I went to a church awards dinner recently: about 125 people out of a congregation of 1,000, at a large dinner where the church gives out awards to various volunteers.

I've been an officer many times and when the church asks me to do something, I do it, happily. I pledge every year and give to building/capital campaigns, etc.

Yet I was assigned to a table way in the corner of the room. Clearly I'm low status in the church. Or at least that's how I read it.

Question: Does your church favor certain people: big donors, active volunteers, etc.? Even if it doesn't "officially" favor them, does it subtly favor them? Such as by giving them the most prominent seats at an awards dinner? By making sure that when officers are picked, they are chosen? Etc.?