Business Relationships in the Church
- Thread starter CriTAUcal
- Start date
Fortitude
Sybarite
Relationship, yes, venture.....well, it would depend on how well I knew them, but most likely, not. My first real estate agent attends my church. She dragged her feet in finding me what I wanted & kinda got on my nerves at times; I chose a 2nd agent in my office who subsequently assisted me in getting what I wanted. When I got to church that Sunday, I had no problem in going over to her(#1) & telling her someone else had found me a house. It's all business and you MUST compete for mine! You snooze; you lose. I still love her though and I feel she's cool w/me.
udratherbme
SU Spr '99
I learned never do financial business w/ someone close like that... i did not know my realitor b4 i started w/ her... but it took us a long time to get to the point of what i needed, then she kinda got in close to the wife, and erthang i tried to do, she was like don't do that, don't do this, ie i wanted a jaczzi, but since she 7 foot tall she was like you ain't gone us it, b/c she can't fit in the tub.... so w/ that said, in 3 mo years imma start looking to upgrade and imma go find me a new one, b/c erday im in the yard, washing the car, cutting the grass, whateva she gotta pass by and put in her .02
Dr H..
Active Member
Our Minister said No!
We had several sisters selling various beauty and health products, children selling candy and fruit. The minister allowed it for a year or so, but it got to the point that everyone wanted to set up shop after service. There were some sisters upset, because some sister would purchase products from one and not the other and the same for children. There was one sister that wanted the address and telephone number for other sisters, so she could invite them to a Mary Kay party and one wanted the information to have a Tupper Ware party. It got to the point that is was creating clicks and attitude problems.
One Sunday after morning service, we had a meeting and the Minister said ? As of today, there will be no more selling of products in the building and there will be no exception to the rule? He went further to explain why and folks got mad at him for trying to maintain the unity of the body. The sad part is some became upset and decided to start worshipping at another congregation.
Business relationships with fellow Church members can be good or bad, depending on the maturity of the individuals.
We had several sisters selling various beauty and health products, children selling candy and fruit. The minister allowed it for a year or so, but it got to the point that everyone wanted to set up shop after service. There were some sisters upset, because some sister would purchase products from one and not the other and the same for children. There was one sister that wanted the address and telephone number for other sisters, so she could invite them to a Mary Kay party and one wanted the information to have a Tupper Ware party. It got to the point that is was creating clicks and attitude problems.
One Sunday after morning service, we had a meeting and the Minister said ? As of today, there will be no more selling of products in the building and there will be no exception to the rule? He went further to explain why and folks got mad at him for trying to maintain the unity of the body. The sad part is some became upset and decided to start worshipping at another congregation.
Business relationships with fellow Church members can be good or bad, depending on the maturity of the individuals.
docmump
The Arch Nemesis
Dr H.. said:
H, We have the same policy at our church. We can not sell candy or those frozen cookie Dough or etc.... But I do not believe that's the original question. I believe what she is asking is "If a person had a business outside of the church and you know of this business, is it alright for you to do business with her?" Not "I am selling cool cups after worship service, meet me in the parking lot"
Dr H..
Active Member
Mary Kay, was a "full time" business and she wanted to use the church to increase her business. I just tossed the others in, to show how doing business with church folks can cause division in the church.
I have noticed, that some members attempt to make you feel guilty, if you do not do business with them.
Personally, I make every attempt to stay away from church member as it relates to my personal business.
I have noticed, that some members attempt to make you feel guilty, if you do not do business with them.
Personally, I make every attempt to stay away from church member as it relates to my personal business.
MsJag4Jag
Moderator
At our church, we put out a yearly business guide. Everybody who has a business and wants to advertise it, puts it in that book. From lawyers, doctors to Travel Agents...its in there.
Our church is too large for me to care if anyone knows my financial status or not. Chances are, the folks who would find out, wouldn't care because they don't know me! :lol:
I like it like that.
Our church is too large for me to care if anyone knows my financial status or not. Chances are, the folks who would find out, wouldn't care because they don't know me! :lol:
I like it like that.
I see no problem with it. I'd rather do business with church members/Christians than someone I don't know.
That's one of "our" problems. We don't want to do business with each other. I went to an automotive shop (Ash Automotive for the Houston-Clear Lake people) and it is owned by some East Indians who say they do not do business with anyone that is not referred to them AND no one who does not do business with them. That's how they keep their money circulating.
