Editorial by David Kowalski
The word nepotism comes from the Latin word nepos, meaning “nephew” or “grandchild” and refers to the granting of employment to family members regardless of merit. The word’s usage is traced to the practice of popes in the middle ages who would bestow high, ecclesiastical offices (such as that of cardinal) to nephews and illegitimate sons (who were referred to as “nephews”).
Church historian Philip Schaff notes that higher office in the church was mostly limited during the middle ages to members of seven families, saying, “The cases in which the red hat [of a cardinal] was conferred for piety or learning were rare.” 1 The most notable practitioner of nepotism during this period was Pope Callixtus III (also referred to as Callistus III, born Alfonso de Borja [Italian Borgia]) who was pope from 1455–58.
The Catholic Encyclopedia says of this pope (calling him “Callistus”):
It injured the reputation of Callistus III, as it gave more color to the charges of nepotism which were even then freely levelled against him. He had already raised to the cardinalate two of his nephews, one of whom, the youthful Rodrigo [25 years old when made cardinal], was later to become Pope Alexander VI; he bestowed upon a third the governorship of the Castle of Sant’ Angelo and the title of Duke of Spoleto. Many asserted that his opposition to Ferdinand of Aragon was due to his desire of securing Naples for the worthless Duke of Spoleto. 2
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Callixtus’ nephew, Pope Alexander VI, subsequently appointed Alessandro Farnese, his mistress’ brother, to the office of cardinal. Farnese eventually became Pope Paul III. Paul III also engaged in nepotism, appointing, for example, two nephews, aged 14 and 16, as cardinals.
Though, in the Old Testament, the monarchy was passed along to physical descendants, the New Testament advocates no such practice in church leadership. The apostolic dictate on the appointment of church leaders was that it should be done according to merit without favoritism of any kind:
I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality.” (1 Timothy 5:21 3)
The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:2)
Additionally, gifts of the Spirit which would enable and empower leaders to serve effectively are given sovereignly by the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 2:4, 1 Corinthians 12, and Romans 12:3-8). The church recognizes these gifts within individuals and subsequently places those persons in ministry positions to which their gifts most suit them. With apologies to the late Johnny Cochran, if The Holy Spirit does not anoint, we must not appoint. Character qualifications are also given for leaders, such as those in Titus 1:5-9:
For this reason I [Paul] left you [Titus] in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.
It seems that nepotism, which grants employment to family members regardless of merit, is not a New Testament method of appointing leaders or any paid staff. Apart from dominion theologians such as Rousas Rushdoony, who favor some form of imposition of Old Testament law, most Christian leaders and ethicists frown upon the practice.
In the August issue of Church Executive, a business magazine for larger and mega churches, Robert Cubillos, business administrator at Rolling Hills Covenant Church, Rolling Hills Estates, CA writes the following:
The consideration and hiring of an employee who is closely connected–by a blood relation–to another employee can cause a great deal of concern for churches…Nepotism can create a group of people who are insular and self-referential; they are insulated from outside scrutiny and opinion and are allied together by powerful allegiances to each other. Our concern was to avoid any situations tending toward partiality and/or favoritism that threaten our church’s organizational unity and our ability to function cohesively 4
The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, a leading Evangelical organization for the promotion of financial integrity in the church, shows some concern over the practice in its sample policy for churches regarding nepotism:
“Policy. XYZ Ministry permits the employment of qualified relatives of employees, of the employee’s household, or immediate family as long as such employment does not, in the opinion of the Ministry, create actual conflicts of interest. For purposes of this policy, “qualified relative” is defined as a spouse, child, parent, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, aunt, uncle, first cousin, corresponding in-law, “step” relation, or any member of the employee’s household. The Ministry will use sound judgment in the placement of related employees in accordance with the following guidelines:
• Individuals who are related by blood, marriage, or reside in the same household are permitted to work in the same Ministry department, provided no direct reporting or supervisor to subordinate relationship exists. That is, no employee is permitted to work within “the chain of command” when one relative’s work responsibilities, salary, hours, career progress, benefits, or other terms and conditions of employ¬ment could be influenced by the other relative.
