Comment on Destiny Church

Comment from New Zealand Christian Network, visionnetwork
re current media attention on Destiny Church

From Glyn Carpenter, National Director, New Zealand Christian Network, visionnetwork.

1. Recent media attention on Destiny Church has focused mainly on money. There is a lot more to Church and the message of Jesus Christ than money, and there is more to Destiny Church than just money, so the money issue needs to be kept in balance.

2. As far as the money issue is concerned, attention has focused on gifts and tithing, eftpos machines, large incomes, and lavish lifestyles.

3. Let’s dispense quickly with the concerns expressed about eftpos machines – they are simply a convenient way for some people to give money in an increasingly cashless society. Destiny is one of many churches in a wide variety of denominations that currently use eftpos, and the practice is likely to increase. Generally, the eftpos machines are located outside the main worship area.

4. All churches depend on financial gifts, whether they are from Sunday offerings or other sources, and many teach the principle of tithing. People gather in churches and agree to pay for what they have decided to do together. Some churches teach tithing as another term for “whatever you choose to give”. Others would encourage a regular commitment to a per centage which may range from 1 per cent to 10 per cent. In addition, many churches derive some revenue from activities and assets, for example, hall rentals or parking facilities. Older established churches frequently have substantial property assets from which they derive income. In this respect Destiny is no different. The money is used for salaries of ministers and other staff who provide a wide range of services for church members and their wider communities. It also goes to fund infrastructure and gifts to people in need in local communities and around the world.

5. With regard to tithing and donations, the Bible teaches that “God loves a cheerful giver”. If anyone in a church is not giving cheerfully, they may as well not give. When it is truly God who leads people to give, there is a joy and freedom in the giving.

6. There is also a responsibility in giving. The Bible specifically warns against giving to church if it causes a person to neglect family responsibilities. Similarly, it warns against church leaders who coerce or manipulate people into doing it (see the book of Matthew, chapter 15 verses 5–7). We know of people in poorer communities who are encouraged, or more correctly coerced, into giving to their church or pastor even when this causes hardship for the family. This is not general Christian practice. If someone concludes they are being manipulated or coerced to give, it may well be time to find another church.

7. Destiny points to Scripture which talks about honouring pastors and those who lead them, which all Christians do, or should do. At the discretion of the individual, this may include gifts. But Christians also need to read Scripture as a whole. There can be distortion, even heresy, if one teaching is taken in isolation, out of context, or emphasised more than it should be. Points #5 and #6 above give some examples of the balance which Scripture teaches.

8. Large incomes of themselves say little, provided they have not been derived from any practice which is out of sync with God, (for example, #5 and #6 above, or any illegal, immoral, or unjust activity. Many people with large incomes give away large per centages of those incomes. Charity is a basic principle of Christian living. When understood and practised properly, this results in blessing for all concerned.

9. Lavish lifestyles are a problem. In New Zealand we live in a beautiful land which has been richly blessed by God, and it is good to enjoy those blessings. In comparison with people who live in poorer countries, we all live lavish lifestyles. However, Scripture teaches Christians we have been blessed in order to be a blessing to others. Christians also believe in justice. There is no justice when the rich get richer at the expense of the poor. If pastors’ salaries are seriously out of sync with the community in which they serve, most discerning people will view this as a matter of injustice which does not honour God.

10. Lastly, there is a heresy which has been around for a long time in the Church and in fact has its roots in the time before Jesus. This heresy is known as the prosperity gospel. It teaches that if you give financially to God, or your church, or your pastor, then you will necessarily receive back financially more than you gave. (There is also a health version of this heresy.) There are indeed scriptures which talk about devotion to God that results in receiving blessing from God, about sowing and reaping bigger rewards, and so on. But error occurs when Scripture is not read as a whole (see #7 above) and parts of scripture are taken out of context. Christians believe God is the ultimate reality, a sovereign being, not some clockwork toy that we can force to respond in a certain way by doing certain things. Yes, we believe God does bless and reward good acts. But a full reading of Scripture shows this is not as simple as giving $10 and getting back $30, $60, or $100 (see Matthew chapter 13 verse 8). Nevertheless, it is not difficult to see how vulnerable, needy people – and sometimes very healthy people – could be influenced by such teaching.

One of the names Jesus used for himself was the “Light of the World”. Christians are called to “walk in the light” and New Zealand Christian Network, visionnetwork, respects the role that the media play in our society in bringing issues into the light, possibly unaware of how closely this alines with Christian teaching. There is invariably more to a story, however, than what is known at any given time.

We hope the above will be of some help in bringing a better understanding of the Christian story into that same light. Christians are followers of Christ, His teachings and His example. Jesus Christ lived sacrificially on behalf of a community he loved. Anything contrary to that spirit is contrary to the calling of following Christ

ENDS

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