Of course sometimes you will have bad deals with these acquaintences, but that's just business in general anyway. I'd rather take a chance with someone I know than with someone I don't know.
That's one of "our" problems. We don't want to do business with each other. I went to an automotive shop (Ash Automotive for the Houston-Clear Lake people) and it is owned by some East Indians who say they do not do business with anyone that is not referred to them AND no one who does not do business with them. That's how they keep their money circulating.
Of course sometimes you will have bad deals with these acquaintences, but that's just business in general anyway. I'd rather take a chance with someone I know than with someone I don't know.
CEE DOG
Well-Known Member
I agree. We trust everyone except our own. Until we understand economics we will always be behind. The black church is how we made it during Jim Crow days. The members of our church were the businessmen, doctors, and lawyers. I think we are so busy trying to separate ourselves from each other that we falling further behind each year. If you can't trust people at your church why do you pray and worship with them on Sundays. Isn't that being a hypocrite? I would be scared to stand beside someone in church before god and pray with them, but scared to let them work on my car. To me, that?s playing with god. Money really is the root of all evil.
jag4life said:
Warndalyn
Postmaster General!!!
Those two posts up there are on point...CEE DOG and jag4life...AMEN!!!! :bowdown:CEE DOG said:
Of course, I'd do business w/a church member...why wouldn't I? They're businessmen and women just like anyone else I'd do business with. Besides, my church is soooo big, 'til I'd probably never see them there anyway.
Dr H..
Active Member
I am just cautious, because I have seen to many church members get ?burned? by so-called Christians. There are two situations that will always stick with me.
A member of a congregation prepared taxes on the side, she had prepared members taxes. Instead of her keeping the information confidential, she told several members about his income, including his former wife.
There was another case, where a mechanic repairing a member?s car. As he was repairing the car, he continued to find things that need to be replaced. After spending hundreds of dollars, come to find out that some of the parts she was buying were parts that he needed to repair his own vehicle.
A member of a congregation prepared taxes on the side, she had prepared members taxes. Instead of her keeping the information confidential, she told several members about his income, including his former wife.
There was another case, where a mechanic repairing a member?s car. As he was repairing the car, he continued to find things that need to be replaced. After spending hundreds of dollars, come to find out that some of the parts she was buying were parts that he needed to repair his own vehicle.
LMBH
Member
Dr H.. said:
Situation #1 is a case of an unethical individual, and she would have done the same thing if she was an athiest. For every one person who behaves in that manner, there must be at least a hundred that don't, inside and outside the church.
Situation #2 also is an ethical issue as well as criminal, since theft was involved.
My church has a directory of members that we may choose to do business with and we are encouraged to consider them. A number of years ago there was a member who was mechanic and word got out that he was charging for repairs that weren't needed. Our pastor, who is from Fifth Ward, met with the business man and voiced his concern about the situation, and told him that expected ethical business practices from him and did not want to hear of any more reports that members were being ripped off. Needless to say, the mechanic continued to use his church membership and attendance to woo and deceive the unsuspecting. So, to put an end to the deception, his practices were exposed in our weekly newsletter, name and all. I know that goes against the code of silence that many people adhere to, but it served its purpose and the congregation was no longer blindly duped by this fradulent businessman.
CriTAUcal
Do Good; Good Follows
I think it's great to patronize your church members! I'm ALL for that! :tup:
However, I was talking about doing business with them, such has starting up a business together OR having them/she/he handle some business for you, such as legal work, your taxes or buying a house.
I don't see anything wrong with church members having that business relationship or having a business venture, I just don't think I could do it.
However, I was talking about doing business with them, such has starting up a business together OR having them/she/he handle some business for you, such as legal work, your taxes or buying a house.
I don't see anything wrong with church members having that business relationship or having a business venture, I just don't think I could do it.
dacontinent
Preacher
I'm the pastor. I get involved with business relationships with members all the time...and encourage it. It was prevalent in the early church and necessary for its people to survive.
If the members in the church cannot demonstrate integrity, alacrity, and perspicacity (don't get to use that word too often), then we certainly don't have a good witness.
Rom 12:10-13
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
KJV
If the members in the church cannot demonstrate integrity, alacrity, and perspicacity (don't get to use that word too often), then we certainly don't have a good witness.
Rom 12:10-13
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
KJV
