Church leaders should not engage in running businesses - Bishop Charles
The Bishop made this pronouncement on the TV programme, Real Talk with hostess Karia J. Christopher, aired on CBN Channel 51 last evening, December 27, 2012. The interview was done as part of a series of the 10 most fascinating personalities in the BVI for 2012.
The recently appointed Caribbean Field Director of the New Testament Church of God who now oversees some 3000 ministers and approximately 750,000 members in 14 countries said, “…when you’re called to do something, you fulfil that call… I took the role of saying ‘I’m going to stick with the pastoring’.”
Bishop Charles revealed that when he first came to the Virgin Islands to lead a small congregation of one hundred persons, the salary was a ‘pittance’, however, he made a decision to ‘trust God’ even though he was initially given the option of taking up a second job.
The church leader said that he found out for himself after making the decision, that it was the greatest thing to minister to people.
He found that the church began to grow and he was able to find that he had time to ‘prepare’; “I find that if I was doing a dual job, it really doesn’t give the full satisfaction of the entire ministry operation.”
Bishop Charles continued, “What is happening, what is evolving in the 21st Century, is a role model of entrepreneurship [of business] in the church and people are equating the church and business together.”
He further noted that there is a thin line that one can become a pastor but yet have another role that they can make additional funds on. “People make those choices, but if you ask me for me, the calling of God that came upon my life, is a direct calling that I decided with my wife that we are going to trust God.”
The Field Director felt that persons think that he makes millions of dollars in the church but he disputed this. “I give back more to the church than the church gives to me.”
He noted that his children’s college tuition was being funded by a friend of his whom he referred to as his “good grandfather”. His Lexus, he added, was given to him and the house that he occupies belongs to the church.
“The pastor,” he said, “is called to develop those men and women in the church…” This was evident he claimed, when one studied the biblical mandate. “The prophet, the priest, the pastor… is called to develop the kings and the businessmen in the church, so it’s my job to teach the business principles in the church and develop business men and women in the church so the church could be supported.”
“In concept, contrary to popular opinion,” he added, “I am called to be a pastor and a leader – that’s succinctly what I’m going to do… my job in Tortola doesn’t come with perks, I’m paid a salary at the church, that’s all I get.”
When asked by the hostess to comment on whether other leaders were less effective in the church while carrying out dual roles, he was somewhat evasive but responded by saying that he was keen on following biblical context in his denomination. “The ministers of the gospel,” he quoted the scripture as saying, “gave themselves to prayer and to the word.”
He noted that the people had to be fed and jokingly added that the success of the church was not as a result of how "good looking" he appears.
The success of the church, he contended, is found in the way that you commit to people – teaching, leading and vision.
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86 Responses to “Church leaders should not engage in running businesses - Bishop Charles ”
i have known many men of God, and i use the term with distaste, and they are the most materialistic creatures on earth
the only problem with ur childish assertion is that Buffetts' an atheist
John owns a business, he doesn't run it. There is a difference. That is the type of leader he is. He knows how to delegate and surrounds himself with people he can trust. He is there for his flock whenever and wherever he is needed. The man wears many hats and does a great job of it. So back off John.
Your house is owned by the church, they used to rent it before they bought it, you don't pay any rent so the church is out of pocket paying the mortgage.
Your friend pays college fund? A rich church member pays your childrens college fund instead of the donation going to the church.
All in all your a minister who should be giving all your worldly good to the poor of the flock instead of living the good life, or do you believe God owes you that much?
See that's what sickens me. Jesus wasn't impoverished but his congregation should give their last with the hopes of being 'blessed' like him some day right? It's pure bull$h1t being sold in a shiny bottle. Flying coach is not being impoverished. Driving a Vitara instead of an Escallade is not being impoverished. Wearing a $1000k Imani Suit as opposed to a $200.00 suit isn't being impoverished. Wearing $500. gator shoes and $100 socks as opposed to a pair of Clarks for $150.00 and nice socks for $20 isn't being impoverished. That's the brainwashing bull$h1t that fool you guys all the time. Put your money in the basket and you will be blessed? HAHA!! Funny if his congregation were to pull up in those rides and wearing those clothing they would be castigated. TD Jakes and the likes are leaches to the highest degree. I won't class Charles with him but in principle they all do the same thing. If you telling me that a Pastor drives a Benz and not a Suzuki because he's 'Blessed' then I must be an idiot. I guess all of the church going Suzuki drivers are not blessed 'yet' lol.... There is no explanation for their choice of lifestyle except that they love worldly things as much as us regular folk but are putting on a show. They say as a Christian you shouldn't believe in the 'worldly' things. But funny how it's us 'worldly' people that decides that a Benz is classier than a Suzuki. So how then based on that premise, people talk about blessed? Can't fool I man!
Church leaders shouldnt get married two and three times either, but they do it. I am sure 2013 wont pass before he marry hu.... his third wife! and the first two aint dead. till death do us part only apply to you not me i guess
U need 2 shut the hell up cause it was more than 15 members u stupid azzz
YOU INSPIRE! YOU ADMONISH! YOU HAVE CLASS!
GOD BLESS YOU!
I f the church put the pastor in a house to live y u should have a problem with that, if your money is there all u have to do is stop putting your money there, and give yourself some satisfaction, thats the churches buisness and have no right to dictate how the church must treat the pastor, that man is bless, and the word of God says the blessing of God maketh rich and addeth no sorrow.
Karia, I pray your show will grow from strength to strength and Bishop, I pray that the Lord will continue to direct your every move
Question: To do what? What did you trust God to do? Was it not to make your lot in life better?
If you are honest you will admit that you enjoy the trappings of wealth as much as the next man, you enjoy living in the big house and driving the Lexus because you feel they are your due!! And you feel they should be given to you by the people you minister to because you feel for giving them spiritual guidance they in turn should look after you, sometimes at detriment to themselves, because you feel it is your due! But you will sit there and condemn others for gaining the trappings of wealth another way than merely bleeding the church (the people) dry! Thou hypocrite!!!