I was looking around the Living Waters website to see where Ray Comfort will be in 2007 and I came across some requirements that must be in place in order for him to be able to preach. Here is the link:
http://www.livingwaters.com/m_events.shtml
Is this common practice among certain preachers?
I was just curious, not condemning.
GOD Bless
John
I dont think it's unreasonable. They arent charging extravegant admission prices. They are just asking for travel expenses. Notice meals not included. Air fare and hotel expenses.
It doesnt seem to me that they are trying to live in the lap of luxery... like a Benny Hinn or Joyce Meyer. No mention of limo's or diamond studded watches. The request for a direct flight could be for medical reasons.
I dont think we should sit in judgement on a ministry over something like this. Compared to many so-called "ministries", Ray Comfort's request is nothing.
I think it's unreasonable for us to expect them to foot the bill for everything they do. If you want them to come speak, then help pay for it.
Krispy
The travel to and from a location is standard and accommadations either with a family of the congregation or a hotel is just good courtesy. A love offering is proper too. 1000 in attendence is a rule larger ministries have but they often break this rule. You'd be surprised by some of the things that goes on in churches where they collect offerings for an evangelist and don't give the evangelist anything but maybe $100.00 or less and than expect the evangelist to pay his/her own travel expenses as well as room and meals. Many of these servants walk with a depth of faith in God providing for thier needs that most can't even begin to imagine.
Well, the Scriptures say that the saints should practice hospitality. A church that desires a minister enough to ask him to travel a great distance to speak ought to take care of their guest. Even the apostle Paul expected such. See the closing chapter of Romans and other epistles where Paul outlines his itinerary and requests for accommodations to be made on his behalf... and he wasn't even invited as a speaker!!!
Besides all this, if a church is not willing to give accommodations to a minister, then it probably won't be willing to accept what he says as a minister either.
*edit*
Having looked over Living Water's requests, I think they are being very modest. I know of a major evangelist in my denomination that will not come preach at your church for anything less than $2000 (not counting accommodations)... even if he lives a county away!
You'd be surprised by some of the things that goes on in churches where they collect offerings for an evangelist and don't give the evangelist anything but maybe $100.00 or less
I remember reading in "No Compromise: The Keith Green Story" where he went to play at a church, and they took up a love offering... and the church leaders took out a certain percentage of the offering. Keith was angered by this because the way it was presented to the congregation was the love offering was going to Keith... no mention of the church taking a cut. He actually confronted the pastor about it. Now that takes guts! I'm not sure I could do that because I'd be worried that the pastor would take it the wrong way and think that I was being greedy... which is exactly what happened to Keith. But his heart was he couldnt stand to see the people that gave being deceived.
Krispy
It is absolutely biblical "that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel." (1 Cor. 9:14) and praise God for every giver and supporter of the faithful servants of God!
On the other side this quote from R.Wurmbrand from his book "Where Christ still suffers" left on me big impression:
"When I received my first invitation to preach at a university and was asked what my honorarium would be, I answered, "It is honor enough to preach the Gospel. I can't see why an honorarium is needed. Where I come from, the honorarium for telling the story of Christ is twenty-five years in prison. If you witness for Him in jail, it is twenty-five sticks. I will speak without honorarium." The invitation was cancelled. I was considered a nut.
1Co 9:10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.
1Co 9:11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
1Co 9:12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
I think if I pastored a church full time I would want it to be on a "whatever comes in" basis. No salary, just trusting the Lord, grateful for whatever support the people give.
But, I say that not having been called to pastor a church full time... and having shrewd business sense. :-)
Krispy
I could tell you of some real hair raising stories, as I'm sure most of the evangelist/pastors on here could , but I'm not sure if the formuns are the place for it.
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