What do we think about this?

vanillacourage

This is our 8th child. We knew that everyone would not be happy because this will be my 7th C-section. I am 17 1/2 weeks right now. It is still a secret too most. Neither grand-parents on both side know yet. Trying my hardest to hid it but deffinetly showing now. We are both excited and very happy about this new bundle of joy.

This is C&Pd from Babycenter, so don't worry about offending anyone here who may have been its originator. 

Califlorida

my first thought was "it's a vagina, not a clown car" -Homer Simpson

my second thought, is it controversial because she's had multiple c/s? idk, i'm honestly just asking.

punkfiction

i dont understand what there is to flame. maybe i should read again?

Heather R

I don't get the need to have that many kids.  I just don't.  I don't know  how someone who is NOT literally a multi-millionaire could afford it.

kelbrian

Heather R:

I don't get the need to have that many kids.  I just don't.  I don't know  how someone who is NOT literally a multi-millionaire could afford it.

Have your husband become a pastor at a mega church. You get a huge free house and a bunch of perks.

I know three couples who live like this, although only one has six children. 

punkfiction

kelbrian:

Heather R:

I don't get the need to have that many kids.  I just don't.  I don't know  how someone who is NOT literally a multi-millionaire could afford it.

Have your husband become a pastor at a mega church. You get a huge free house and a bunch of perks.

I know three couples who live like this, although only one has six children. 

a church is a business. are they not supposed to make any money by being a pastor of a profitable church?

Heather R

kelbrian:

Heather R:

I don't get the need to have that many kids.  I just don't.  I don't know  how someone who is NOT literally a multi-millionaire could afford it.

Have your husband become a pastor at a mega church. You get a huge free house and a bunch of perks.

I know three couples who live like this, although only one has six children. 

a) I wonder if anyone is outraged at this, as it seems the equivalent of "working the system."

b) I see now.  They are breeding God's army.

 

vanillacourage

Ah - my raised eyebrows came from that many c-sections.  My doc told me that 2, maybe 3 is all that a woman should have before the risk of hemhorraging (sp?) and other complications going up significantly.

userdeleted

What? Because of the c-sections? Well, it's not something I'd want to do, but that's why I'm trying for a VBAC. My original OB told me he'd done 8 c/s on one person and had no problems, so it's possible her doctor has told her it's fine.

Because she has 8 children? I don't think that's obscene. I could see myself possibly ending up with 8 children...though more likely than not we'll stop somewhere between 4 and 6

krys2729

if they have help (without a tv show), i don't see the problem.  but i really don't see how 1or2 people can properly engage 8 children, unless half or more are in school for the majority of the day. 

kelbrian

punkfiction:

a church is a business. are they not supposed to make any money by being a pastor of a profitable church?

I'm just saying that is how some people afford it. It seems like the other two couples I know followed the first couple just to have that lifestyle. Not what it is for all couples in the church 'business,' but for some, it is what it is. 

Heather R

punkers, I think you're misreading-- the pastor gets the stuff for free for being a pastor and having oodles of kids, not because he has a big salary.  Or maybe I'm misreading.

kelbrian

Heather R:

kelbrian:

Heather R:

I don't get the need to have that many kids.  I just don't.  I don't know  how someone who is NOT literally a multi-millionaire could afford it.

Have your husband become a pastor at a mega church. You get a huge free house and a bunch of perks.

I know three couples who live like this, although only one has six children. 

a) I wonder if anyone is outraged at this, as it seems the equivalent of "working the system."

b) I see now.  They are breeding God's army.

 

Someone made a comment about how they only need six more to have 'disciples,' and he commented back about how that is what they are shooting for. O_o Hope he was joking. Twelve?  

Califlorida

vanillacourage:

Ah - my raised eyebrows came from that many c-sections.  My doc told me that 2, maybe 3 is all that a woman should have before the risk of hemhorraging (sp?) and other complications going up significantly.

ok, that's what i thought. i have a co-worker who's had 3 c/s and her dr said no more.

punkfiction

kelbrian:

punkfiction:

a church is a business. are they not supposed to make any money by being a pastor of a profitable church?

I'm just saying that is how some people afford it. It seems like the other two couples I know followed the first couple just to have that lifestyle. Not what it is for all couples in the church 'business,' but for some, it is what it is. 

this is the weirdest thing i have ever read for justifying why people have numerous children. 

Tess12

vanillacourage:

Ah - my raised eyebrows came from that many c-sections.  My doc told me that 2, maybe 3 is all that a woman should have before the risk of hemhorraging (sp?) and other complications going up significantly.

