COLLEYVILLE, Texas (ABP) -- Frank Harber, pastor of First Baptist Church of Colleyville, Texas, resigned Aug. 18 amid allegations he benefited from an improper real estate deal. But his is only the latest case illustrating the fine line between ethical and non-ethical benefits that pastors receive from often well-meaning parishioners.
Historically, many pastors have received, in good conscience, payments of food, housing, furniture and services. Most people agree these in-kind donations -- even small luxuries like rounds of golf and free suits -- help support the pastor and his ministry.
But probably many pastors have faced the temptation of using a church credit card for a personal purchase. Allegedly that happened too many times at Macedonia Baptist Church in Dawnville, Ga., when Steven Flockhart was pastor....