Is it right for a church to send letter telling you that you have to give at least $1,000.00 per person.?

Question

My church recently sent me a letter that it cost them $2,500.00 a week for us to have sunday mass.And that they wanted everyone to pay at least that for a pledge.And if you had to pay what you could pay then there was a minimum to that and it was $1,000.00 per person per year.Thats what I pay on my mortgage a year. They needed the money to pay off $35,000.00 on there building fund.And that they needed this to meet there match program that paid $4. for every $1 of new money after the pledges were made.They also asked the people that made pledges already to up them 10% more.They closed by threatening to come to our houses if they couldn't get it done.I thought that worshiping God was free. I don't think that God ment for churches to threaten us like that. If you want a copy of letter to prove what I'm saying is true, then email: [e-mail]. and I will send it to you.

Answer 1

Those letters are a dime a dozen nowadays.

No, it's not right. They are taking advantage of the deluded for monetary gain. You let an individual do something like that, and they go straight to prison for fraud.

Ignore, or write a nasty letter back asking that all monies they receive go to feeding the poor since that is what "Christ" would have done.

Answer 2

I had this problem at a church I attended once. They wanted us to pledge xx amount for the next year to cover a building fund. Well the building was huge and very nice anyway. I dont really think God or Jesus cares what the building looks like. I dont think God or Jesus would want someone to stop feeding their families to pay off a building fund. I think God and Jesus feel that you can worship in a bathroom, a yard, an office, standing at the ocean, or in a church. I feel your church people are in the wrong here. THe letter was inappropriate and harsh. As a Christian, it makes me sad that churches use this type of tactic. IT pushes people away instead of pulling them to the word of God. I quit attending that old church. I now attend a different one. My cousin said it best a few weeks ago, she sent me an email saying she was tired of hearing about the church and what the church is and what it needs and what it does, she said she just wanted to talk about Jesus. You should think about where in your heart you stand with these actions. good luck and God bless you.

Answer 3

It sounds like your church is in a LOT of trouble.

While I would think that the origin (or root) of the problem is most likely that the members have LONG neglected supporting the church financially...it sounds like the impact of the neglect has set in...BUT that doesn't give the church the "right" to use strong armed tactics to try to solve the problem.

Of course, you didn't say what came BEFORE this letter. I'm wondering how many times and in how many ways the church has tried to address the problem with the members without success.

Your church is dying from lack of financial support of its members. Obviously, the members don't care enough about the church to keep it alive.

It's probably time for you to move on to another "free" church and let that one die.


ps: You pay $1000 per year on your mortgage? That's WAY cheap ($83.34 per month)!

Answer 4

This is not a chruch you should goto. 1st off a church needs only 10% of your income whatever it is. The church if over extended could only ask that out of the congregation that their needs are higher then expected & if there was anyway that some 1 could help then people would probably be more generous. Its sad to hear about your situation. I would leave the church because that isn't Biblical & when you are reading your Bible you will find it true. Num. 18:26 tenth... Get a good Bible(KJV, NIV, ASV, NASB, I have just bought a 1599 Geneva Bible that is really helping me to understand scripture because it was the pilgrims Bible w/their footnotes) Pray & fast & God will help you find a more respectable church & may the Lord bless you.

Answer 5

I think that any church congregation's members are equally responsible for the cost and upkeep of the church itself, and if they choose to attend this church they need to do their part. Worshiping God is free (and you certainly don't have to join a church to do so), but building purchase, maintenance, and upkeep is not. If it were free, it would have to be supported by the government which would be a huge breach of separation of church and state. If you want to worship God for free, you will have to do it at home.

I do have to say, however, that this seems a bit on the high side..you may want to check into things, ask for records, maybe volunteer to help with some of the records keeping to see where that much money is actually going. You may be surprised at how many pockets are being filled...

Answer 6

You've actually got some choices here. First is to give what they need. Second is to give what you've been giving and keep going to that church. Third is to give nothing and keep going to that church. Fourth is to send the letter to their regional or national (or both) office and see what response you get (it probably won't be that good of a reply, but they should reply if the letter is worded poorly). Fifth choice is to find a new church.

