WWPF Dues

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Timmy

I was asking about the WPF itself. Is it acceptable or common for an organization to tell its members that it's OK to divert some of their tithes to itself? You're right about the members themselves, of course. They can allocate their tithes however they see fit, and if they consider the WWPF to be part of the Lord's work, then fine. But the organization itself bringing up the idea just seems a bit self-serving.

Okay, I see what you're asking. That's what I get for skimming.

[Sam]

Back in the mid nineteen seventies I was elected youth leader for this section of the Ohio District that I live in. This was with the ALJC. One condition was that I had to take out a license with the ALJC in order to hold the office. I don't remember what the dues were at the time but I asked my pastor if I could take my dues out of my tithe. He told me I could. Another young man asked his pastor the same question and was told that he could not because his tithe was for his pastor.

From what I understand, licensing with the WWPF is only done at the local church level i.e. a minister receives a license (and I would assume credentials or ordination) from the local church. Who would sign the license for the pastor of that church or who would lay hands on him/her? --some district official or member of a hierarchy? After receiving license/credentials from the local church, then $60 per month which would ordinarily go to that local church would then go to the organization headquarters. This would be $60 for each minister licensed in that congregation. This could cause financial difficulty for a local congregation. Also, what if the pastor was one who received all the tithes and handled them at his/her discretion. He/she might not agree that $60 of tithes that he/she usually got would now go to an organization.

[Hoovie]

I may be wrong... but I do not think most pastors tithe to tye local church. So if some of the socalled "Tithe" funds are used for dues, who cares?

[pelathais]

Often a minister's credentialing dues are included as part of his salary but paid by the church directly. This way the minister's dues are paid before taxes are calculated on his salary and saves the church a bit when it comes to paying his Social Security tax and Medicare. Other expenses are often allowed to be deducted before tax as well such as health care premiums and so forth.

Most districts in the UPC have a "Financial Plan" that all ministers are expected to follow. Agreement to follow the district's financial plan is part of the Manual. Theoretically, you can loose your license for failing to participate- but that ends up being something of a joke, depending on where you're at.

Most districts require that a minister pay a minimum dues amount and 10% of all ministerial income. If this were actually enforced many of our districts would be rather wealthy. The annual district conference reports are often a time of uncomfortable silence as the district secretary gently reminds the brethren of the district's financial plan. Then closed folders are passed out with the individual report of contributions made by each preacher.

When I was in the ministry full time I was told by the church that employed me that they would take care of all my dues and expenses. My annual report from the district never reflected anything resembling a tithe. If we had held this same standard up for the saints in the church we would have all starved. Thankfully the saints knew what 10% meant.

Believe me, the "tithing income" received by the WWPF, if actually paid in full by each member, will far exceed the $60 per month collected as dues.