Question:  Dear Greg,

            I was wondering if this is a correct thing to do in the house of God.  There was a sheet that was given to every member to let them know how much each member owed the church—things that tithes and offerings do not cover.  As of now my husband and I have not paid them.  The church is saying that we are indebted to them for these items.  The church says that we must seek the Lord to see if he would have us pay for these items.  The items are a church bus vow of $1000, building fund of $2000 and a restoration fund of $1555.  They said that we could pay as little or as much of this debt off as our budget allows.

            We cannot pay anything.  We are trying so hard to pay our tithes and offerings.  I was wondering if this was standard procedure for most churches?  We seem to owe everyone.

            Thanks,

            Di

Answer:  Dear Di,

            Not only is this not standard procedure for Christian churches, depending upon all of the background to this account (you only gave a few details), but “strong-arming” in the name of God is unbiblical.  There are churches that ask for pledges, but churches and pastors that are Christian should know that the new covenant does not permit demanding specific amounts or percentages from members.  No, what you describe is not the normative practice of Christian churches.

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht