Kingdom you will have provision. Be thankful the Church can still operate in the open. I'm sure B. Hussein Obama will find more ways to make Christians suffer as the spirit of anti-Christ within him rages.

george

Posted: April 15, 2009 8:46 AM


As I was reading this article, I couldn't help but wonder how much staff that is being cut is paid. In a church the size of Granger, I would think that senior staff is paid very well, and could better afford taking a cut in pay to keep staff employed, but then that would be doing to others....

mike ross

Posted: April 15, 2009 6:42 AM

I is interesting that the overinflated, burdeoning 'mega' 'church', more aptly named 'mega-cultural-ecclesiastical' entities are hurting. Their american capitalist/ materialist agendas are being pared down by reality. The rise of the small local parish, which has always been the foundation of American Chrisitian culture., is al hand, NOT these many health, wealth, gimme more entities (don't even qualify as 'churches'). Many people have given for some tax related purpose only. Sevile 'service' is in no way ...'servant-hood'. In observation of other countries, especially the old 'Eastern Bloc' Slavs, the rise of the Orthodox Church is interesting, as people are returning to the ancestral Christian Faith. April Nat Geographic has a good article on that.

Sam David, India

Posted: April 15, 2009 2:10 AM

This is disturbing... There is no reference to Biblical principles in making decisions for church or church related employment. It appears that the decisions have slowly been influenced by the world. Giving to the church is only from the excess or the extras. Please refer the Indian well known daily 'The Hindu' of 15th April '09 issue to see how a temple in India has seen increase in their income following the recession. On reading this I am ashamed at myself that my giving and the stewardship towards a living God and His church are only out of my excesses. This phenomenon is seen because of our deviation from His Word. That is, instead of a sacrificial selfless life; we have gone on to prosperity. Let this remind us to return back to the Word - Seeking His Kingdom and also His Righteousness. Most of us want His Kingdom and not His Righteousness. The Christian world outside US is prone to follow the same, thus leaving a vacuum. Sadly, Sam

Secretary

Posted: April 14, 2009 8:42 PM

Within this great nation of ours, it escapes me as to why we can't come up with new solutions instead of laying off staff--for profit or non. Why do we think this is answer when a company is pulling in 5 billion dollars in revenue? And what about the integrity and witness of the individual christian who may have difficulty in paying his/her bills? Or is their witness as well as themselves are just expendable? It looks to me, we the people have labored to be respectably employed, educated to better serve our positions, while building up the companies and our churches. Maybe that is the reason why the employer finds it so difficult in delivering the 'pink slip' as the one and only solution to this problem. I for one like to see a few better solutions.

Don	Posted: April 14, 2009 8:32 PM


Sadly the laying off of church staff is a clear testimony to the world of the churches lack of faith, hope, and love...It speaks far louder than any sermon or evangelistic outreach possibly can to what a church really believes...

Theo Allen

Posted: April 14, 2009 6:39 PM

Times of testing have a way of revealing the true character of churches. During times of prosperity churches are tempted to become overindulgent and wasteful of God's resources. They overcommit to projects and obligate themselves to banks and financing institutions, not realizing that perilous times could lie ahead. It's time for churches to deal mercifully with their staff by keeping them employed, even if it means reducing the salaries of pastors and highly paid staff. This action will reflect the spirit of the Christians in Acts 4 and 5 who sold their possessions and shared them with the poor.

