Father May I… 1 (of 3)

Posted by Scott Williams
25 Comments
May 20, 2008
Controversy | Leadership | Ministry

I am going to pose a series of questions for the next three days relative to Pastors and whether or not they should do ____blank____.   I welcome your thoughts, comments, responses and one word answers.

Should Pastors fly first class?

  • http://www.michaelandrewjones.com Mike Jones

    Wow … I was thinking about this yesterday. My girlfriend got bumped up to first class on a flight the other day and I thought … I wonder if Craig flies first class?

    I think if he’s using church money then definitely not, that’s probably not the best use of our resources.

    But if it’s his personal money … I don’t know. It’s still kind of wasteful and a pastor should set an example. On the other hand I wouldn’t think twice about flying first class if I could, and shouldn’t he be able to as well?

  • http://www.dustytakle.com Dusty

    My husband is a pilot owns an aircraft management and charter business. My father is a pastor who has enjoyed these perks, if you will. I have a few thoughts on this. If a pastor is flying, say, just the east coast, then paying for a first class ticket doesn’t make much sense (personally or church-funded.) On international trips, I think it makes sense, especially if he or she is traveling to minister. The comforts of first class will aid in helping him or her feel refreshed so he or she can do what God has called them to. For well-known pastors like Pastor Craig, it may sometimes be the wiser and safer to travel first class. It might be the only privacy he gets….and contrary to popular belief, he needs this. Bottom line, don’t be wasteful. However, such expenses are not a waste when the intent is pure.

  • http://www.kevinbussey.com Kevin Bussey

    If you can afford it-why not? If you get an upgrade–you bet. But I never have. But I would!

  • http://www.manymeadows.blogspot.com Robin Meadows

    Depends on who’s paying. : )

    I used to be pretty opinionated on things like this…the cool thing for me? I’ve learned to let things like this go…it really doesn’t matter to me because it’s NONE OF MY BUSINESS what a pastor chooses to do/not do!! Man, that’s freeing!

  • http://steveharrison1.blogspot.com/ steve

    I am with Robin it is not any of my business…who am I to judge right or wrong in that situation?…

  • http://cindybeall.com Cindy Beall

    I don’t think it’s any of my business. Even if they are using church funds to do it. I definitely don’t think that is the wisest use of funds, but it’s them who is accountable to God for the money given to the church, not me. My job is to be obedient in tithing and giving. God desires a cheerful giver not a “I’m only going to give if I know what you’re going to do with my money” giver.

    I’m just sayin’.

    Plus, I’m married to a pastor and I know how many blessings we’ve received from other free of charge over the last 13+ years of ministry. There have been a handful of folks who’ve judged us because of these blessings.

    If they only knew.

  • http://rollmentalcamera.blogspot.com roger

    I would never judge a pastor on if they sat in first class becasue I don’t know the reasons behind it.
    I do know that if I was a pastor I wouldn’t fly first class because I would not want to set that kind of example.
    Even if someone offered to buy it for me I would have them use the money to help someone in need.

  • http://dturn.wordpress.com david

    Sure…y not

  • http://jaycurlee.blogspot.com Jason Curlee

    On the churches expense no….for personal expense – who cares more power to them.

    I think the church could pay the coach and if the pastor wants to upgrade they pay that extra from their personal expense.

    That is only good stewardship.

  • http://tentmakin.blogspot.com Kyle P.

    Only one word?!

    Ummmmmmm…..

  • Heady

    If they can afford to do that; however, I wouldn’t use the churches funds unless necessary to do so.

  • http://solshine7.blogspot.com SolShine7

    I’ve flown first class so why shouldn’t a pastor be able to? Just as long as they are not abusing the privilege.

  • http://www.dustytakle.com Dusty

    I love Cindy’s response. We are to be obedient with the tithe. Period. Kingdom principles apply to your obedience whether the money is well spent or poorly used. Tithing isn’t conditional and neither are God’s blessings.

  • http://www.knowgreaterlove.org/wordpress1 Avery

    Sure why not…

  • http://geppapa.blogspot.com chris g

    yes, absolutely yes, especially youth pastors.

  • http://www.floatingaxhead.com Scott

    The rich folks in first class need to be saved too.

  • Scott Williams

    Well said Cindy and Dusty!
    everyone has some great perspectives!
    Chris- LOL
    Scott- LOL x 2 :-)

  • http://jameyjohnson.org jamey johnson

    Only if they serve KFC and we can watch Braveheart or Matrix up in first class…that’s the deal…otherwise the back seats baby!…sittin’ with the common folks.

  • http://patricksievert.wordpress.com Patrick Sievert

    not on the church

  • http://menonpurpose.com bert boan

    Should pastors have $200 jeans? Should pastors drive BMWs? Should pastors have houses in that rich neighborhood up north, the one with the golf club?

    Should I judge a homeless man for mis-handling the money he had? Should I judge a fat man for eating poorly?

  • Steve

    Our Pastor pay’s for his own airfair because he want’s to. Spend some time in a third world country were the Pastor pick’s coffee beans just to feed his family.

  • http://www.brianhowe.wordpress.com Brian Howe

    Depends on where he is going…local flights, the wise choice would probably be to sit in Coach. However on long international flights First Class is where it’s at…if you can afford it, go for it…if you can’t then don’t.

  • ostate17

    as a PK, i’m inclined to say that ABSOLUTELY yes.

  • http://ichilly.typepad.com Chilly

    I’ve been bumped up to First Class several times. It was great. And I shared my faith up there just like I do when I fly coach…
    == by the way, I’m flying First Class to Heaven some day too.

  • http://Grandparentingforlife.blogspot.com msdeb41

    The reputation of the man would certainly make a difference in the decision. Can he be trusted? And then, pretty much…you have the answer.

    I was thinking, ‘wouldn’t seeing a pastor (if anyone even knew him) in coach also be a testimony of how generous his church is in providing for the needs? Would some people think “hey, wow, look what God has done for ?’ “I was wondering what God could do. I do see He is a generous God and takes care of His servants. or Oh, so , being in the ministry doesn’t mean I would have to wear sackcloth and eat only the ‘pretzels they give; and of course nothing but water for me! ”
    1 Corinthians 4 helped me get on track with what God thinks and how I can evaluate anyone in leadership. Reading The “How to Find God , Living Water bible (given to me by the pastor at Lifechurch.tvOpen in Lawton Oklahoma) has proven to be one of the best teaching tools I have ever used.
    As fellow Believers we have an awesome task to do everything as unto the Lord. In Ephesians 4, we are strongly encouraged to live in unity as the Body of Christ who is the Church.
    God will give us the answers we need as His Word dwells in us richly. Each situation is unique which requires us to get to know people, examining whether or not they can be trusted with what they are entrusted with.
    We can leave someone alone and let them make their own decisions without needing to know “everything” they are doing all the time. That wouldn’t be too healthy for anyone. Chris Spradlin has a message series for people like that.
    I agree with Robin. It is freeing to entrust all things to the Lord.We KNOW he will direct the person in what is the right thing to do at the time.
    Deb

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