Written by Johnny Israel
Two churches that I am personally acquainted with are currently in a building fund raising project. One church has taken on a huge debt, (Polyester Faith), and the other church has chosen to be debt free (Virgin Wool Faith) by raising the full capital for their building project. We’ll start with the polyester faith first.
Polyester Faith
First, let’s describe the term polyester faith. Polyester is a cheap synthetic oil product that is mainly used in clothing and plastics. The 1970s was the notorious years of discounted polyester suits, pants, and shirts. Stores such as Wal-Mart, Kmart, J.C. Penney, and most cheap discount stores sell polyester garments. The poor and indigents are synonymous when it comes to cheap, shoddy polyester clothing.
This polyester church (RCC) consists mostly of poor indigents that do not have a pot to cook in and a plate to eat off. Approximately 100 people attend this church on a weekly basis. Out of their 100 parishioners, 70% are indigent street urchins. Out of the other 30%, less than 20% of those support the church financially. This particular church meets every Sunday in a local movie theater at an enormous weekly cost to the church. Three years ago, the church sold its original church building for approximately $250,000, in which all the money has been spent foolishly on renting the above-mentioned movie theater, and other non-essentials to the church’s financial good. The money now spent, the church is broke and barely able to pay rent, and unable to meet its financial obligations.
Last November, RCC agreed to purchase an old three story building at a cost of 1.5 million dollars, which sits in the middle of an old abandoned car lot. The building itself is planned to house a small restaurant and meeting place for their youth. The problem is the church is broke, with very little income to barely meet their current needs. According to their agreement with the lender, RCC must first raise $300,000 dollars within 90 days. Since November of last year, the church has barely raised $5,000 dollars, yet they foolishly believe that they are in the Lord’s will.
Is it God’s will to obligate so few people with such an enormous debt without any financial resources? Most financial consultants would advise RCC leadership that they are sailing into turbulent waters. It is never the Lord’s will to strap his people with heavy financial burdens, especially in these trouble times. Would this pastor tell a financially strapped parishioner to go out and buy a new Cadillac, and the Lord will meet the obligations? That would be ridiculous, if not insane. Then why would this pastor take on a huge financial burden without first having the resources to meet the obligations? This is nothing but cheap polyester faith, deceiving them into believing they’re in God’s perfect will. This church is headed for disaster. Most likely RCC will not be around by the end of 2008.
Virgin Wool Faith
Virgin wool is 100% pure wool. It is the finest of all garments. This is where CEVF enters in.
CEVF’s pastor is a meticulous man for details. This man of God was once an administrator of a Christian school, whereas part of his job was overseeing the school’s budget. CEVF owns a church building that houses 600 people. They have out grown their old church, and now are in a building fund raising project. To date CEVF has raised nearly $900,000 dollars. Their goal is to sell their old church, which is estimated to be around 2.5 million dollars, plus to raise another 2 million for their new church. The church currently meets at a local high school for their Sunday services, while maintaining the old church for offices. The rest of the church is rented out to a day school; this money is going toward their weekly church operations.
This pastor refuses to burden the church with huge debts and enormous financial obligations. He has rather decided to go debt free, therefore relieving the church body from an unnecessary inconvenience. He has recognized the importance of being debt free, and the liberation of financial bondage placed on the church. This pastor is a wise man, who is building a solid foundation of financial freedom. While RCC continues to needlessly struggle financially, CEVF continues to prosper under the direction of an astute church leader.
Both pastors are good, decent servants of Christ. Both men are hard working, honest, and faithful, with a vision for Christ. However, the first one is on a destination of financial failure; the other one has chosen the path to financial success and freedom. Surely this is virgin wool faith. CEVF will be around for many years to come.