• Related employees may have no influence over the wages, hours, benefits, career progress and other terms and conditions of the other related staff members.
• Employees who marry while employed, or become part of the same household are treated in accordance with these guidelines. That is, if in the opinion of the Ministry a conflict arises as a result of the relationship, one of the employees may be transferred at the earliest practicable time.
Any exceptions to this policy must be approved by the Ministry Board of Directors.” 5
This sample policy shows the ECFA’s concern with biased hiring, biased treatment, and lack of accountability when ministers hire relatives and oversee their work.
While nepotism is a questionable practice, it is not strictly forbidden in the New Testament. Still, as church history, articles such as the one by Robert Cubillos, and the ECFA’s sample policy all point out, it is generally unwise and often a poor testimony — especially if the employee/minister is accountable to a relative. In an article titled “He Ain’t Lazy, He’s My Brother,” The Warburg Watch relates the following anecdote:
It is human nature to favor your own family. Take a look at our story on Pray’s Mill Baptist Church. Mike Everson was adamantly opposed to pornography and even fired a staff member for viewing pornography on the church computer. However, when his son (a pastor on staff) was caught viewing pornography, he was allowed to remain on staff, and church members who knew were sworn to secrecy. 6
Unbiased evaluation and treatment of relatives goes against human nature.
Nepotism also inevitably raises questions in observer’s minds. The ECFA’s recommendation on related party transactions (in which a church pastor hires the business of a relative to perform a service for the church) points out this issue:
However, even if a transaction is economically beneficial to an organization, it may raise a public perception of questionable integrity [emphasis mine] or create a perception of self-dealing, and the possibility of such perception should be carefully considered before entering into a related-party transaction. 7
At the very least, the practice of nepotism gives the appearance to outsiders that the pastor is using unfair hiring practices and building a family kingdom at the church’s expense. If a pastor’s family member is truly qualified for a staff position, they should be able to find similar work at a different church. If they cannot find similar work elsewhere, they are likely not the most qualified candidate for the position in question.
Certainly there are many high profile cases of nepotism in the church today (Billy and Franklin Graham, for example), and I am not prepared to accuse them of impropriety. Such cases often work out well.
I would say, however, that based on the teaching of the New Testament and the testimony of history, nepotism is a practice that, as a whole, is detrimental to the church. In hiring, there are almost always qualified alternatives to family members, and choosing among those candidates avoids both favoritism and the appearance of it. Even the general public tends to consider nepotism unethical (often scandalous), and to avoid hindering the cause of Christ, I think it is best to refrain from it.
© Copyright 2013, David Kowalski. All rights reserved. Links to this post are encouraged. Do not repost or republish without permission.
Notes:
- http://www.ccel.org/s/schaff/history/6_ch06.htm ↩
- http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03187a.htm ↩
- All Scripture references are taken from the NASB ↩
- Cited in http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/450403740.html ↩
- ↩
- http://thewartburgwatch.com/2009/10/14/he-aint-lazy-hes-my-brother/ ↩
- http://www.ecfa.org/Content/Comment6a ↩
Article details
Related topic(s): David Kowalski, leadership, nepotism
First published (or major update) on Wednesday, April 3, 2013.
Last updated on July 04, 2016. Original content is © Copyright Apologetics Index. All Rights Reserved. For usage guidelines see link at the bottom.
Follow the ministry of Young Life and how many of their highest paid upper level management have their wives on the payroll. It is clear nepotism.
I thought about stopping my support of this ministry when I saw the discrepancy between their regional and divisional director pay verse local staff salary. Then I saw how many of these directors had their wives on staff as administrators. It is clear nepotism, but nothing is done. Shame on Young Life.
I’m afraid I know almost nothing about the inner workings of Young Life, but the problems you describe are rampant in the church today, being signs of spiritual decline. We now tend to see ministry as a career one advances in rather than a means to serve God and others. The resulting gradation in pay follows a worldly model rather than a biblical one, with alarming discrepancies in the pay of upper and lower clergy/management. Church historian Earle Cairns identifies this trend as evidence of a need for revival: “Every stratum of society in the British Isles of the eighteenth century needed revival….a wave of materialism seemed to affect the clergy. Those in the upper echelons [of the denominational structures] were paid disproportionately to the parish clergy.”
