Yeah, you're not thinking about income. Anybody who pays you already had their income taxed. You have to do the same for your income. When churches are small it's fine, but megachurches are getting away with a lot. They're basically whole communities themselves making millions tax-free.
They don’t make income. Their members give offerings to the church.
Megachurches have changed things. They operate like a business, and raise funds in more ways than just offerings. They can invest in real estate and rent out massive properties. They can also sell tickets to concerts at their venue, which can have large theater seating. We're talking about millions.
Pastors and staff have to make a living. Being a pastor doesn’t mean you don’t have a family to support. The building no matter the size of the church has to be maintained and utilities paid. Other then those things one would have to see the books at a church to know if those are true.
So we agree: Tax ungodly wealth.
No we don’t agree. But you do you!🙄
And you too too.
Those assets are what really need to be looked at. They could be anything. Once a church is operating like a business with substantial revenue, I think it makes sense for its tax status to change.
If you do apply that to black churches your side will lose votes. But go for it.
Hahaha.
What's 'my side'? I'm black. I've attended churches that have gone from a very small local church, to one so big it couldn't house its whole congregation. I just believe in making sure the tax system is being fairly applied to businesses, and megachurches run like a business.
Make sure you apply that to black churches. They are far more openly politically active.
Hahaha.
So?
If you can’t talk to everyone in your local body of Christ (ie church) every month, your church is too large. God’s power is manifested in our weakness.
That’s where jr pastors and associate pastors come in. Even at a church with 200 people the preacher can’t talk personally to everyone unless there is a specific need.
I’m talking about every single parishioner having personal relationships with all the others. Pastors are a piece of the body of Christ. He being the foundation.
Well that’s your opinion. But n some communities a church is large because it’s the only church in the area.
Yeah gospel concerts. We have to treat all churches equally. A church Being fiscally responsible isn’t wrong
The type of concert doesn't even matter. It's about how a church is operating, and the revenue being generated. Massive multi-million dollar megachurches should be responsible. I think that includes having their tax status re-evaluated if they've evolved into a full-on business.
What classifies it as a business to you?
It's simple to me. A business earns revenue, and can also generate income from other sources. Megachurches are crossing the line from a church to a business. Income from real estate investments is not offerings, for example. Crossing that line should mean looking at a new tax status.
Churches pay performers to appear by having offerings and or selling tickets and then paying the performers to appear. Money is also used from that to clean the church and provide food and refreshments. Those things do cost money.
I don't get your point. Yes, putting on a concert costs money, and they're making lots of it. Operating a performance venue is a business though - that goes beyond the function of a church. That's why megachurches making millions should have their tax status re-evaluated. They're now a business.