Your poll kind of dependes.

Given the ability to establish associate relationships with folks like Amazon.com, the line is perhaps not as clear as it once was.

GOAT GLANDS???? Ugh!!
 

Given that I was a victim of a ponzi situation led and fostered by my former pastor i find my self surprised by my "feelings" about this natter. I believe that a ten percent commision is acceptable and fair.

However, the product that we as ministry partners choose to endorse had better be able to withstand the "fire." God has and will deal with our transgressions within His house....thus we better be on our face about what we posture and how we posture what we posture.

Meaning the product better be something of value or we as the ministry have failed. I say if it's an honest endeavor than there's a good chance the opportunity is not only endorsed by God, but probably initiated by Him.

If not....
 

I think it is time pastors get back to being a pastors and not a walking bill board for products. They really have an unfair influence over their members.

It is one thing to be helped by a product and want to tell everyone about the benefits that they have enjoyed.
 

The problem is always the same: We get away from JESUS, and then we got involved with all kinds of other things that are definetly not a furtherance of the kingdom. May GOD help us to see that.
 

It is easy for Pastor's to rationalize endorsement of an active participation in the marketing of a product; because they may believe it is there duty to help the flock overcome a weight problem or other human condition. Heck, why not profit on the side and increase their standard of living. My former church began a downhill descent after the co-pastor introduced her own weight loss business into the church as set up shop on church grounds. When the excitement wore off and the profits still rolled in, parishioners began to blur the lines of Pastoral behavior and duties and commercial ventures. People became resentful, anger simmer under the surface, weekly offerings and giving decreased and the church eventually closed. I am sure multiple factors contributed, but this one did not help. I believe Pastors can endorse a product, but like we expect from politicians and business leaders, they must stay above the fray. Purchase the products themselves, no freebies or kickbacks and maintain ethical purity at all costs. Otherwise they cease to become legitimate Pastors with credibility and change into mere venture capitalists like the world already has. To be a Pastor means to be truly called, chosen, anointed and commissioned to that role in the world. No mixing and matching here.
 

Matt, as usual, I generally agree with your conclusion. However, a bigger problem to me seems to lead folks to pay $50 for something they can buy at any Walgreens for $7.

However, I have another question. How far does your reasoning reach? What about pastors who are rebuilding inner cities, starting businesses, building homes, daycare facilities, drug abuse centers, senior citizens facilities. We generally applaud them. However, they are clearly applying their "business sense" in pastoral leadership more than their "spirituality." Should they? It appears to me that as with many things, gray areas suddenly appear when we begin trying to establish black and white conclusions. :-)

Thanks for continuing to challenge our hearts and minds!

Eddie Smith
U.S. PRAYER CENTER
www.TeachMeToPray.com
 

I used to frequent a church in a struggling Black community that was once bibblical sound and strong. Once the pastor became the head of a "ponzi type" pyramid I noticed the marked differece even in his preaching (more "fluff than substance", like he was getting too lazy to study and pray). The kicker was the time I went on a Wednesday night and there were more people packed into the multi-level marketing meeting than the bible study. Is it a shock that shortly thereafter we found out that the pastor cheated on his wife? The spiritual implications of mixing the pursuit of God with mammon are tremendous. Pastors beware.
 

For three of the Gospel writers to have included this in their inspired writing, it must be of significant importance:

Matthew 21:12-13 And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. And He *said to them, "It is written, 'MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER'; but you are making it a ROBBERS' DEN."

Mark 11:15-17 Then they *came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple and began to drive out those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves; and He would not permit anyone to carry merchandise through the temple. And He {began} to teach and say to them, "Is it not written, 'MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL THE NATIONS'? But you have made it a ROBBERS' DEN."

Luke 19:45-46 Jesus entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling, saying to them, "It is written, 'AND MY HOUSE SHALL BE A HOUSE OF PRAYER,' but you have made it a ROBBERS' DEN."
 

In response to Eddie Long;'s comments: I believe the issue still is black and white (figurarively speaking). In the same Black community (I wrote earlier) where a pastor enriched himself off a pyramid scheme at the exopense of his congregation, at another church there is a very business savvy pastor. He has created hundreds of community development projects, housing, etc., and has neither become wealthy off these projects nor cost his congregants to benefit. Either way the individual pastor (I am one now, too) must NEVER: 1- profit and personally increase wealth or status off the backs of his /her flock or 2- underestimate the power of money to corrupt. See Ezekiel 34 about shepherds who get fat off the meat of their own sheep rather than protecting them.
 

At first I thought this was more of a gray issue, but then I started thinking the "long-term" affects on the church's perception and community reputation--something that a lot of church leaders fail to do. We are in complete control of our reputation, but some guys just can't seem to figure that out. They perpetually do stuff that the world perceives as unbecoming of a Christian. Then, when nobody takes them seriously they act like they're being persecuted. There's a reason that Billy Graham, Jack Hayford and Rick Warren and many like them don't get much criticism from the world--and it's not because they "compromise." Wouldn't you rather be criticized for taking a stand on homosexuality, racism, materialism or abortion than be criticized for hawking diet supplements at a 500% markup? It's a no-brainer.
 

