Thursday, February 16, 2006

Using the "M" Word in Church

Presbyterian that I am, I know that it is no coincidence that my post yesterday about the "birthday party", which drew a record-setting number of comments for this blog, was followed by a lively discussion last night in the small group study I'm leading on the Gospel of Luke about Jesus' teachings on money.

"Why is the "M" word taboo in most mainline Protestant churches?" we asked ourselves. Some of the responses given in the group included:

~ Preaching about money always stirs up controversy in the church because people think they are being pressured to give more.
~ Tithing is no longer accepted as a standard by which to measure our faithfulness in giving.
~ We don't teach our children to give to the church or share with them the amount of our giving to the church.
~ People resent being told what to do with their money--they believe that their pledge should only be between them and God.
~ Although people want the amount of their giving to the church to be highly confidential (and some pastors insist on not knowing anything about individual pledges of church members), in most churches the identity of the big givers are known nonetheless.
~People want to pretend that the church doesn't need money to function, just faith.

We discussed the fact that talking about money in church always seem to be during Stewardship season, yet there are many ways in which Christians use money other than in giving to the church or charitable organizations or to individuals in need. Christians purchase products every day, make investments through pension plans or directly in stocks and bonds, and set aside money for different savings purposes. Some use money to create their own businesses and pay employees and suppliers. The list is endless in a complex economic society like ours. In most mainline churches, these other uses of the "M" word are never addressed.

Part of what horrified me and all of you who commented on yesterday's post was the breeching of that taboo by the New Light Christian Center in Houston. This group unabashedly promotes the Prosperity Gospel--and seem to have been rewarded for it as the church apparently is one of the fastest growing in the Houston area. The realization this teaching can be successful is almost impossible for us mainliners to swallow. Rev. and Mrs. Dr. Hilliard sure as shooting aren't afraid to talk about money!

The lesson for mainline Protestants is that we need to find a way to talk about money in church again. Jesus taught more about money than salvation. We must find a way to take the taboo out of the "M" word and study Jesus' teachings on the subject during and after Stewardship season.

6 comments:

Michael Kruse said...

I read in one of Nouwen's books(I think Return of the Prodigal) about a friend of his who is a therapist. The therapist said that after a few sessions most people will open up with intimate details of their childhood, private thoughts, and sex life. A few more sessions in he would ask about finances. He reported that almost every time people become defensive as if to say why are you invading my privacy?

I think we easily let money define us. And the more we have, the more defined by it we are.

little david said...

It is true that Jesus is recorded as having addressed money more than lots of other topics including heaven. This is embarassing for American Christians, because frankly we have so much more money than the rest of the world. Even if the average American Christian is only dimly aware of possessing what 95% of the world's population does not, he or she becomes uncomfortable hearing something like "You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?" [Luke 12:20] We don't mind so much when the preach rails against our neighbors' sins. But we begin to squirm when the target of the sermon is our own obsession with material wealth.

Anonymous said...

An interesting topic Grace, and one where all sides can throw proof-texts to confirm their views. Statistics indicate that most churchgoers give significantly less than a tithe. I wonder if that is because leaders of mainline congregations are so frightened of being labeled fundamentalist that they avoid any suggestions that 10% might still be an appropriate level if giving - with the result that God gets a "tip" or the loose change.

keep writing,
Annonymous - 'cos I too lazy to register

Anonymous said...

I was wondering if you'd post about the fact that this topic got so many comments.

The reason money is a taboo topic in church might have to do with the fact that we use money to combat fear. If we have enough piled away we can have security from misfortune. Rather than depending on God, most of us depend on wealth . . . at least while we have any of it.

Ironic that our national motto printed on our money is IN GOD WE TRUST . . ..

In the story of the man who tore down his barns to build larger ones, the point that strikes me is not his priorities, but the fact that he spent his life trying to have enough money to be able to enjoy his life with peace of mind . . . and he never got the chance. It really is a very tragic thing that money becomes an end in itself. I suspect this is what disturbs so much about the prosperity gospel message. We (or I) know it is wrong, but still fall into it sometimes -- maybe not in such a vulgar way, but in the saying money is important, in saying money is a sign of God's favor, in relying on money. Jesus no doubt meant it when he said we cannot serve both God and Mammon.

Anonymous said...

I can understand the many responses suggesting money should not be important, that we shouldn't rely on money, etc. However these ideas seem to be suggesting that money can not be responsibly discussed. In today's world we can not be so naive as to think that money should not be taken as a serious issue or taken as an evil issue. There is plenty of true evil in the world and “m” should be our least worry. Consider that it is what ultimately finances freedom, it is what allows medical advances, it facilitates “good deeds”, helps those we know and those we don’t know when “life happens“. Why do we demonize “it” and the folks that have “it“? Most are not obsessed, but just smart or frugal or (another bad word) savers.

Now … the gift-registry from yesterday. The idea of asking for the expensive gifts that our lady seems to require is just plain bad taste. The second issue is the $100 ticket for the fund raiser. This seems to be a good idea. If you are wanting to make money for your organization, fundraising dinners are an excellent way of doing just that. Churches are definitely organizations that require money to keep moving ahead. Churchs need to examine their financial goals and not be ashamed of making a straightforward statement and that they have financial goals. Members also need to begin looking at their fiduciary responsibility to a church. Relying on “the church” to take care of things and not realizing that this is one’s owns self leads to problems.

Back to the “M” word; I really loved reading what Grace’s study group said. Definitely some ideas worth exploring and examining in the light of day. WWJD?????

Anonymous said...

Thanks for making us look at the M word issue Grace...I believe it is time we staretd to look at how we spend out money and what effect that has on the global economy/ well being of other people (speciffically 3rd World nations).
I have been deeply effected by reading Affluenza, this led to a review of shopping habits with the result of cutting our grocery bill by 25%!!!
Giving and responsibility go hand in hand, we live in a materialistic culture and don't like to be challenged about our spending habits...time to change. As to the "Fund Rasier Post" hmmm...which Bible do they use????