Yeah, that's what I thought, too.  She's got seven kids at home, but she's risking a seventh c/s.  I would be scared.

punkfiction

Heather R:

punkers, I think you're misreading-- the pastor gets the stuff for free for being a pastor and having oodles of kids, not because he has a big salary.  Or maybe I'm misreading.

no pastors get homes (in many churches) no matter if they have none, 1, or 15 kids. 

Califlorida

punkfiction:

Heather R:

punkers, I think you're misreading-- the pastor gets the stuff for free for being a pastor and having oodles of kids, not because he has a big salary.  Or maybe I'm misreading.

no pastors get homes (in many churches) no matter if they have none, 1, or 15 kids. 

and they don't pay taxes. and their congregation pays for their lifestyle. and on and on... i think it's funny that you said churches are business and they should be profitable.  i wonder what holy baby jebus would think of that.

618mom22boys

kelbrian:

Heather R:

kelbrian:

Heather R:

I don't get the need to have that many kids.  I just don't.  I don't know  how someone who is NOT literally a multi-millionaire could afford it.

Have your husband become a pastor at a mega church. You get a huge free house and a bunch of perks.

I know three couples who live like this, although only one has six children. 

a) I wonder if anyone is outraged at this, as it seems the equivalent of

"working the system."

b) I see now.  They are breeding God's army.

 

Someone made a comment about how they only need six more to have 'disciples,' and he commented back about how that is what they are shooting for. O_o Hope he was joking. Twelve?  

I grew up with a girl who had 12 siblings.  SO they had 13 kids all together.   And they are all singleton kids, not twins or anything.  It seemed like she was always pregnant.  

 

punkfiction

Califlorida:

punkfiction:

Heather R:

punkers, I think you're misreading-- the pastor gets the stuff for free for being a pastor and having oodles of kids, not because he has a big salary.  Or maybe I'm misreading.

no pastors get homes (in many churches) no matter if they have none, 1, or 15 kids. 

and they don't pay taxes. and their congregation pays for their lifestyle. and on and on... i think it's funny that you said churches are business and they should be profitable.  i wonder what holy baby jebus would think of that.

its a job, cali. that would be like saying anyone who works for a "giving" or christian company should not be compensated bc "gods work should be for free". huh?

vanillacourage

This post has totally spiraled out of control, lol.

ElizC

Heather R:

I don't get the need to have that many kids.  I just don't.  I don't know  how someone who is NOT literally a multi-millionaire could afford it.

My IL have 8 kids, and lived on a very small salary, but they also managed to put 100,000 dollars on cc.  Then they filed for bankruptcy.  They also live in a house that is falling apart.  They haven't help any of their kids go to college.  Also if they wanted anything special the kids were expected to get a job and pay for it themselves.  It isn't just financial thing, but a time thing.  IL are not able to spend any quality time with any of their children.  I am sure someone with better time management would be able to have time for that many kids, but my MIL doesn't.  It often takes her a week to return a phone call and never calls to see how DS or DH are doing.

 

Heather R

vanillacourage:

This post has totally spiraled out of control, lol.

I don't think so.  When the pets board gets called, then it will be out of control.

kelbrian

Califlorida:

punkfiction:

Heather R:

punkers, I think you're misreading-- the pastor gets the stuff for free for being a pastor and having oodles of kids, not because he has a big salary.  Or maybe I'm misreading.

no pastors get homes (in many churches) no matter if they have none, 1, or 15 kids. 

and they don't pay taxes. and their congregation pays for their lifestyle. and on and on... i think it's funny that you said churches are business and they should be profitable.  i wonder what holy baby jebus would think of that.

I've watched this guy move from church to church because he wasn't getting enough at the last one or because his ideas were too radical for the small churches and he was kicked out. 

So now he's at a giant mega church with a giant mega house and six kids.  

He went from being a youth pastor with two children when I met him to a pastor who has five and one on the way and works at a McChurch.

Churches shouldn't be businesses. They shouldn't contain Starbucks or McDonald's or a salon in order to make money.  

Tess12

vanillacourage:

This post has totally spiraled out of control, lol.

Not what you were planning, huh? 

I stayed on topic--do I get a cookie?

Califlorida

it's a job and some would say, it's a calling.  i'm not saying a dedicated man or woman who wants to run a church shouldn't have a roof over their head.  but let's be honest... a roof or a mcmansion?  a car or a cadillac?  an income or a 6 figure salary?

Heather R

Califlorida:

it's a job and some would say, it's a calling.  i'm not saying a dedicated man or woman who wants to run a church shouldn't have a roof over their head.  but let's be honest... a roof or a mcmansion?  a car or a cadillac?  an income or a 6 figure salary?