There's a reason that Billy Graham, Jack Hayford and Rick Warren and many like them don't get much criticism from the world--and it's not because they "compromise."

Rick Warren don't "compromise" the Gospel- have you caught his act on Larry King Live? Every opportunity given to Mr. Warren on CNN to publicly proclaim the true gospel has been squandered. Rick Warren and "Purpose Driven" has been one of the biggest marketing gimmicks the church has seen in a long time.
 

As a minister and pastor, I have received many "opportunities" to enhance the financial well-being of a ministry or local congregation. Most of these would bring financial benefits to me by using my influence in marketing products and services. I view this as conflict of interest. I have worked in the corporate community for 39 years where I must sign a commitment, annually, to a set of corporate ethics that include warnings and penalties against conflict of interest. However, during this same period, I have served in ministry, about 37 years in pastoral ministry, in three denominations. I have never been required once to sign any document regarding conflicts of interest.

I have friends in ministry who have lost members and respect because of schemes in which they become involved innocently. We are warned in Scriture to be "...wise as serpents and harmless as doves."
 

When I was in Bible College we were instructed to NEVER support, promote or sell ANY product to our congregation. The point made was that we were using our position, the respect of the people, and our authority for personal gain. People who respect their pastor will buy what they might not need or be able to afford in order to please the pastor. They tend to believe what he/she says. This is a dangerous position to be in and I believe it hurts the individuals as well as the Body of Christ. To own a business, is totally a different thing - the people have the opportunity to come to the business or not - but, as members of the congregation they are, in effect, a "captive" audience. We cannot serve both God and mammon [riches].
 

Wow! I enjoyed everyone's comments on "greasy" Pastors. I could simply say "dido" But I want to offer a few Biblical answers. 1. True Pastor's are called to follow the steps of Christ (I Pe. 2:21) 2. True Pastor's do not seek personal gain or acting as a Lord (I Pe. 5:1-3). Jesus NEVER sought wealth or personal gain unlike the Pharisees who thrived on such. And 4). Jesus was tempted in ALL points (Heb. 4:15). So, certainly the opportunity presented itself even in Jesus' day to seek welth and personal gain - but He chose to forsake it all for the salvation of our souls. Ladies and Gentelemen - THAT! is the Gospel Message - to be like Jesus more and more. Thank you. Pastor Tim -His Bond-Servant.
 

I think commercial product endorsement (especially with personal gain) shows a serious lack of wisdom and judgement. There is a risk of creating an impression of manipulating the pastor's flock to benefit the pastor. I don't think Jesus would ever have done that or even have risked it.
 

...and it doesn't look too good to the unsaved who often base their opinions of Christians on what they see on TV (as in televangelists asking for "seed" as they build immense personal wealth).
 

Obviously, you can't spank a grown man. I'LL GET TO THE POINT: if in any church, the congregation (or any one of them), would get up and say "enough is enough" and proceed to use a whip in the name of Jesus, things would CHANGE.
 

A sheeps nature is to follow the shepherd. This is a spiritual truth. A shepherd should avoid endorsing anything other than the Gospel . I had to work a secular job at our local radio station. My one condition was that I could not personnally endorse any product on the air. I ran commercials but never endorsed a product.
 

Whatever happened to "Freely you have received, freely give"?
Some would say that it is no different than being hired for a job, but come on. I realize that most pastors do need to suppliment their income. However, pastors should be very careful not to allow any company, Christian or otherwise, liquidate what influence pastors do have to prop any product for profit's sake.
 

Depends on the product, the source, and the intent of the pastor/minister.

The "less than 2%" of ministry people who manipulate and create distrust with these methods of income are rare. We just like to magnify their "sins" in order to make a point.

Most ministers or clergy who I know personally have taken great caution in such personal ventures, and use the revenue for incredible ministry causes.

Ultimately, the end-user needs to simply use great discretion, caution, and Biblical wisdom when looking into any sort of financially compelling offer.

My 2-cents-worth.
 

Hi,

I have sold products to members in my congregation and found out they bought them not because of the product but because they trusted me. I tried it twice. ONce a telephone MLM and then a supplement MLM. I never made any money PERIOD. I WAS WRONG WITH GOOD MOTIVES. I know there is a fine line that we need to stay away from.
 

the Great Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ said "I sanctify myself for their sake" if He is truly our example, for the sake of more important issues where the weight of the Christian testimony is needed, People in Church leadership should not lend their voices to such things as it diminishes the weight of their voices, it may be assumed that their cry against anti christian behavior and issues is a result of their pecuniary interests