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July 09, 2004
Nacho Cheese
Here's an idea that I cannot get out of my head. Churches are not deliberative bodies.
I hesitate slightly in casting aspersions on any church that ain't my own church, but I think a certain fact remains: When it comes to parishoners, congregants, members of the chruch having quarrells withe the way their minister spends money - it ain't democracy. As far as I can see it boils down to this in the Christian church. As soon as that money leaves your hand and drops into the basket, it's God's money. That means you got no say in what happens to it or what it's used for, it's not your cheese. Some churches, and it's more than a few, will tell you that's God's money even while its still in your pocket and only the devil is making you hold onto it. Sure they'll call it god's blessing or god's grace, but whatever they call it, it ain't yours. For the moment, I'll call money cheese after the hiphop argot, because everybody knows that hiphopers are the most materialistic creatures on the planet and they're not about to give up their cheddar for any spiritual blessings.
I bring this up tangentially to the old, black politics in church thing. See I have come under the spell of the argument that the reason that the Democrats get away with murder when it comes to actual accountability to black communities is because said black communities are met at church. And of all the folks who will forgive, forget and be thankful for whatever they get, it's black churchfolk. You see they are members of black churches where what's mostly done by the people at the pulpit who collect the cheese, is blessings and exhortations. And if your cheese ain't working for you, well.. it's God's money.
I am sure there are some very significant moral reasons for signifying in front of parishoners, but let me ask anyone who knows: What does your church's budget look like? What is your church's fiscal year? How much does your pastor make? What is your church building worth? What recourse do you have if you don't like what's being done with your cheese?
Rude questions, right? Perhaps. My point is that I don't see many counter-examples of a fiscally informed laity. And that may not be the point of going to church, but it sets a horrible example for dealing responsibly with politicians and expecting accountability. Where else are you getting your examples?
I don't know what percentage of blackfolks who vote are fiscally oblivious churchfolks. But it seems to me that's where Democrats have been going for black votes for generations, and they're on to something.
Posted by mbowen at July 9, 2004 12:15 PM
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� MICHAEL BOWEN COMMENTARY: Nacho Cheese from Booker Rising
Cobb has some "heretical" thoughts: perhaps one reason why the Democrats get away with so much unaccountability to black voters is because of church influence? "And of all the folks who will forgive, forget and be thankful for whatever they get, it's... [Read More]
Tracked on July 10, 2004 10:10 AM
Comments
"...What recourse do you have if you don't like what's being done with your cheese?..."
The obvious answer - visit a vesrty meeting & find out what's going on. Politely but firmly explain your concerns. Often the rumpled trenchcoat approach (ala Columbo) is useful.
If all else fails, vote with your feet.
Posted by: True_Liberal at July 10, 2004 05:10 PM
So the question is do the big spenders immediately get into the vestry meetings? How much like a business, with regard to investments, are churches run?
Posted by: Cobb at July 11, 2004 10:59 AM
...and I can only speculate at a parallel issue in the mosques...
Posted by: True_Liberal at July 12, 2004 02:01 PM
Ummm, you're kidding right? Our church has quarterly business meetings for the full congregation where we get a detailed treasuer's report that list expenditures and income by line items. Of course we know how much our pastor makes, and how much he spends on travel, etc. Isn't everyone doing this? I guess not. If a member can't attend the meetings, they can stop by the church office and get a copy of the minutes and the reports.
Posted by: Sandra at July 14, 2004 07:47 AM