The lost story...

This is based on a true story told to me by a pastor friend.

It seems that a college student who works part time with my pastor friend's youth group approached her about buying some new sound equipment for the youth group's praise band.

Apart from her belief that the praise band is already over equipped, pastor friend had some financial concerns. When she explained this to the young man, he argued that the money was 'in the budget'.

She explained that a budget is just a guide, not written in stone and besides contributions had been down so the budget may change.

The young man thought for a moment and said, "Well, when do we get the check."

What do you mean???

"When does the government check come in?"

What in the world are you talking about?

"You know the check that the government sends us each month to run the church - when's the next one?"

Stifling a laugh, my friend explained to the young man that, in the U.S., the government does not finance churches.

(Something in the Constitution about that, isn't there?)

The young man was bewildered by this and seem incredulous, "You mean the government doesn't pay us to run the church???"

Um, NO!

(still incredulous) "IF that's true, then how do we pay the pastors' salaries and all the bills and stuff?"

You know that golden plate with the felt in the bottom that we pass around every Sunday morning...??????

"WOW!"