Church Abuse

Ministerial Entitlements - Don't Let Your Preacher or Church Abuse Your Stewardship
By Dennis Diehl

I knew the moment I saw him come through the door of the hospital he was a minister. He had the right hair, the right suit and the right Bible pinched between his forefinger and thumb, hanging like a six shooter at his side. I could also sense he was gunning for me sitting at the front desk and he had something he needed, because he was "a minister."

"I'm Pastor so and so from the such and such betchayatobelieve it Baptist Church here in you know where South Klina. Why don't you have ministerial parking up near the door here?"

Ah those entitlements! Not only are ministers and Priests the only human beings who call or come to the desk and give out their full names, titles, credentials, place of worship and suburb, just sooz you don't think it is the other guy in town, but they want special parking near the door. It is only after all has been done to recognize this man and his parking needs, that he even begins to ask for where he just might find Mr. or Mrs. so and so, who of course are members of his congregation and need a visit. Most ministers can make that up the elevator and out again in about five minutes from what I have seen.

But first we have to address the parking problem.

"I'm sorry sir," I say to him not knowing that he has already punched my first button and I am doing all I can not to launch into the standard Steve Martin, "weeeeelllllll, exxxxxcuuuuuuuuuuse meeeeeeee!" I resist and simply say, I agree but that we just don't have the extra space and we try to save those relatively few spaces for those that can't walk or breathe. Surely this will stop the conversation and I can look up the sick member and he can be on his way upstairs to visit. But oh no...It will not be that easy.

"I"m a very busy man and I think it is only right that I have a space close to the hospital to park." he reiterates.