Quote
A democratically elected church government means that each tithing member has one vote. Then typically there are elections by secret ballot through which all members vote for a church board that serves fixed terms.
The board then has the authority to hire or fire a pastor if they wish. They also set the budget, salaries etc.
There should be a published constitution that specifies this through its bylaws.
An independently audited and annually published financial statement, doesn't mean the church simply has an accountant on the payroll.
It means that there is an annually published budget with very specific details listing each and every salary, any compensation and expenses paid out, which is distributed annually, to all church members.
Independently audited, specifically means that an outside accounting firm has gone over the church's financial records and certifies that everything reported in the published budget or financial statement is accurate.
Impact must be incorporated and probably has tax-exempted nonprofit status. But it appears the pastor may have no meaningful accountability and the church finances are not transparent.
I must ask, without any offense meant, if you know what a biblical worldview entails, and whether you believe that this practice is within the constraints of a biblical worldview. More simply, is it scripturally correct?
Because to me, it seems you are subscribing more to a secular humanist - or even socialist worldview in this particular line of belief.
Long story short (I'm not really in the mood for the whole explanation here) read a few books. Battle For Truth by David Noebel, as well as How Now Shall We Live by Charles Colson. Those should sort a few underlying doctrines out at least.
No this is not the way a church should run. God appoints the leaders of a church. You don't believe me? You think I'm brainwashed? IT'S IN THE BIBLE!
(Romans 16:1-2)And yes I do believe in the complete and utter infallibility of the Bible, before you ask.