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rrmoderator
alteredpilot:
You said, "i know what a healthy church looks like".
Is your branch of Praise Chapel "healthy"?
i do believe that it is.
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rrmoderator
Is there meaningful and detailed financial disclosure?
This is done through an annual financial statement/budget, which discloses in detail all salaries, compensation and expenses paid out from church funds, which is independently audited by an outside accounting firm.
Does your church do that?
yes. it is presented every year at the congregational meeting, along with the projected budget for the coming year, which must be approved and voted on.
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rrmoderator
Is your pastor accountable?
Meaningful accountability is typically provided through church bylaws, which require a democratically elected board elected by the general church membership. The board can then hold the pastor accountable and has the power to fire him. The board would also set the budget, including salaries, compensation, etc. and serve fixed terms, subsequently standing for election again or leaving office and being replaced by newly elected board members.
This is how most Protestant churches are run.
Is your church run like that?
yes.
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rrmoderator
Additionally there is most often also denominational accountability through an umbrella organization such as the Southern Baptist Convention, Assemblies of God, etc. The denomination sets church doctrinal standards, educational requirements for staff and may address grievances. The denomination is also governed by an democratically elected leadership, typically elected by church representatives (who are elected at by their respective church membership) at a regularly held convention.
Is your church accountable through an umbrella organization that is governed democratically?
we are non denominational. per our bylaws: autonomous, independent, self-governing, not subject to the authority of any religious organization, council, or persons. the oversight and leadership of the church is the responsibility of the elders.
we are however part of PCCF and affiliated with the restoration movement churches ('the Christian Church", "Church of Christ").
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rrmoderator
Are the critics of Praise Chapel "paranoid" or perceptive?
Paranoia is certainly a loaded term and certainly an unfair characterization of someone who holds a strong conviction based on personal experience. i realize that i used the term 'paranoia" loosely in a response to an earlier post, but i had no intent of painting anyone here as paranoid. perceptive. i believe that every individual here has every right to hold the perception that they do. they have had experiences that i have no first hand knowledge of so i cannot dispute what they perceive based on that experience. conversely, they also hold very strong opinions about things that they have no first hand knowledge of. and that i understand also. if i had bought a hyundai 25 years ago, you'd be hard pressed to tell me that today a hyundai is a great car. (i know, its a VERY loose analogy).