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I would certainly include EFY and Time Out for Women in priestcraft. I would also include those circuit speakers they hire at these events like John Bytheway and Brad Wilcox. Yeah, EFY and TOFW probably qualify – although I see real benefits from both programs with people I know. Benefits don’t change the designation, however, since the designation focuses purely on profit motive – and I think there absolutely is a profit motive with both events. To me this whole discussion is a slippery slope. John Bytheway, looking to make money explaining gospel topics in humorous and touching way.
CES employee – making a (meager) living explaining gospel topics per the manual.
Hmm. The difference is not huge in my mind. I do see John a bit more of “tell them what they want or you are out of here”, whereas CES employee is “tell them what is in the manual or you are out of here.” Wait – that sounds a bit the same?
I don’t have an issue with GA’s/MP/Q15 getting some salary and I don’t see them living really high on the hog based on the US professional standard of living (and they work hard). I do have an issue where they do nothing to stop the myth that they are not given any compensation.
The key differentiating factor is the motivation to “get gain” from being a religious leader / preacher – which means, in practical terms, to make more money than they would otherwise – and I can’t see CES employees fitting that category. Someone like Bro. Bytheway? I can’t judge him, since I don’t know his heart, but his situation at least is reasonable to discuss. GA’s? I think very few, if any, of them accept the calling to get gain. I think EFY and TOFW fit for a simple reason: at the end of the day, they are profit generators for people and/ or institutions that already are profitable – and they would be discontinued if they lost money. (Also, they are available only to people who can pay the participation fees, which, in the case of EFY, are significant. TOFW, not so much.) The motivation of the individuals invloved, I believe, is pure, so I wouldn’t say everyone who is involved fits the priestcraft model – but I would say the enterprises themselves are examples of organizational priestcraft.
I think that is an important distinction: there are priestcraft individuals and priestcraft organizational programs / groups / activities / whatever. I feel comfortable believing Pat Robertson, Joel Osteen, Jerry Falwell, etc. are guilty of priestcraft, but I can’t say the same about every person who works in their organizations. (the producers, the sound techs, the printers, etc.) I have no idea what those people are being paid or if their motivation is to “get gain”.
LookingHard wrote:I don’t have an issue with GA’s/MP/Q15 getting some salary and I don’t see them living really high on the hog based on the US professional standard of living (and they work hard). I do have an issue where they do nothing to stop the myth that they are not given any compensation.
I completely agree with this.
DarkJedi wrote:LookingHard wrote:I don’t have an issue with GA’s/MP/Q15 getting some salary and I don’t see them living really high on the hog based on the US professional standard of living (and they work hard). I do have an issue where they do nothing to stop the myth that they are not given any compensation.
I completely agree with this.
I do too. Part of me sees a double standard with MP’s and FT missionaries, but people in mid-life need income to support families and I do think they are entitled to somewhat of a lifestyle (a home, a car, a decent place to live).
But I do take massive exception with promulgating the myth that no one is paid in our church. I wish the local leaders received some pay to ease their burden and also to provide better service to the local members. I would like to see the welfare arm of the church and the ecclesiastical arms separated. Bishops spend a lot of time on welfare issues at the expense of helping the members. Bishops could retain some involvement regarding needs for local service to people in need, but the disbursement of monies, utility bill payment, food orders, etcetera, could be managed centrally or through paid means.
But there is a snowball’s chance in hell of that ever happening.
What about covey? Take gospel principles, package for business leaders, 8 habits of highly effective people, sell for millions…is that priest craft? Question#2: Is priest craft really bad? What if it brings people to improve their situations?
EFY, John Bytheway? Can’t good come from these?
What are really the evils of paid clergy?
In googling the term I’ve found that it’s very hard to get an outside perspective. 
[img]http://i.imgur.com/df0GE0L.png [/img] And since it’s back in the limelight:
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