Drinking Your Pastor’s Kool-Aid

That’s just his salary from that charity, not including money he gets directly from the church.  Of course the church does not just feed and clothe Eddie Long, it also has a private school, a transitional housing program, a fitness center and some other charitable programs, but if I were part of New Birth’s 25,000-member congregation, I might have some questions about exactly where my tithes were going.

Folks seem to like to see their pastor looking good in a nice suit, clean gators (for the Detroit playas) and a freshly waxed car and I can dig that. You want to follow a person who seems successful and presents himself well.  However, at what point, if any, do you draw a line?

I’m not religious myself, but I have a great deal of respect for people who use their faith to try to make other people’s lives better. I like the people who offer an open hand as opposed to a wagging finger.  That said, when I have had occasion to be in certain (not all or even most) churches, I wanted to take a shower immediately afterwards. Some of these suited and booted pastors sound like they are just running spiritual game, which is sickening.  It’s like “Pay me to say something slick and I’ll take that money and buy a new plane/suit/Caddy for you to envy.”

For those of you who are the church-going kind, how much does a pastor’s lifestyle influence your decision to join a church? If you were a member of New Birth right now, would you stick it out or find a new church home?