How much do churches spend on construction of their buildings and grounds?

[Delta4Embassy]

And why then is that expense more important than feeding, clothing, housing, and teaching the poor of the world?

Jesus taught on a hill under a tree to large masses of people. But a megachurch needs a megabuilding while simultaneously claiming to give a crap about the poor?

 

[Delta4Embassy]

"Dallas Megachurch Moves Forward on $130M Campus"
Dallas Megachurch Moves Forward on 130M Campus

"First Baptist Church of Gardendale has built a $19.7 million, 2,700-seat sanctuary about 15 miles north of Birmingham.
First Baptist Church of Trussville is in the midst of a $7.5 million expansion that will include a new, larger home for its preschool, expected to be ready in January.
A new $4 million, 1,000-seat youth sanctuary is under construction and expected to open this fall at the Church of the Highlands, and Dawson Memorial Baptist Church in Homewood is getting ready to break ground on a $9 million children's building."
Bible Belt Megachurches On A Building Boom

"Leawood megachurch plans $90M project"
Church of the Resurrection unveils 90M project - Kansas City Business Journal

"Pay

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage for a member of the clergy is $45,440 annually. However, megachurch pastors can expect to make significantly more. A survey conducted by the Leadership Network, an organization created for the advancement of the Christian church, megachurch pastors earned an average of $147,000 annually, with some pastors earning as much as $400,000."
The Average Income of a Pastor of a Mega Church Chron.com


Didn't Jesus say something about rich men and camels and the eye of a needle?

 

[Correll]

Don't underestimate the value of a nice church to it's congregation.

Jesus might have been able to support a church with just his Word. Comparing regular pastors to the Son of God, is just a little unfair...

 

[peach174]

And why then is that expense more important than feeding, clothing, housing, and teaching the poor of the world?

Jesus taught on a hill under a tree to large masses of people. But a megachurch needs a megabuilding while simultaneously claiming to give a crap about the poor?

Not all of them.
Report Megachurches Getting Bigger Despite Bad Economy
For 2010, 34 percent chose "church-wide financial emphasis designed to help the poor or needy" as their top priority. Thirty-one percent said a capital funds drive for new property or building was a priority.
Looking towards 2011, the majority of surveyed church leaders say any increase in spending would most likely go toward missions giving, followed by information technology and facilities. Nineteen percent anticipate moderate or significant increases in facilities spending next year.

 

[Sonny Clark]

And why then is that expense more important than feeding, clothing, housing, and teaching the poor of the world?

Jesus taught on a hill under a tree to large masses of people. But a megachurch needs a megabuilding while simultaneously claiming to give a crap about the poor?

I have wondered the same thing many times. It could be because they want church members to feel obligated to keep giving money to the church, which means to its leader(s).

 

[Meriweather]

And why then is that expense more important than feeding, clothing, housing, and teaching the poor of the world?

Jesus taught on a hill under a tree to large masses of people. But a megachurch needs a megabuilding while simultaneously claiming to give a crap about the poor?

One evening a woman brought costly oil and anointed Jesus' feet with it. It was worth three hundred days wages. One of the Apostles grumbled that the oil should have been sold and the money given to the poor. Jesus responded, Let her alone. The poor you always have with you, and you can help them whenever you want.

The Catholic Church has missions to the poor; it has Catholic Charities to help the poor; it takes up collections for the poor. And yes, the Church also builds in their own community to honor Jesus in their midst, just as the woman with the oil honored him.

If a Church ever forgets Jesus, it deserves to be chastised. But those who criticize a Church honoring Jesus in their own community and a church that also reaches out to the poor--those critics of these churches should listen to Jesus: "Leave them alone. You have the poor with you and you can take care of them whenever you wish."

 

[TheOldSchool]

 

[Porker]

Lincoln Square Synagogue opens its doors - NY Daily News

You mean like this synagogue? In Brooklyn N.Y. I guess there are no hungry, clothesless, homeless, dumb-ass people in Brooklyn. Or maybe it's just for Jews.

 

[Meriweather]

Didn't Jesus say something about rich men and camels and the eye of a needle?

He immediately followed that statement with this one: But anything is possible with God.

