One of the Biggest Mistakes

[jtork]

Who says you have to pay your tithes to the church you attend all the time???? There have been times when we have paid our tithes to other ministries and one weekend we were out of town and my husband bought a bunch of stuff and donated it to a homeless shelter for our tithes - I know a preacher better never send somebody to my house to collect tithes. I think these pentecostal organizations should do what other organizations do - pay pastors a salary through the organization - would keep them from forgetting what they are there for!!!!

[Neck]

Originally Posted by aak1972

Without looking it up dont the Bible say "bring your tithes to the storehouse"??

Let's just all set up ACH payments for twice per month...

[bkstokes]

Originally Posted by jtork

Who says you have to pay your tithes to the church you attend all the time???? There have been times when we have paid our tithes to other ministries and one weekend we were out of town and my husband bought a bunch of stuff and donated it to a homeless shelter for our tithes - I know a preacher better never send somebody to my house to collect tithes. I think these pentecostal organizations should do what other organizations do - pay pastors a salary through the organization - would keep them from forgetting what they are there for!!!!

Pastors would never do that -- they would then loose control.

I know some Pastors who take the church's money and buy property around the church. The only thing -- the property is in their name.

[jtork]

Originally Posted by Neck

Let's just all set up ACH payments for twice per month...

Well there are some churches that have little kiosk there and you can just swipe you credit card -

[MissBrattified]

This thread isn't really about giving, is it? But we have no problem setting aside part of our income to give to God, regardless of whether it's a biblical requirement or not (for the NT church). I don't think it's absolutely necessary to give whatever portion to the home church, but it makes logical sense to me to take care of the needs closest to me first, and then support other functions and ministries if there are leftover funds.

I can't understand the reasoning behind neglecting the local assembly in order to support other ministries. But if the local assembly is doing fine on all fronts, and there are no financial issues, I suppose it doesn't matter if you donate elsewhere.

[Cindy]

I think some are making this about "me" instead of God. Or allowing some bad pastors to color their views of the church. But I guess if all you have known are bad, that it's just human nature to do so.
There are some churches I know of that the pastor has to work a secular job, to pay all the bills. Because the tithes are not enough to pay a salary, much less take care of the church.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by cneasttx

I think some are making this about "me" instead of God. Or allowing some bad pastors to color their views of the church. But I guess if all you have known are bad, that it's just human nature to do so.
There are some churches I know of that the pastor has to work a secular job, to pay all the bills. Because the tithes are not enough to pay a salary, much less take care of the church.

Precisely. The majority of pastors are NOT high-rollers. I remember when my Grandma died, my Dad was the beneficiary of her very tiny $25,000.00 life insurance policy. He paid for her funeral, paid her medical bills, and then put the rest into the church coffers, to pay bills that the tithes and offering wouldn't cover. There were a couple members of our extended family who accused him of pocketing the money, (it was his anyway, but no matter--they thought they had some rights to it) and thought he'd gotten rich or something off a few thousand dollars. LOL!!!

I knew better because I helped them balance their books, but he wouldn't let me say a word. Just let them think what they wanted and suffer with their greed.

[ILG]

Originally Posted by cneasttx

I do hope you can find someone, or someplace where you can talk about the things that are bothering you. Like I told MP I did not mean to offend you, as I never experienced anything like that in the UPC churches I have attended. I will be praying for you. And praying for more understanding myself.

Thanks.

[scotty]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

This thread isn't really about giving, is it? But we have no problem setting aside part of our income to give to God, regardless of whether it's a biblical requirement or not (for the NT church). I don't think it's absolutely necessary to give whatever portion to the home church, but it makes logical sense to me to take care of the needs closest to me first, and then support other functions and ministries if there are leftover funds.

I can't understand the reasoning behind neglecting the local assembly in order to support other ministries. But if the local assembly is doing fine on all fronts, and there are no financial issues, I suppose it doesn't matter if you donate elsewhere.

I agree, in a good church setting ( such as mine ) the congregation is like a second family. In some cases a first family as I would have better luck recieving a assistance from some church members over family members. I give to my local assembly because they give to me. Spiritually and physically. The church of Acts gave to themselves in order to help the less fortunate among themselves.

I was discussing with a brother in the church a problem I was having with my wifes car, it was overheating and after several checks of other systems it appeared to be a cracked head. I was inquiring as to a shop to have the repairs made that would do quality work and be affordable so I could start saving. This was prior to service begining. By the end of service , having spoken to no one else about it, I had recieved a total of $1200.00 from about 8 or 9 different members of the congregation.

I think many take a message of church attendence as a control issue when it is possibly meant as a message of love and fellowship within the body.

This may be a NEWS FLASH I know, but guess what !?!?! Some may want to see you in church or ask about you missing church because they truley CARE about you. I realize that may be a new concept considering most all churches are really just out for the control of you and your finances.

[ILG]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

ILG,
You know this Forum is very open about expressing anything we want to express and I'm glad you have a place to do that.

I must point out that your opening thread title and sentence were already in the negative. That's not even good practice going into an argument with your spouse. LOL!

The first thought coming out of the gate seemed to be, pretty much, "Heads up! This is what is wrong with you." That might not go over too well if we are going to have continuing conversations about the UPCI. Just saying.....

I've already expressed to you my feelings - I stay if God says to stay. Therefore, I know that I learn and grow staying in His will. I could talk about a whole lot of things, but something in my heart feels like I'm telling God - "You don't really know what's best for me." I can't do that and that's just they way I handle it. I'm where ever He wants me to be. I have good stories and I have bad stories. His Word has spoken to me in all seasons and I am blessed. Just sharing........

Yeah, I guess I understand that...and you have a point. I do wonder sometimes though if there is any approporiate way to point out an issue that I believe affected me and my life and husband and kids deeply, because of UPC teachings, so as to try and help someone else avoid the mistakes we made and have them look at it and say "Well, yeah, we could probably improve a bit in this area." Especially the pastors who are still teaching this. My intention is not to bash anyone, but to spare people the pain and mistakes I made. Maybe I should have entitled the post One of the Biggest Mistakes I Made....but then that would be to say that I listened to something I shouldn't have and that would probably not fare well with some either.