Ms. Cynthia Gordon-Floyd, Columnist
Having trained pastors and church leaders across the country in financial stewardship, I, unfortunately, witness many church leaders who justify withholding financial information because they are concerned that their congregation will distort and gossip about the information. These leaders believe the finances are better controlled with fewer people being aware of the detailed information. Is this a deliberate attempt to conceal poor stewardship or abuse of power? Should we hide and covet gifts that are freely given? These are questions to examine as a larger question looms. Is the current threat facing the church great enough for us to change?
A Biblical view of accountability must be at the forefront. Unfortunately, some receive accountability as a code name for red tape and bureaucracy. Others lament that accountability is an opportunity for accountants and managers to question a leader’s decisions or utilize it as a backdoor to block progress. While I do not present this as a Biblical perspective on accountability, we must reconcile that accountability and transparent oversight encompass the essence of stewardship.
The Word provides a solid foundation for how we are to conduct business matters, and the principle of accountability runs throughout the Bible. The Parable of the Talents gives us a pointed analogy of how we will be held individually accountable to the Lord for our stewardship (Matthew 25-14-30). Paul also addressed the need for accountability of his work in his second letter to the Corinthians: “We are making this arrangement lest anyone blame us about this generous gift that we are administering, for we are setting our minds on what is right not only before the Lord but also before the people.” (8:20-21). Paul’s desire for accountability led him to conduct himself in a manner that would not be easily subjected to human suspicion. Such conduct is a high bar to reach, but it is what should be required from followers of Christ. Making the right choices requires listening to the Holy Spirit, submitting ourselves to others, and seeking wise and independent counsel.
As a Church, we were bleeding internally, but now our blood is splattered in the streets via the newspapers and television. We must change. Are we willing to rise to the occasion? Will we take the drastic steps needed to repair this breach, restore trust, and conduct business in God’s way? I pray so.
Cynthia Gordon-Floyd is a certified public accountant and founder of Willing Steward Ministries, LLC. Willing Steward Ministries (www.willingsteward.com) is a financial consulting and accounting firm for churches and other faith-based non-profits, specializing in Bible-focused financial practices, pastoral compensation issues, IRS compliance, and other financial needs specific to churches. Cynthia is a graduate of Lake Forest College and holds her MBA in Accounting from DePaul University. She is a Steward and the Financial Secretary at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Manassas in Manassas, Virginia.
