And what if you were to have money-making tactics which depend on unwilling people paying? What if they get in a huff and leave . . . after you have invested so much in having a building which would depend on them?The traditional "goodwill" offering is probably the best system for good, earnest Christians.
What about Churches where there are no pews, such as most Orthodox Churches?For centuries local churches supported their work by either selling the use of pews in the churches outright or renting the pews for varying periods of time. This practice died out beginning in the nineteenth century and is virtually unknown today. All pews were not rented for the same amount of money. Pews that were in better locations rented for more money and the renter could upholster and furnish his pew according to his taste. During the late medieval period some folks even installed fireplaces in their pews (which was actually a small room) to keep warm because there was no other heat in the churches at that time.
Although it might seem to be absurd to the modern mind, there were certain advantages. One was that the congregations were not harangued for money during sermons. Another was that tithing was essentially eliminated because the tithe was simply collected as a standard tax which provided privileges in sitting during a service rather than standing.
What about Churches where there are no pews, such as most Orthodox Churches?
This seems like a really strange idea considering that many if not most churches are trying to get more people to come into the church in the first place.
In the past church attendance was mandatory, especially in areas where the government had its state religion. If you were not in church then you ran afoul of the government and there were consequences. The problem was not attracting people to attend church, but finding economic means to provide room for them to attend. This was a huge problem for the Church of England in the nineteenth century.
Which unfortunately led to problems in which only the wealthier members of society were in church. One of the reasons why John Wesley went and preached at the places where the poor tended to work.
Could you provide examples of the right way to ask for tithes?
Both John Wesley and George Whitefield preached in the open air when the church authorities banned them from using the local churches, but both did preach in churches, when possible. George Whitefield was especially noted for his ability to project his voice to crowds numbering in the thousands, which no church building could accommodate. Benjamin Franklin recorded his personal impression of Whitefield when Whitefield preached in Philadelphia. Here is an article for your information - Benjamin Franklin on Rev. George Whitefield, 1739 (nationalhumanitiescenter.org)
It is something church members need to ask hard questions of the churches elders/councel etc, is she working because they cannot live on his stypend or because she wants a career?
One of the curious aspects to the church tax is a certain sense of entitlement that taxpayers had to the parsonage, so that the vicar or rector or priest was obligated to host innumerable teas, fetes, etc. in the parsonage, simply because the parishioners felt they owned it.
In the past some churches, especially in urban areas developed buildings with commercial areas which could be rented out and thus provide a stable income to support at least the maintenance of the building.
So your church isnt registered with the government as some form of organization, listing their board of directors?Church isn't a business. If a church is a business, then that church has strayed.
Consider yourself informed then. Your church is a government organization and reports back to them every year. Only they are more free to do what they desire with their earnings then a business that plainly state that their goal is to provide a service for profit.I don't know the legalese, but we're not a business.