Glen Barton

Posted: April 14, 2009 5:32 PM

I was raised in a church parsonage. My Dad was the pastor, my Mom baked the communion bread, and my sisters did the communion glasses, we all cleaned the church and kept the fires going. Our pay was free rent. Men used to be dedicated to soul saving and caring for the need of others. I think they called it LOVE. Have we become a nation bent on mega churches regardless of true Christianity ? Do men seek glory and honor for themselves or God ? I just heard one pastor (?) boast of baptizing 24,000 one afternoon. I guess he showed Peter! Let's wake up before it is TOO late.

derek

Posted: April 14, 2009 5:29 PM

There is an opportunity for more churches & church leaders to consider bi-vocational ministry as a more viable alternative to full-time "paid" ministry. My heart goes out to churches that "have to" issue "pink slips." Where do these church staff persons who are "laid off" without any income go for financial support - it would seem to their home church. But that church just laid them off (without any unemployment insurance benefits) because that church cannot "afford" to retain them due to dropping receipts. And on what basis is it decided who keeps his or her paying "job" and who does not? Is it automatically by "rank" based on hierarchy? Or maybe it can be based upon who might be most able to absorb the loss and recover more quickly? Seems to be a knotty potential conflict of interest for the elders. May we all who love Jesus learn good lessons from these economic times and become wiser stewards of God's resources as a result.

AllanTLG

Posted: April 14, 2009 5:06 PM

I spent 16 years in church and para-church movements with no illusions of having any health benefits or financial security. I was there for a mission. When I felt that mission could be accomplished just as well in the marketplace I quite and created a company . . . which pays for my natural communication about Christ and discipling in the marketplace. I am able to accomplish as much - if not more - as when I was "full time". I think the whole church, mega-church and para-church paradigm is broken. We encourage people to "go full time" into a non-profit without any thought of our responsibility to them as individuals and families. We tell them that we are all "family". Let me tell you . . . you do not "fire" family! These entities operate as a business more than they do a mission . . . yet they want to be exempt from responsibility. It is tragic and not a very good example to the world they are trying to reach on behalf of Christ. Let's learn to walk the talk!

Terry Miller

Posted: April 14, 2009 4:44 PM


After reading this article and in particular the comments from the Barnabas Group spokesperson it's easy to see why the Christian faith is seen as being morally and ethically bankrupt. If this article truly reflects the mindset of mainstream, modern Christianity I give you all about 10 years and you will be "out of business" as well.

jack wilson

Posted: April 14, 2009 4:40 PM


I agree with Earl. It seems only just that everyone should share in the 'hurt'. Even some secular organizations, companies, etc. are doing this! Why not Christians?

Chris

Posted: April 14, 2009 4:20 PM

An interesting story and many people are not aware of the lack of unemployment coverage for the vast majority of church employees. May God continue to help us in leadership in the church to be wise stewards of the gifts of God's people. Just an FYI, Granger Community Church is not a non-denominational church. They are a United Methodist Church and a member of the Indiana Annual Conference. Do a little better homework next time, it doesn't take much to find out Granger's Status.

steve

Posted: April 14, 2009 4:16 PM

Two Corporate Thinking Principles, not Christian principles, are revealed here ... (1) "A ministry's mission is not to employ people; it is to serve a cause or constituency," said Jim West, managing partner of the Orange County, California-based Barnabas Group, an organization for Christian leaders. (REPLY to #!) WRONG! A ministry's mission needs to be serving Christ and Him crucified. We may differ in technique, but should not differ in mission. (2) "It will be a sad day when the mission of the church is reduced to keeping people employed," added the executive pastor ... (REPLY #@) Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah blah. Corp Think! It will remain a GRAND day when ministries and churches accept responsibility for staff, and where the senior pastor or leader takes the first cut, because the church's mission includes shepherding - not using - staff. Boo on both voices.

Adam S

Posted: April 14, 2009 3:23 PM

What this article does not say and should is that exemptions have been given to churches because they say that they will care for people that are unemployed, not because they are non-profits. It is not based on the size of the organization or church but based on the church's pledge to care for the unemployed person. Most churches that opt out of unemployment do not really understand what they are pledging to do and therefore should not be opting out. It is the exact same issue as pastor's opting out of Social Security. By opting out they are asserting that their church will care for their retirement (not that they could get a better return on their investment outside the social security system). This is actually an area of integrity and obligation, not of economics and woe. I am a non-profit consultant (primarily for church based programs) and I always encourage churches and non profits to pay unemployment.

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