EDITOR’S NOTE: From time to time we will publish letters and emails we get from readers, sometimes with a response, sometimes without comment. If you would like to share your thoughts about any of our stories or podcasts, please email us: info@ministrywatch.com
Hard to judge Daystar situation
I’ve kept up with most of the media blitz surrounding the Daystar situation. I don’t feel it necessary to judge myself. I’ll leave that to the Lord. Some of the sources commenting about the situation are reliable and well-intentioned. Many are just climbing on, heaping on their own negativity and speculation.
When I heard you speak against their support of Trump, what I would say is that many politicians have histories that are not exemplary. We can vote for the candidate who more closely reflects our values in politics and the political issues. Trump has improved since 2016. There’s more to be said, but enough of us voted for him that he won the election, and as president we need to try to respect that.
Jaynie Kinser, via email
Warren Smith responds:
Thanks for this feedback. It’s a blessing to have passionate readers!
Chuck Adair has lost the privilege to lead in church
This person (Chuck Adair) shouldn’t be around children or young people ever again. When you make a mistake, there is something lost: confidence in a person to do that kind of job. Give him another job. Shouldn’t be teaching in a church as his job. Go look for a job outside church. Be a Christian as you said you are, but do not teach our.
Daisy Bruderer, via email
For Adair, a second chance must include repentance
Restoration, for followers of Jesus, does not mean returning someone to a position wherein they failed morally in the first place. It means restoring someone to an abiding faith in Jesus Christ. This is what a “second chance” includes: repentance (which means going a different direction); forgiveness; and coming alongside in assisting someone in need who has made a commitment to this kind of restoration.
It is unloving to return a person to a similar role in which they failed the first time. It is loving to direct someone toward a different path and help them stay on it, and it is an act of submission and humility to accept the new direction.
Glen Goldie, via email
Ministry executive compensation should be reported
Thank you for the information you send. I listened to your podcast and agree with the publishing of compensation totals for ministry executives. I believe that a pastor should examine the bread winners of his congregation and be compensated slightly more than the average. This allows the pastor, under most circumstances, to have enough money to meet his needs without living above his people.
I need to understand the life battles of my people. The Lord has taken great care of us for over 30 years of ministry work. We are very grateful to God. I am provided a salary package of about $70,000.
Keep up the good work. God bless!
Don Whitecar, via email
Why are some ministries exempt from filing IRS forms?
Thank you so much for your excellent podcast. You mentioned in the recent podcast about the salaries of ministry executives that some organizations choose not to make their 990s public. I was thinking that any 990 can be accessed on the IRS’s website. Is that not the case?
I frequently go to the IRS’s website to look up 990s before donating to an organization, but I am often disappointed to see the organization at issue did not file one. Why and how can this be? I have read that some ministries are exempt from filing 990s, but I’ve never seen anything detailing the criteria for this.
Any light you can shed on this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for all of your great work for the Kingdom.
In Christ,
MaryAnna Turner, via email
Warren Smith responds:
A ministry can petition the IRS to be classified as a church. Churches are exempt from filing a 990. At MinistryWatch, we think that is a bad practice.
Here’s an article I wrote on this topic that might be helpful in explaining why we oppose this practice: https://ministrywatch.com/when-a-church-is-not-a-church/
Our recommendation is that donors refrain from giving to any ministry that does not file a Form 990.