Nepotism is also commonplace in our day. I would like to say that the things you say regarding the nepotism you have seen are unique, but I have sadly seen them in many ministries and denominations. These things are so common that, unlike you, most people never question them. Seeing what we believe to be misuse of the ministry is a very disturbing thing (a defiling of the Father’s house).
Still, while we should boldly stand for truth and ethics in ministry, we should resist the temptation to be embittered and isolate ourselves from all organizations (though it is wise to not involve ourselves with organizations that have dishonest or otherwise excessively shameful leadership). Everyone will answer to God — leaders most of all. Each of us must seek to do as much as we can as effectively as we can in spite of the flawed, ministerial environment we labor in.
Having seen this practice throughout the church denomination I attend, I’m sad to say it’s very real and widespread. Even as a youngster observing when I was taken along to what is called ‘witnessing’ (talking to members of the public to encourage them to attend church) I remember hearing that many would scoff and say “that church?! that’s the xx family’s church!”. Some had been hurt apparently by the rampant nepotism practised for generations. It’s still there to this day. It’s not an idea that’s deemed important but who has the idea, or who wants to do what. ‘Rival’ families are kept carefully in check by never being allowed to do anything meaningful, and if by any chance the slip through that net, then their endeavours are undermined or at the very least unsupported by heads and leaders. Wives, daughters, sons, nieces sister-in-laws, and in fact any in-law are all given prime choice and actively encouraged to take centre stage, from youth leadership, singing, preaching, board members, etc. After years of this discouragement and despondency amongst those on the thin end of the wedge is high. Some have left, others suffer quietly. I wonder how those given authority by God justify their ‘choices’ though I imagine they truly believe they’re innocent and have done/are doing nothing wrong at all.
I’m past anger… just mostly hurt and grossly disappointed. What’s it all about?
Guinessjournos:
I appreciate your comment, which exposes a broader kind of nepotism than anything I addressed in the article. Sometimes whole churches (usually smaller ones) can become, in effect, the “spiritual property” of one, extended family. This family will control the board, and one of them will inevitably be the treasurer. No one will become pastor of the church (or remain in that office) without the family’s approval. Policies and worship style are effectively controlled by the family. Those not part of the family eventually learn to submit to it or leave. Pastors who are not part of the family learn that they cannot act as real leaders of the church. This kind of church is not a healthy, New Testament one. Thanks for your valuable contribution.
I married into a family like this. I was expected to serve and my “no” was never taken for an answer. I felt spiritually manipulated and used. I was left physically and spiritually sick. Finally, when open sin was tolerated I could take no more. I voiced my concerns, including the “family business” feel of the church. I became the problem. My husband and I left and this has been a very difficult thing in our lives. Family relations have been strained.
It may be that some of these people are caught in this cycle too. Serving is good when done for the right reasons and with the right equipping. However, when it is manipulated to be a factor in your standing with God and loyalty to family it becomes toxic, legalistic and not Christ honoring.
It always felt wrong to have family members voting on family members salary etc. I could not be honest about any concerns of character or things of that nature when making evaluations. It was awful. There was no one to talk to who didn’t go back and tell the family, which also happened.
I have a similar but different issue. I am one of two new ministers on a staff where everyone else is the child of an elder. At the very least, this is inappropriate because the elders are considered the “bosses” for the ministry staff. It is even more an issue, though, because the children of the elders have nearly killed the church with ineffective ministries…but are not fire-able.
MM:
Thanks for your comment, which is a valuable supplement to the article. I would definitely say your situation is logically related and, as you have discovered, unhealthy for a church. I do not know the type of church government by which your church abides, but in most congregations elders can be voted out over time. Of course, even this can become problematic if the church is essentially run by one, extended family, but your being one of two, new ministers on staff leads me to think this is a larger church — the kind that would not be run by one, extended family. I would be interested to know more about the church government and church size. If you would rather keep that confidential you can note this in your next comment and I will not approve it for publication on the site. I can respond to you through a personal email if necessary. Thanks.