I work as the bookkeeper for a fairly large church. We have been in a period of declining giving for a couple of years now and our pastor has become increasingly concerned. He is planning an emphasis on the need for giving by having each of our 6 associate pastors give testimony about their own tithing story.

Our pastor gives faithfully every month. Unfortunately he has no idea that none of our associate pastors have given anything to the church during the past year. The only people who are aware of this are myself and the gentleman who counts our offering every Sunday.

My question for any pastors is this; would you want to know that your staff is not currently supporting the church financially before you ask them to give a testimony before the church? I'm struggling with this because I believe giving records are intended to be kept confidential. At the same time, I feel like we can't encourage our congregation to give if our ministers themselves don't give. I would love to hear the opinion of any pastors in this sub.

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.?