If you can see the fruits of the contributions you make and those fruits are truly building the Kingdom of the Lord, then stay with that church and give what you can - if anyone says anything to you, tell them you are giving what you can.

Answer 7

Jesus said: "You received free, you give free"

Well its definitely called Tithing and yes it sounds like they are in serious debt up to their eyeballs! Its So wrong to send a letter forcing you to give money! Its definitley not right! Worshipping Jehovah is free and its not worth it to stay in your church. No church should be Tithing.

Here's a bonus you should know about:

Jehovah's Witnesses do not tithe and do not force anybody to give money. We also do not pass collection plates around either. We have volunteer contribution boxes in the lobby in our Kingdom Halls. And we do not tell anyone of our brothers and sisters to give a cerntain amount. Its up to the brother or sister to how much they should donate to the contribution box. Our contribution boxes are completely inclosed with a little slit on top to donate. Nobody should know how much another person donates, if its a little or a lot.

Nobody should be forcing anyone to tithe that's not Christian.

Please check out this article from watchtower.org

Religion How Should It Be Financed?
http://watchtower.org/e/20021201/article_01.htm
Giving Until It Hurts

Religion How Should It Be Financed?
http://watchtower.org/e/20021201/article_02.htm
Giving That Brings Joy

Did the Early Church Fathers Teach Tithing?

"The wealthy among us help the needy . . . They who are well to do, and willing, give what each thinks fit."—The First Apology, Justin Martyr, c. 150 C.E.

"The Jews had indeed the tithes of their goods consecrated to Him, but those who have received liberty set aside all their possessions for the Lord's purposes, . . . as that poor widow acted who cast all her living into the treasury of God."—Against Heresies, Irenaeus, c. 180 C.E.

"Though we have our treasure-chest, it is not made up of purchase-money, as of a religion that has its price. On the monthly day, if he likes, each puts in a small donation; but only if it be his pleasure, and only if he be able: for there is no compulsion; all is voluntary."—Apology, Tertullian, c. 197 C.E.

"As the Church expanded and various institutions arose, it became necessary to make laws which would insure the proper and permanent support of the clergy. The payment of tithes was adopted from the Old Law . . . The earliest positive legislation on the subject seems to be contained in the letter of the bishops assembled at Tours in 567 and the [canons] of the Council of Macon in 585."—The Catholic Encyclopedia.

Answer 8

As a devout agnostic, this incenses even me. I think the life style of the man called Jesus was one to emulate whether or not he was a Deity. Rejection of the religious implications does not diminish what is trying to be taught. Clearly--most parishoners should know the viewpoint of that philosophy on what you write about. I seem to recall the story of Jesus throwing the money lenders from the temple. Your course of action is clear-take control of your church from those who hold money so dear-you have the power--organize the parish-see that your money is spent on helping others and not glorifying the edifice. If all else fails--perhaps there is another church you can lend your support too.

Answer 9

There are some people who do not understand the love of God and then we get a bad rap for those who did not stop. What about the people who belong to that fellowship who were occupied with other problems. Many of the individuals who attend corporately need to be reminded THEY ARE THE CHURCH. It is not the building, the pastor, the elders, the worship leader, the sunday school teachers, etc. WE ARE THE CHURCH. I am sorry the mom was stressed and out of gas. Someone should have stopped. Oh wait, YOU STOPPED. You made a difference in her life. But now you want to see a fault with others but you only rob yourself of the blessing for your genuine act of compassion. God Bless America.

Answer 10

I have been a born again Christian for over 38 years and can state uncategorically that they have no grounds to behave in this manner as it is totally unscriptural for the so-called church that you mention to be pressing people for money. I would immediately sever all contact with this orgaiization and find yourself a true New Testament Church. God bless!

Answer 11

No, that's not right. If your church is having financial problems, they could make an honest appeal to the congregation to give generously. But in no way should they require money from you, or threaten to come to your house! I can't believe that.

Tell them to go back and read their bible again, and what it says about profiteurs in the temple.


PS. Is this a mega-church?