Ex-Pastor Found Guilty In Embezzling $1M From Chur - Page 2

ManOfWord · #11 10-01-2010, 10:15 AM

The only thing I personally handle regarding finances is that I sign the payroll checks. Other than that, I'm not involved. I can't even get into the QuickBooks account to print checks. I can get in to view it, but not edit or make transactions. I don't even touch the offering. I get my paycheck and that's it.

That doesn't mean that I can't make decisions or purchase items, but there are limits and I feel that those limits are reasonable and I have no problem working within them. I don't even make up the financial report at the end of the year. We've been doing it this way for quite a few years...actually since I've been here, which is almost 13yrs. I don't see these as restrictions and in fact, I feel quite safe with them. I do have a church AmEx card, which I use. Obviously, every purchase is recorded and reconciled at the end of the month when my Admin. Asst. gives me the bill.

We should not be fearful, but we should have the proper pieces in order for protection. It keeps us OFF the "suspect" list!

coadie · #12 10-01-2010, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geekette

Just wanted to second this--great advice! I work for a financial institution and even on the computing side we're big on "dual control," "dual custody," and "peer review." It just makes sense, especially when you're talking about money.

Our church requires 2 signatures on checks. There may be a minimum on this. Like someone taking a check under 50 dollars and signing it for supplies purchases. A bank will tell a pastor some internal control steps. You don't have to pay a CPA 90 dollars an hour for every little suggestion.
Another step is vacations. Does someone in cash handling leave on vacation a week or 2 and a different person cover the responsibility. In embezzlement, the perp often never leaves.

berkeley · #13 10-01-2010, 11:05 AM

Set him free. That's how most pastors use the building fund money.

rgcraig · #14 10-01-2010, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Berkley

Set him free. That's how most pastors use the building fund money.

Huh?

coadie · #15 10-01-2010, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Prosecutors said Thompson spent church funds on luxury cars, a pool, a boat and hair treatments, 10TV News reported.

Note to self
Check the pastors hair Sunday.

CC1 · #16 10-01-2010, 12:37 PM

Wow! Very sad and proof that to protect everybody involved churches need financial safeguards. That this guy would have the ability to get at all of that money that was above and beyond his compensation as Pastor is wrong. At the very least there should be mechanisms for accountability if the pastor is going to control the funds. A review of all transactions should be SOP so that anybody with purchasing / financial authority knows their actions are going to be looked at.

This man is not only criminally responsible but will have to answer to God for failing so miserably as a spiritual leader. When a pastor fails the ripple is far reaching.

Praxeas · #17 10-01-2010, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ManOfWord

I couldn't agree more, AB! I was never personally mistreated in any way in all my years of association there.

I will say this, that there is a leadership paradigm, in the UPCI, which teaches by example that the pastor has sole control of everything. There are very little, if any, checks and balances in the local church. This is dangerous even for good men. It has been propagated for decades and has been the downfall of far too many pastors.

The fear is that church boards will control the pastor's preaching/teaching etc. Servant leaders never have to fear that. I pray for him and fear for him at the same time.

Right, even in churches I know of where they have a board, all the members are hand picked yes men of the Pastor

coadie · #18 10-01-2010, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Right, even in churches I know of where they have a board, all the members are hand picked yes men of the Pastor

I have also seen a lot of churches where they turn over pastors every 2.6 years. The board runs them off. The pulpit has to be filled by a yes man.

Sock puppet ministry?

rgcraig · #19 10-01-2010, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coadie

I have also seen a lot of churches where they turn over pastors every 2.6 years. The board runs them off. The pulpit has to be filled by a yes man.

Sock puppet ministry?

In UPC?

coadie · #20 10-01-2010, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgcraig

In UPC?

It is very rare. I bet some good UPC preachers wish there was more turnover so they could get recruited.