NEWS FLASH regional missionary in trouble?

[Steve Epley]

Originally Posted by ChTatum

This does not fit the definition of "embezzlement".

If it is a known fact, it is not dishonest or even unethical.

They are NOT telling the saints who are giving X amount of dollars for missionary so & so that now folks part of this money he ain't gonna see the HQ takes out their plug first. But among the ministry it is known. And it is BOTH unethical and dishonest.

[Felicity]

I truly do NOT understand the thinking of some people. We visited some of the officials' homes and they were not living in huge luxury, I can assure you.

It might interest you to know that many missionaries are living in homes overseas that they would never ever be able to live in here.

We had lovely homes to live in when we were in HK. First of all because we lived in the New Territories where it was cheaper and secondly we were blessed to find a place owned by a man who was willing to let us go in and choose flooring, cupboard, light fixtures, colors, carpets.......everything! It was brand new! And it was beautiful!

None of the missionaries I've known in the UPCI were suffering, that's for sure.

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

They are NOT telling the saints who are giving X amount of dollars for missionary so & so that now folks part of this money he ain't gonna see the HQ takes out their plug first. But among the ministry it is known. And it is BOTH unethical and dishonest.

I don't think most of the saints care and I don't think it would affect the giving.

Who raises the money anyhow? It's the missionaries who raise the money. It's a result of them sharing their burden, their passion and their mission. People buy into that and there are always going to be administrative costs. Most people understand this. I don't think that 99% of them would or do have a problem with that.

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

The percentage taken out is a known fact. If a church pledges $100 for missionary so & so which is designated money and a percentage is taken out and the missionary does not get the money then what is that???? It is like "THIS offering goes to the evangelist" then plunder it for expenditures is this honest or not?

Bro. Epley
You really are smarter than what you are sounding here. If you have a magic way to run the administrative machine with something other than money let us know.
Every missionary who signs up is told how the expenses and overhead is paid and the ratio is actually very good in comparison to other similar organizations. Add to that the fact that the UPC does not nickel and dime its missionaries and provides them with healthcare and retirement packages that are the envy of missionaries from other structures and see just how much the missionaries themselves are complaining.
BTW it is not dishonest to use funds raised for a missionary to pay for the support structure that is enabling him to be on the field.

Just another Guy.

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by Guy

Bro. Epley
You really are smarter than what you are sounding here. If you have a magic way to run the administrative machine with something other than money let us know.
Every missionary who signs up is told how the expenses and overhead is paid and the ratio is actually very good in comparison to other similar organizations. Add to that the fact that the UPC does not nickel and dime its missionaries and provides them with healthcare and retirement packages that are the envy of missionaries from other structures and see just how much the missionaries themselves are complaining.
BTW it is not dishonest to use funds raised for a missionary to pay for the support structure that is enabling him to be on the field.

Just another Guy.

Exactly!!

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

They are NOT telling the saints who are giving X amount of dollars for missionary so & so that now folks part of this money he ain't gonna see the HQ takes out their plug first. But among the ministry it is known. And it is BOTH unethical and dishonest.

You are entitle to your opinion - as wrong and small minded as it may be.
What are people supposed to think - that angels do the administrative work for free.
Anybody who has ever run any kind of organization or business understands that if you want it you've got to pay for it.

[Thad]

Originally Posted by Guy

Bro. Epley
You really are smarter than what you are sounding here. If you have a magic way to run the administrative machine with something other than money let us know.
Every missionary who signs up is told how the expenses and overhead is paid and the ratio is actually very good in comparison to other similar organizations. Add to that the fact that the UPC does not nickel and dime its missionaries and provides them with healthcare and retirement packages that are the envy of missionaries from other structures and see just how much the missionaries themselves are complaining.
BTW it is not dishonest to use funds raised for a missionary to pay for the support structure that is enabling him to be on the field.

Just another Guy.

you raise a valid point Guy but can you tell me WHY our missionairies have to go on a begging campaign every 4 years? there has got to be a better way don't you think ?


carey you are right. I know a pastor personally who sends his funds directly. some are sending it to one pastor who sends it to missionaries because they don't trust headQs

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by Thad

you raise a valid point Guy but can you tell me WHY our missionairies have to go on a begging campaign every 4 years? there has got to be a better way don't you think ?


carey you are right. I know a pastor personally who sends his funds directly. some are sending it to one pastor who sends it to missionaries because they don't trust headQs

It's not a begging campaign. It's an OPPORTUNITY and a PRIVILEGE! It's a wonderful way of making the fellowship aware of the needs around the world.

You got to trust SOMEbody. Who knows but what the missionary might misappropriate funds?

[Steve Epley]

Originally Posted by Guy

Bro. Epley
You really are smarter than what you are sounding here. If you have a magic way to run the administrative machine with something other than money let us know.
Every missionary who signs up is told how the expenses and overhead is paid and the ratio is actually very good in comparison to other similar organizations. Add to that the fact that the UPC does not nickel and dime its missionaries and provides them with healthcare and retirement packages that are the envy of missionaries from other structures and see just how much the missionaries themselves are complaining.
BTW it is not dishonest to use funds raised for a missionary to pay for the support structure that is enabling him to be on the field.

Just another Guy.

I realizr administrative expenses must be covered even us Kentuckians from the Gap understand that, however the money DESIGNATED cannot be those funds. UNDESIGNATED funds should be used for that NOT a percentage of designated funds! Revivals costs however to raid monies taken up FOR the evangelist to cover those expenses is not honest! If the saints are aware that a percentage of their money is going for administrative costs I have no problem. If NOT then it is unethicial and dishonest.

[rrford]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

The percentage taken out is a known fact. If a church pledges $100 for missionary so & so which is designated money and a percentage is taken out and the missionary does not get the money then what is that???? It is like "THIS offering goes to the evangelist" then plunder it for expenditures is this honest or not?

Say, some of us explain those types of things to the churches we pastor. They seem to understand "administrative costs."