 

[peach174]

"Dallas Megachurch Moves Forward on $130M Campus"
Dallas Megachurch Moves Forward on 130M Campus

"First Baptist Church of Gardendale has built a $19.7 million, 2,700-seat sanctuary about 15 miles north of Birmingham.
First Baptist Church of Trussville is in the midst of a $7.5 million expansion that will include a new, larger home for its preschool, expected to be ready in January.
A new $4 million, 1,000-seat youth sanctuary is under construction and expected to open this fall at the Church of the Highlands, and Dawson Memorial Baptist Church in Homewood is getting ready to break ground on a $9 million children's building."
Bible Belt Megachurches On A Building Boom

"Leawood megachurch plans $90M project"
Church of the Resurrection unveils 90M project - Kansas City Business Journal

"Pay

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage for a member of the clergy is $45,440 annually. However, megachurch pastors can expect to make significantly more. A survey conducted by the Leadership Network, an organization created for the advancement of the Christian church, megachurch pastors earned an average of $147,000 annually, with some pastors earning as much as $400,000."
The Average Income of a Pastor of a Mega Church Chron.com


Didn't Jesus say something about rich men and camels and the eye of a needle?

That had to do with the rich putting material things above God, not about them being rich.

 

[Porker]

Or maybe this mosque in Maryland....$100 million.

Muslims Begin Construction On 100 Million American Mosque Now The End Begins

 

[TheOldSchool]

Organized religion is the most brilliant scam that's ever been thought up. "Give us money and it will appease a supernatural entity. Don't give us money... and risk the flames of hell for all eternity!!!"

 

[Porker]

Can you imagine ALL these preachers/priests/rabbis/whatever they call an islam holy man (headhunter?) running around in the streets of American trying to preach the good word of whichever GOD/allah they support. Can you imagine the fights/riots that would ensue.

Besides that, it is a well know fact that the churches of America are THE MOST CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY, unless of course the MAIN STREAM MEDIA has now told us differently which has no doubt happened.

 

[Porker]

Organized religion is the most brilliant scam that's ever been thought up. "Give us money and it will appease a supernatural entity. Don't give us money... and risk the flames of hell for all eternity!!!"

How about disorganized or unorganized religion?

 

[jasonnfree]

And why then is that expense more important than feeding, clothing, housing, and teaching the poor of the world?

Jesus taught on a hill under a tree to large masses of people. But a megachurch needs a megabuilding while simultaneously claiming to give a crap about the poor?

They get tax breaks in exchange for not trying to influence politics, which they do anyway. Praise the lord and hallelujah!!

 

[Uncensored2008]

And why then is that expense more important than feeding, clothing, housing, and teaching the poor of the world?

Jesus taught on a hill under a tree to large masses of people. But a megachurch needs a megabuilding while simultaneously claiming to give a crap about the poor?

What business is it of yours?

 

[TheOldSchool]

Organized religion is the most brilliant scam that's ever been thought up. "Give us money and it will appease a supernatural entity. Don't give us money... and risk the flames of hell for all eternity!!!"

How about disorganized or unorganized religion?

 

[Avatar4321]

Christ rebuked one of His apostles when He was asked a similar question about oil with which a woman anointed him.

the apostle was Judas Iscariot. And he wasn't asking because he was concerned with the poor.

the op asked it in the same spirit.

if you care about the poor tithe and fast.

 

[Delta4Embassy]

Christ rebuked one of His apostles when He was asked a similar question about oil with which a woman anointed him.

the apostle was Judas Iscariot. And he wasn't asking because he was concerned with the poor.

the op asked it in the same spirit.

if you care about the poor tithe and fast.

6 "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? 8 Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
- Isaiah 58

Probably my favourite verse. Well, one of them.

What I think of when baking cookies twice a week and muffins once a week and sharing my bounty freely with my neighbors.

 

[Blackrook]

Delta, how many hours per day do you spend starting threads on this forum?

Leave this forum, and take that time and spend it helping the poor and hungry in your community.

I suggest volunteering at Catholic Charities because they help the poor in a very direct way. Give them a call and ask for the nearest location to you:

Catholic Charities Contact Us Catholic Charities USA