Do you give regularly to your church?

[AtYourCervix]

Financial I mean.

Could I be ever so nosey and ask how much a month?

I've never done a regular direct debit giving thing - more sporadic if I have extrra and I'm wondering how much is acceptable. (by no means well off but could find a bit extra iyswim).

Bear, thank you. It's rare to find another survivor. When folk leave the JWs, they just tend to disappear, probably because you have to shun them and because no-one has any life outside the church!

Aren't all the rules really, really stupid! Especially as Jesus was so anti-legalism.

Surf, I am so sorry that church is just an added pressure. It should be a source of joy and no-one should feel forced to give more than they are comfortable with. Had your minister never heard of the widow's mite?

This is one of the reasons that finance is such a contentious and difficult issue within churches. As long as you give regularly and freely, within your means, that should be all that matters. Money should not be a reason for people not to come to church, it's not just for the affluent. In fact, Jesus welcomed the poor and the despised freely and willingly. And he never mentioned tithing except to ridicule the religious establishment for their false piety over it.

Perhaps you should look for a nicer, more supportive church where they will welcome you for yourself and your faith, not your bank account.

I don't know any exmo's here in Scotland, they all seem to have vanished, but then so do the members! (more inactive/resigned than attending)

Yeah, the rules are so petty, esp the shunning. The mormons do that too, but not to the JW extent.

I firmly believe that ANY church that wants to be attended/supported needs to be welcoming and supporting, and not just if/when you are tithing to them.

Wow I'm really shocked by some of the attitudes in the churches on here. My church has open accounts which can be inspected by anyone, and we have an annual meeting where they're discussed and broken down. There's no pressure to be giving a certain amount - only to be mindful in what you're doing with your money. We don't currently give anything as we're missionaries so we receive money instead

Britain Yearly Meeting of Quakers is coy about how much they need from each member but will tell you if you ask them. Last time I asked, a coupkle of years ago, it was £150 per year for national work, roughly the same again for local work. But we don't have to pay for ministers.

My feeling is that this thread is actually about a row in a local congregation. Now imagine if anyone holding any post in your church (locally) held it voluntarily for 3 years and then had to hand it on; and no-one could tell you what to do but could only advise you and encourage you to listen to God??? And if all decisions were taken by listening to everyone who came to the meeting (with silent worship before and after), and producing a minute which everyone thought reflected what God was telling the meeting?

I'm LDS and obviously don't think its a "very dangerous, insidious cult" I was also very at some of the other things mentioned as they are not the same as my experience.

I thought I should probably clarify,
I do pay tithing but not always the other contributions. I have asked before what tithing is used for and was always got an answer to whatever I was asking.
I don't have a 72 hour pack or a years storage, I probably have a few weeks worth of stuff in in case we are short of money one month.
I don't go to Sunday evening firesides each week (there aren't any to go to)
I like family night as its a great time to spend time together as a family doing fun stuff.
I don't go to meetings of scripture study (again none to go to)
My children go to activities sometimes but these are fun things and they like them.
I was always actively encouraged to pursue education and a career.

We do help clean the church, our family help once every 6 months and its nice to give service sometimes.
Family always come first and although we do try to help others if we can it would never be to the detriment of our families. I'm also sure everyone weather they go to a church or not tries to help those around them if needed.
I have never been made to feel bad or not welcome because I don't have a years supply of food or can't pay into the other funds.

I am lds and pay a tithe. Nobody checks whether I do or no one has ever asked me how much I earn. I am asked as part of a yearly interview if I am a full tithe payer and I answer yes because I am. My dh was not a full tithe payer last year and answered no. He is trying to get it together this year but it is not an issue. He still holds a responsible position in the church. I have never been made feel not good enough, quite the opposite I have been made feel better than I think I am. I also pay a fast offering each month when I fast for 24hours and this goes to those in the area who might be struggling financially and are in need. I also make various other donations and give as much time as I can to support other memebers. I have never shunned or been shunned. All my family are non members and I am very open and honest with them and anyone I meet about my beliefs. I am a woman and I work 4 days a week in a high paying job, earning twice what my dh does. I am educated and all members are actively encouraged to get the best education that they can. I will send all my children to College if that is what the want to do and encourage them all to get secure well paying jobs. I have met some of the most highly educated inspiring women through Church.