Non-Tithers are Excommunicated?

Orthodoxy · #1 10-14-2011, 12:46 PM

Today I was in the foyer of a conservative Missionary Baptist Church. On the bulletin board in the foyer was an open letter from the pastor to the congregation.

In the letter, the pastor stated that he had been very lenient in the past regarding his members and tithing. He then said that he was very disappointed at the lack of tithing among his congregants. He apologized for his former leniency, and said that things were going to change. From now on, every member of his church was required to tithe. He would give them a grace period of 30 days, but after that, if a church member failed to tithe, they would be excommunicated.

Now look, I understand that the concept of sacrificial giving is Biblical. I believe that every true Christian will have the desire to give of his finances to the Kingdom. Truth be told, tithing should probably be the bare minimum of our giving. It's a disgrace that we in America give so little, considering our wealth.

But I cannot say that tithing is a requirement for church membership. Where is this in the Bible? Furthermore, I've never heard a pastor say that he would excommunicate any member who did not tithe. Has anyone else heard anything like this?

Dagwood · #2 10-14-2011, 11:52 PM

I find it kind of strange he would go this level. However, I'd be curious to know if he previously spoke to the congregation as a heads-up that he was going to do this. We'll probably never know...

For some reason, and I may be wrong, but I believe something like this happens in the Mormon church. I'd have to research a little. But, I vividly recall some of their members stopping by my house to collect tithes...10 years after voluntarily disfellowship. This was back in the late 90s; things may have changed since then...

Digging4Truth · #3 10-17-2011, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dagwood

I'd be curious to know if he previously spoke to the congregation as a heads-up that he was going to do this. We'll probably never know...

What would that matter?

Dagwood · #4 10-17-2011, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

What would that matter?

Not that it would really matter. Just sometimes when times get tough for the church, a pastor will be quick to mention it and/or even incorporate it in their preaching...

Digging4Truth · #5 10-17-2011, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dagwood

Not that it would really matter. Just sometimes when times get tough for the church, a pastor will be quick to mention it and/or even incorporate it in their preaching...

Agreed.

Scott Hutchinson · #6 10-15-2011, 05:02 AM

If Tithing is for the new covenant than why don't the pastors be like the Levites and not own any property,and how come any of the tithing money doesn't go to widows or orphans ?And yes we should be liberal in our giving,and we should support the work of God with our monetary support,but we don't find tithing in the New Testament.