I mean this in all seriousness, with no sarcasm or cynicism whatsoever: do these things get in the way of a pious and humble Christian vision?  Are they in line with Christian spiritual goals?  Hm.

punkfiction

Califlorida:

it's a job and some would say, it's a calling.  i'm not saying a dedicated man or woman who wants to run a church shouldn't have a roof over their head.  but let's be honest... a roof or a mcmansion?  a car or a cadillac?  an income or a 6 figure salary?

do you know a lot of pastors? how many hours they put in? how much seminary school is? lawyers get paid a lot - and they like to joke "well its to pay for school" - one could argue the same thing. i went to a college with a lot of preacher kids. they did not all come from extravagant families. and the ones that did earned that money - the payday doesn't end sunday at noon.

Mistress

I think it's funny that they haven't told any family members, but honestly at this point I'd just be assuming she was pregnant again. 

"We're pregnant again!"

"You mean you weren't?"

punkfiction

Heather R:

Califlorida:

it's a job and some would say, it's a calling.  i'm not saying a dedicated man or woman who wants to run a church shouldn't have a roof over their head.  but let's be honest... a roof or a mcmansion?  a car or a cadillac?  an income or a 6 figure salary?

I mean this in all seriousness, with no sarcasm or cynicism whatsoever: do these things get in the way of a pious and humble Christian vision?  Are they in line with Christian spiritual goals?  Hm.

when did pious and humble = poor and without any sort of nice belongings?

Califlorida

idk, i guess serving god and preaching to his followers meant that you didn't care a whole hell of a lot for how nice your home is. 

but truly, i don't care. i'm not christian. 

punkfiction

Califlorida:

idk, i guess serving god and preaching to his followers meant that you didn't care a whole hell of a lot for how nice your home is. 

but truly, i don't care. i'm not christian. 

who says that they care. like i said before - the house comes with the job. the next time you quit a job and turn down benefits bc you don't feel "right" getting the perks - then id think the argument stands

Janimal

I am shocked at how this turned into a thread about pastors and the homes their congregants pay for.

Being a pastor is a job.  If a home is part of the compensation package, why is this a big deal?  A pastor who sucks at his job will not have people coming to church, will not have collections in the plate, and therefore, will end up losing their job and not getting paid. 

I believe congregants expect their pastors or other clergy to be able to live and support their families.  When tithes are paid, it is understood that part of the money is to pay a salary so he/she can be a spiritual leader.  A home for the family is sometimes part of the deal.  This is not a shocking or unheard of concept. 

Whether or not they should have a bunch of kids to raise disciples is a whole different subject, but hating on pastors for having church paid rooves over their heads?  I don't get it.

star173

Regarding this pastor thing: some preachers think God is a vending machine and use the name of God to advance themselves financially, socially, etc. They will answer to Him one day...and it will be scary.

Others, like friends of mine, give up everything to live in a new country, learn a new language, and don't have certain possessions that we take for granted. They give their entire lives to serving the God that they love- sacrificing everything..sometimes even their very lives for that cause.

Soooooooo, lets not jump to the conclusion that because they have a lot of money and a lot of kids that they're in ministry, kthxbai.

DelGrecoBride

if im not mistaken...those who believe in heaven (the biblical heaven) there will be mansions there

punkfiction

DelGrecoBride:

if im not mistaken...those who believe in heaven (the biblical heaven) there will be mansions there

and crowns of jewels i'll take mine now, too. 

 

kidding! 

Califlorida

lol. you are relentless.

we are talking about a job that's all about teaching people how to be spiritually fulfilled, give to the poor, not covet other people's crap, etc etc.  to date, i haven't been offered that kind of job.  but i'll keep you posted.

DelGrecoBride

oh and not only is being a pastor a job....but its a 24/7 job. literally.

star173

DelGrecoBride:

oh and not only is being a pastor a job....but its a 24/7 job. literally.

True. But it's a job of self sacrifice...and I'm not saying they can't live decent lives, but it raises eyebrows when certain pastors live in the largest houses in the city and their congregation is made up mostly of the poor. There is something to this...but certainly not enough pastors abuse their position to constitute such a general statement. Sadly, it's the ones you see on TV and hear about the most.

djandkellen

krys2729:

if they have help (without a tv show), i don't see the problem.  but i really don't see how 1or2 people can properly engage 8 children, unless half or more are in school for the majority of the day. 

My DH comes from a family of 7.  They had family around that helped (sisters/brothers/cousins) but the two of them did it.   

Califlorida

Janimal:

Whether or not they should have a bunch of kids to raise disciples is a whole different subject, but hating on pastors for having church paid rooves over their heads?  I don't get it.

it's all about the kind of roof.  (roofs plural)  but if you'd like to go on believing there's no corruption in mega-churches, then please... carry on.