A friend grew up on the mission field. For him, the distinction between what belonged to the mission and what belonged to the missionary was never entirely clear. Later, as a pastor, the graying of the line between church property and pastor’s possessions led to financial abuse and an eventual conviction for embezzling church funds.
Since then, I have reflected a lot on the distinction between mine and thine. That distinction, I’ve found, is not always clear. Consider the following:
Office Supplies. When is it appropriate to use church letterhead? Church stamps? How much of the letter must be ministry related to justify the church’s paying for it?
Telephone. Should the church pay for a call to my parents to consult about a church problem? How about the long-distance call to a pastor friend (we’re both in the Lord’s work, aren’t we)? Should my present church pay for calls to former parishioners regarding issues related to my previous ministry?
Publications. If your church provides a book and/or subscription fund, are those items purchased in your name or the church’s? Do they remain with the church when you leave?
Automobile. Our church has a gas credit card for refueling the church van. Am I entitled to use that card to fill up my car if it is used for a church outing?
Hospitality. Was the breakfast I had this morning business or personal? What constitutes ministry? How much of the conversation over the meal would have to be about church or spiritual matters to justify reimbursement?
Continuing education. What is a pastor entitled to charge against the conference account? Do conferences have to be directly related to one’s profession? What about classes to retrain for another specialty? If the church sends you to a conference, are you obligated to attend the entire conference, or is some time off legitimate?
Time. I’m writing this article during normal working hours. Should I confine my writing to other than “company time”? What if I’m writing sermons or teaching material that can double as publishable material? Am I entitled to the profits?
I don’t have any easy answers. Ministry and personal life are almost inseparable. I’ve found more questions than answers. But integrity demands that we constantly be asking the question, “Is this mine or thine?” To stop asking the question, or to cease being willing to discuss the matter openly with the board, is to invite compromise of our personal integrity.
-Richard L. Bergstrom
Euzoa Bible Church
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Leadership Spring 1988 p. 40
Copyright © 1988 by the author or Christianity Today/Leadership Journal. Click here for reprint information on Leadership Journal.
