Media Ministry Questions and Discussion

I am asking for the discussion/opinions and advice of my fellow bloggers/Pastors/preachers/deacons and lay people concerning this topic. What is the proper way to administrate and allocate the media ministry at the local church?

Does the money from CDS/DVDS etc go to the church treasury? The Pastor? Are sermons the intellectual property of the Pastor and can be copyrighted as such? If a Preacher/Pastor runs revival in "said" town and takes CDS/DVDS of himself from his local church to sell, should that money be given to the church treasury? Should the proceeds of said items be part of the Pastor's compensation package?

I ask these questions because I am new sitting in this chair and would like to glean from the wisdom of fellow pastors and lay people. The media ministry is launching its maiden voyage at Macedonia and I would like for it to stay afloat so, please comment. This article I received from Pastor Cory Gathwright sparked my interest:

This is by no means an indictment against a fellow Preacher/Pastor as my prayers are with and for him and his ministry but a conscious realization on my part that what happens in one area can happen in this area.

BY ELGIN JONES
FORT LAUDERDALE _ Some members of New Mount Olive Baptist Church have filed a lawsuit that accuses the senior pastor and his wife of accepting funds from the church’s video and tape ministry without authorization.
Kenneth Mullens and Pat Davis, on their own behalf and that of “concerned members’’ of the church, filed the lawsuit on Dec. 12, claiming that the Rev. Mack King Carter and his wife, Patricia, “converted’’ nearly $18,000 to their own use without the church’s consent.

The video and tape ministry records church services and choir performances, and sells the recordings.

Willie Jones, the attorney representing the plaintiffs, said the latest turn in the case surfaced during testimony given by Selina Thomas, director of the church’s video and tape ministry, during a recent deposition.

“When taking Selina Thomas’ deposition, she said – under oath – that she has been turning over the proceeds from the sale of church videos and audio tapes directly to Carter and his wife since at least 2002,” Jones said.

“I almost fell out of my chair because this is money that does not belong to them.”

The lawsuit states, “Rev. Carter has converted various sums of money from the church, specifically the Tape/Video Ministry, in excess of $17,800 in checks between 2002 and 2005 to his own use without approval from the church governing bodies, and without the knowledge of the governing bodies.’’

The complaint also accuses Carter’s wife of converting “an unknown amount in cash and/or checks,” for her personal use without authorization.

Repeated calls to the church seeking comment from Carter were not returned, and messages left on his secretary’s voice mail went unanswered.

The lawsuit stems from an August 2006 court petition filed by former members of the church’s various oversight boards. The petition seeks access to and accountings of church financial records.

The case pitted the plaintiffs against Carter and his supporters, who represent a majority of the church members.

Carter and his supporters have accused the plaintiffs of being jealous and vindictive in their efforts to oust the senior pastor.
Carter has also delivered sermons that made reference to members aiming to disrupt the church through gossip, allegations and rumor.

On June 28, 2006, Carter oversaw a process in which church members voted overwhelmingly to disband the oversight boards and change the church constitution.

The new governing structure gave Carter much more authority over the church’s day-to-day operations, financial matters and general management.

Since that vote, church financial challenges have been revealed, including the fact that the church’s expenses outpace its income. Carter has asked members to increase their offerings by an additional 25 percent.

The latest complaint calls for the money that Carter allegedly “converted’’ from the tape and video ministry to be restored to the church. It also seeks to return the church’s management structure to the status it had for more than 80 years before Carter assumed more power.

The complaint also seeks to open the church’s financial records to the petitioners.
“We need openness because he should not be taking money intended for church missions,’’ Jones said.

“The people I represent had hoped this would have been resolved quietly, but now everyone will be able to see some of the reasons the previous boards had been concerned. As more of the truth comes out, they will all be vindicated.’’

One of the people Jones represents is Nathaniel Green, a longtime member who has served on various church boards since 1998, including several years as chairman of the trustees.

He also served on the church’s finance committee and the church council.
“This is just the beginning of the vindication process, because I think the members have had enough,” said Green, who is also an attorney.

“We want them to pay back any money they were not entitled to.’’
Eugene Pettis, another lawyer representing the church in this matter, could not be reached for comment.

Jones said, “I just find this to be reprehensible and I hope we will be able to get a better indication of exactly how much the pastor and his wife have received improperly. It literally could amount to thousands of dollars more than what’s presently contained in the lawsuit.”