|
|
Post by lanl ns on Jan 23, 2006 11:19:30 GMT -5
Greeting everyone: I ran across the strangest scenario this past weekend; there is a Church who has taken member names off the roll if they have not tithe regularly  . The Pastor stated over the church that if you don't tithe than you can't be a member of this church....... What does tithing have to do with being a member of the body of Christ? The Pastor's theory is that if you can't pay your tithes than you can't have the privileges of membership of this church! The church has just built a $3Million edifice and now the Pastor has gotten this new revelation, however when they were 500 members in "da hood" this revelation never came, however since they moved into the new building 4 months ago the Lawd gave him this "new" revelation regarding tithes and membership. This past Sunday the Pastor went over the membership roll and called out "all" members of the church. The people who were tithing trying to do their best names were not called but only the names of those who tithe consistently. What do yall think about this? |
|
|
|
Post by lanl ns on Jan 23, 2006 11:20:43 GMT -5
Is this in the scriptures?
|
|
|
|
Post by ybrown on Jan 23, 2006 12:14:37 GMT -5
Not scriptural in the least. I'm sure Jesus'll let that pastor know what He thought about this idea when he stands before Him.
|
|
|
|
Post by Nikkol on Jan 23, 2006 12:57:46 GMT -5
Being a member of a church and being a member of the body of Christ are at this time two separate things. There are some people who aren't a "member" of a church although they attend the church regularly. Nothing scriptural in reference to having to be a member of a church in order to be saved for our main purpose should be souls.
Many churches actually have tithing as part of their bi-laws. Therefore, if a person wants to be part of that particular congregation than they should be willing to abide by the standards of the ministry.
It's not really a new revelation...... this is a norm, esp. in many baptist churches.
I don't believe that this means that those that are "no longer members" can no longer go to the assembly to worship. Just that maybe the pastor is desiring for those of the ministry to be on one accord and if tithing is part of the ministry and not everyone is doing it, that could show a lack of unity.
|
|
|
|
Post by Beulah5 on Jan 23, 2006 13:21:39 GMT -5
Nikkol what are u therefore advocating? Where did bi-lawas and membership come from? Since when did Jesus start running His church that way?
Greedy pastors with control issues is what springs to mind.
The pastor is not responsible for bringing spiritual accord-it is the responsibility of the Holy Spirit.
Unity on church bi-laws never leads to any spiritual advancement.
|
|
|
|
Post by GiantsDODie ns on Jan 23, 2006 13:52:36 GMT -5
Being a member of a church and being a member of the body of Christ are at this time two separate things. . Thank you. Being a church member doenst make you a part of the Body and neither does being a part of the body make you a church member. And thats all i am going to say on that cause the anti-tithe contingent will probably show up and hijack the post like they do every other tithe discussion.. Yeah I said it.. |
|
|
|
Post by And Such Were Some Of You on Jan 23, 2006 14:10:06 GMT -5
lol
|
|
|
|
Post by Nikkol on Jan 23, 2006 14:50:26 GMT -5
Just like people have certain standards, churches have standards for a specific reason. I know some people that can't eat anything besides fruit veggies and water. Others have to wear certain colors...... the list goes on and on. And some ministries have different standards as well. However, if you don't believe in tithing, why would you want to be a member of a church that does? That's like me wanting to be a member of a swim team but I don't want to get in the water.......that makes no sense. Just because you aren't a member of a church doesn't negate your ability to go to heaven. However, being in a church that has certain standards and choosing to not follow them can become a stumbling block for someone else in that ministry and could cause them to be offended......
Point being if one believes that they shouldn't have to do "x" don't be a member of a church that has that standard.There are many other churches that have different standards. Does that mean that one assembly is better? No. But rather that each one is different and should have the ability to be so..... and like I said before, why would you say you go to a church that believes "x" but you don't do it?
|
|
|
|
Post by lanl ns on Jan 23, 2006 14:56:52 GMT -5
Nikkol this was a Baptist church and me being "closed minded" COGIC I had never heard of such.
Maybe it is not as unusual as I thought it was.
|
|
|
|
Post by lanl ns on Jan 23, 2006 15:06:02 GMT -5
In regards to disagreeing on beliefs that is one thing but to actually "put someone out" of a church because they don't tithe to me is CRAZY.
Why not put all the drug dealers out of church; this church is known as a haven for drug dealers, but of course none of the Dope Boys were "kicked out" because they can pay tithes with "bloody" money.
Why not put out the adulterers, or women who have babies out of wedlock.
Does one sin outweighs the other sin?
To me it seems as if the Pastor is saying OK you can go smoke cigarettes on the church parking lot after service, nothing is wrong with that but if you don't pay tithes you can't be a member.
|
|
|
|
Post by Nikkol on Jan 23, 2006 15:44:31 GMT -5
I thought he said they were no longer "members"... not that they could no longer come to the assembly or that they were "put out". They really aren't the same thing....  |
|
|
|
Post by lanl ns on Jan 23, 2006 16:01:38 GMT -5
I thought he said they were no longer "members"... not that they could no longer come to the assembly or that they were "put out". They really aren't the same thing.... If you are not a member anymore than you are "put out" therefore you have to find another church to join. I am certain that one can drop by, but if you aren't a member you are no longer able to associate with any auxiliaries of the church or participate in church related activities. To me telling someone you aren't a member and being put out are the same thing......... A person is not welcome anymore to participate with this church body only tithers. What about children who are 12, 13, 14 or college students with no money but are talented and now are not associated with a church membership. This is sad on so many notes; I am thinking that this is a college town and there maybe some lonely college student who joined this church to have fellowship with other people who enjoy singing; but now this child can't sing or play an instrument because they don't work and don't have the funds to pay tithes. Becuz on Sunday if that college student hadn't paid tithes then they were no longer considered a member and could not participate in any activities of the church. What about those poor teenagers and being involved in the youth department was the only thing keeping them out of trouble. Church Membership based on money  |
|
|
|
Post by And Such Were Some Of You on Jan 23, 2006 16:06:33 GMT -5
Actually, if the "college student" doesn't have a job then technically they cannot tithe off of something they do not have and therefore this situation should/would not apply.
|
|
|
|
Post by lanl ns on Jan 23, 2006 16:29:55 GMT -5
Actually, if the "college student" doesn't have a job then technically they cannot tithe off of something they do not have and therefore this situation should/would not apply. If that is the case than no one should be banned because the Pastor and financial department are only going off of assumptions. As a matter of fact, there was a time when I didn't work and paid more money to the church then when I had a job, only because I was so grateful that the Lord was keeping me (WELL) even though I was without a job. Very few people knew that I didn't have a job...... |
|
|
|
Post by elderbeck NSI on Jan 23, 2006 16:39:29 GMT -5
LANL... Its a difference with not having a job and not being able to tithe, compared to having a job, going to a tithe based church and you still dont tithe. Most believe that if you dont tithe and have a job, you are cursing yourself, and to sing on the choir, serve as an usher, or in some ministry department are for those who are obedient to the church standards.
|
|
.
