Dodgy Church Pastor

[observant79]

Since last year June I have been attending a church local to me in Leicester and think the Pastor runs it like his own personal business. AIBU to think that a charity/religious church shouldn’t be run by a range rover driving, designer clothes wearing, council house living, 3 trips a year to South Africa taking, no other job/jncome having “man of God”?

I can’t help but feel the charity commissioner needs to investigate this man.

The church ks completely run by him and his wife and they collect tithes and offerings weekly and emphasise no one will be blessed if they don’t give to the church.

Giving 10% of your income to your church is normal and most churches encourage this, especially if running costs are expensive. However finances should be transparent. There should be a treasurer and trustees who meet at least once a year. Some churches have paid staff, some don't.

Blessings and giving are in no way related.

Either way, that pastor sounds dodgy.

The ‘church’ model you describe is very common in the Bible Belt in the US . I think Louis Theroux visited a few .

There are some very wealthy pastors - the word itself makes me suspicious. They are unlikely to be theologists , more like snake oil salesmen.

Its not unusual to pay to be a church member, but as pp says, it’s not for the benefit of the minister.

As others have said, you need to find out if it’s part of a denomination and if it’s a registered charity. If it’s a charity, their accounts will be publicly available on the charity commission website. Does he have elders or a Board who approve his salary or is it a one-man band?

There’s lots of things you can do to bring accountability to this situation. I’m a Christian and think it’s incredibly important that church finances are transparent.

p.s God’s blessing in your life has zero connection to the amount of money you give to a church.

Take it from someone who knows Cof E vicars like my husband get paid a stipend which is set nationally. I also work full time and beig in a decent wage. It may be that his partner is bringing a decent pay packet in which affords flashy things. People have questioned me occasionally and are surprised when they find I have my own full time job. This flashy pastor person doesn't sound any of the C of E vicars I know round here.

Dodgy as hell.
Is it a C of E church? Report it to the Bishop.

it is a completely independent charity with 3 trustees, one being the “Pastor” and two other church members. One lady who is a trustee has stated she has never attended a trustee meeting and isn’t involved in the finances as the pastor runs it. And she trusts him.

Thanks to everyone who responded. I don’t give to the church as a can’t due to not being financially stable right now.

However I hear other members share how they gave £1k to the church and how most people give 10% of their income every month as tithes. But the odd thing is its not via Gift Aid the church doesn’t use that at all. So its cash or bank transfers

The pastors wife doesn’t work either and isn’t registered as an employee of the church. They have 5 children and live in a council house. I at first thought the money for the big yearly holidays to South Africa and two range rovers were from their personal business or jobs but nope.

Definitely report to the Charity Commission then.
If you have any concrete evidence of misappropriation of money, supply that too.

Why on earth would people go to this.

And you’ve carried on going since June?! 🤦🏼‍♀️

I completely agree and honestly am trying to leave the church quietly as they don’t take too kindly to people leaving.

The trustees do not actually see the church acciunts and are just named but don’t have any meetings etc. The pastor seems to shut anyone down who asks too many questions.

I don’t have physical evidence but it’s pretty obvious the church funds are his & his family’s.

I've never attended a church that has encouraged this. I don't think anyone I know is giving 10% of their income to the church.

I know, I was in desperate situation with my ex partner & children and really wanted to be in a church were people were sharing testimonies on relationships turning around and so I went. And am trying to leave quietly as it really is more like a cult.

OP,

You can learn more as easily as you can update this thread. And now we would like the story!

Go to the Charities Commission website and search on the name of the church, the pastor’s name and possibly his wife’s name to see if the church is a registered charity.

If so, assuming annual income is over £25K, they are required to submit an annual independent financial report - or audit if income is over £250K - and an annual report, signed off by the trustees.

If they aren’t doing this, report them. Come back here and we can help

If they aren’t a registered charity, as PP said I am not sure what options you have. Again, come back here and we may be able to help.

At least we can get you started!

Please do this. Don’t let a con man take money from gullible people. What you said about the trustee was a red flag.

OP- just stop going and report them to the charity commission.

Just stop going and if they have your phone number/email then block them.

I”ll just say Charity number: tel:1140455 1140455

I was shocked they bring in about £175k a year and ask for donations towards conferences etc and he managed to get on wealthy member to pay the churches rent for a year.

All I have is what I have heard and been told no documentation. However, the fact he has two range rovers and self funds travel for his family to South Africa annually and bought a caravan for his family in Skegness. While living in a council house. He lives very well.

Stop going and report them. Block any contact. It does sound like a cult and needs to be shut down. There are lots of other places you can get support. I’d try to aim for one that isn’t going to target vulnerable people and actually wants to support people. A church might not be the best place for help around relationships etc

!!!

You don't know where his money has come from, and I think you are unreasonable to expect a pastor to be poorly off financially.

I would have an issue with him saying that no one can be blessed unless they give money to the church. That sounds medieval to me, like when people gave money in exchange for forgiveness of sins.

Find a different church.

What are they going to do? Just stop turning up. If they harass you call the police.

Phil Collins nailed it

In my experience (of main stream Anglican churches), encouraging regular giving is a completely normal part of being part of a church. The 10% is also known as tithing - giving 10% of what you earn. This means different things to different people - before or after tax? including other charitable giving?
Some people can afford to give more, some less but 10% is the figure we are encouraged to prayerfully consider.

He literally says you will not be blessed unless you give to this altar and this church. Word for word, three services a week. And I can’t give so don’t give.

Just wanted to add that financial giving to a church should be a personal thing, between you and God. In my church, only the treasurer knows how much you give (if you give through your bank account or gift aid). No plate is passed around.
I know of some churches (independent African churches) where people have to walk up to the front and place their money in a box in front of everyone, which isn't right.

It’s a personality cult, not a real church.

join a real one Methodist , c of e, catholic, Quaker, urc, so many good ones.

The real ministers get paid very little (many have to use food banks as the stipend is so low).