Question about Mennonite Churches & Tithing

[IndiaInk]

My husband & I went back to our old church (non-denominational/Charismatic) for one month because we had heard there were positive changes from the way things were. I posted something to this effect under "Christian Advice" last week. Anyhow, I believe in tithing, but my husband & I accrued a lot of debt due to sickness & my husband being out of work for 2 yrs. We're trying to get out from under. Anyhow, we want to go back to this Mennonite (very contemporary) CMC church this Sunday. What is the stand on tithing in these fellowships? Will they put a lot of pressure on us to tithe? Our former pastor said that God won't help us if we didn't tithe & sow seed offerings.

 

[ACADEMIC]

Please don't be duped by anyone's guilt-manipulation about giving. Get your financial footing first and then give however much you desire to whoever/wherever you desire.

 

[Danfrey]

I am pretty sure you will not find this type of pressure amongst Mennonites.

 

[ZiSunka]

Tithing is appreciated but not required in mennonite churches.

It tends to hardly even be mentioned.

 

[growingupinhim]

hello,
Tithing and offerings is a principle not a rule..obivous as we love the Lord we will want to support his work..and 10 percent is a great standard..
this tithe is bewtween you and the Lord however, and not your church..
The lords work is many things..
Preaching..ministering..needy..widows..the perscuted around the world..missonaries..the hungry..the naked..
peace be with you.

 

[RickH]

I can not agree with a pastor saying you must tithe. In all actuality, the church is to help those in need. Instead of demanding money from you, the church should be asking "How may we help?". Even if you are not in need of them giving you financial support, they may be able to help you by simply saying "Pay your bills, put food on the table and when you get back on your feet give what you feel you can afford and the Lord puts on your heart.
We had a family lose their barn in a fire just last summer and the church gave him a lot of money to help him replace it and some machinery. It would have been very hard on them if the church had demanded 10% of there income at that time. Instead, we all pitched in and helped them restore their lives just as Jesus would want everyone to.
I also agree with other responses here. I attended a Contemporary Mennonite church before going back to conservative, and have never heard a sermon or requirement of tithing.

 

[MrJim]

I can not agree with a pastor saying you must tithe. In all actuality, the church is to help those in need. Instead of demanding money from you, the church should be asking "How may we help?". Even if you are not in need of them giving you financial support, they may be able to help you by simply saying "Pay your bills, put food on the table and when you get back on your feet give what you feel you can afford and the Lord puts on your heart.
We had a family lose their barn in a fire just last summer and the church gave him a lot of money to help him replace it and some machinery. It would have been very hard on them if the church had demanded 10% of there income at that time. Instead, we all pitched in and helped them restore their lives just as Jesus would want everyone to.
I also agree with other responses here. I attended a Contemporary Mennonite church before going back to conservative, and have never heard a sermon or requirement of tithing.

Hi RickH, welcome to CF

I would agree with Rick and AED on the "tithing" thing...

Tithing is biblical but not Christian...chew on that one a while

 

[Danfrey]

I will add my thumbs up to Mennos statement. It is a shame that churches have lost sight of the idea that our giving is to feed the hungry and cloth the naked. We have created a monster of institutions that devour money that was intended to relieve the suffering of those around us. The prosperity teaching that is so prevalent is nothing but a lie created to coerce people into buying into supporting the system.

I know that I sound very critical in this post, but there are few subjects I am more passionate about. I pray the Mennonite churches never fall for this trap.