I wanted to write a letter to let you know about a decision that we have made as a church and how we came about that decision.
LAST year, a former employee resigned abruptly. I informed the congregation the following Sunday, and since then, I have not spoken publically about this and would love to continue with that policy, but I cannot due to a sensitive issue concerning the church.
ABOUT a month ago, I received a summons that I would have to appear before the Labor Board of California because this former employee was claiming that we owed him $1,856.12 in back wages for the time served from his last paycheck to the day of his resignation. As a result, he was seeking the amount of back wages plus $6,187.20 in penalties for a grand total of $8,043.32. As an employer in the state of California, upon the resignation of an employee, I have three days to pay their wages or else I face penalties. I was not aware of this, and for that I am truly sorry, and ask this church’s forgiveness. As a man of God, I have always paid my bills on time, and our church always pays their bills on time. To my knowledge, we have paid everyone everything we owe.
THE reason this employee was not paid any money after he left is simply that we felt we paid him in full and can verify our facts from our payroll records and dates. So, my inclination was to dispute the charges, contesting the $1,856.12 as claimed, and therefore nullifying any penalties.
WANTING to dispute this claim, in order to protect our church family and our finances, I called our Denomination’s attorney, El Clark, and sent him all of our documentation on the issue. I also contacted a labor attorney in San Jose on numerous occasions, by phone and in person. I have been at an impasse with this situation for over a month now. I have spent a good bit of time discussing this issue with attorneys, Foursquare officials, our church council and many of our church elders.
THERE are several reasons why I am telling you this now. First, I felt you needed to hear from me on this important subject. Second, I wanted to confess and apologize for my wrong doing in not paying better attention to the employment laws of California. Third, I wanted to tell you a few things about our Foursquare Denomination’s covering and graciousness. Finally, I want you to hear how we process important decisions in this church and the role God’s Word plays in this decision making process.
OUR Foursquare Denomination (District Officials and Legal Counsel, and some of my personal Mentors) all believe that we have the right to dispute the claim, and that they would stand behind us if we did in fact challenge it, however, they felt it was more prudent to just settle the claim fully. In other words pay to the full $1,856.12, plus $6,187.20 in penalties, for a total of $8,043.32. Settle and be done with it was their advice and preference. As I have stated earlier in this letter, my feelings as the pastor of our church was to dispute the claim. We believe we have grounds to defeat all or part of their claim, but choose not to. So, this has been my quandary for the past few weeks. Settle the claim and be done with it, or dispute it. Both of these decisions have their own merit, and believe me, I have wrestled over both. This is why we need counsel from Godly leaders and His Word to guide us.
DURING my personal “Cover To Cover” Bible reading, the Lord spoke to me about the issue, which you would think would have settled the matter right on the spot. But, as we all know, sometimes we think we know more than God and choose to ignore Him, or debate Him about His Word. This is when all the “yabuts” are introduced into my prayer time with God. He is patient with all my “yabuts”, but His Word does not, nor will it ever change. Here is what Jesus spoke to me from Matthew 5:25-26, “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.” God’s Word speaks clearly; it’s just that my hearing and obedience is not always so clear.
BECAUSE of God’s Word, and the advice of our Denomination, I have agreed with them to send a check to the Labor Board for the full amount of the claim and all the penalties accrued. I am very sorry to have jeopardized the character and integrity of our church and want to make amends, as advised. Please forgive me and pray that this will be the end of the matter completely.
AS for our Foursquare Denomination, they have graciously volunteered to cover the entire amount of the claim as a sign of their support for the Foothills Foursquare Church.
THANK you for your time, concern, and I pray, your understanding and forgiveness. In the future, I will try to do a better job as the pastor of the Foothills, which I have dearly loved and been privileged to pastor for the past 20 years. Bless you and thank you again.
Pastor Mark S. Wilson
