[Calvinist_Dark_Lord]

And that’s why I think church rule by a plurality of elders is important.

These men decide where the money goes every year. In our church the members then put the final stamp of approval on the budget.

You left out one important part of Presbyterian polity and government old friend...

The Teaching elders (pastors to those who are not Presbyterian or Continental Reformed)DO NOT have input into their salary/benefits/allowance package. The usual practise is that they are not even present at the time the congregation votes on those issues, and a ruling elder (Layman) moderates that part of the congregational meeting.

This has been standard Presbyterian polity for centuries.

[Gamecock]

Indeed. Thanks for including that very important bit of info!

Happy Thanksgiving!