General Conference Registration Fee News

[SDG]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

Is this somehow different than when saints feel money isn't being spent properly in their church and choose to leave?

Usually this is viewed as rebellion, which is akin to witchcraft.

[ManOfWord]

Originally Posted by Just a Shepherd

Oh yeah, our money is part of it. Between national dues, district dues, sectional dues, SoC, M.M., SFC, Media Missions, Pentecostal Herald, PPH and FM, we are always writing checks. If fact I received two envelopes from HQ today - both wanting money.

Originally Posted by BoredOutOfMyMind

You missed a few- Christmas For Christ. and Ladies Ministries- did they send you envelopes?

Hmmmmm.....it's all coming back......I remember sending all that money in. Let's see.............what I don't remember is between all of the department offerings, dues, District tithes etc.......................what I got out of that.


Oh wait.....I remember now, it was the good feeling I was told that I would get as a result of it. Maybe some have forgotten that "good" feeling.

[rrford]

Originally Posted by ManOfWord

Hmmmmm.....it's all coming back......I remember sending all that money in. Let's see.............what I don't remember is between all of the department offerings, dues, District tithes etc.......................what I got out of that.


Oh wait.....I remember now, it was the good feeling I was told that I would get as a result of it. Maybe some have forgotten that "good" feeling.

Maybe some do not look for a "good feeling" out of what they give to the kingdom. I tend to give and let it go. That is what I teach people they should do on a local church setting and try to practice it myself.

I think we also need to remember that much of what some refer to as "giving" they are making sound as if they were obligated to give. Truth be known, all that is "required" are the dues.

[ManOfWord]

Originally Posted by rrford

Maybe some do not look for a "good feeling" out of what they give to the kingdom. I tend to give and let it go. That is what I teach people they should do on a local church setting and try to practice it myself.

I think we also need to remember that much of what some refer to as "giving" they are making sound as if they were obligated to give. Truth be known, all that is "required" are the dues.

And the District tithes.

I tend to agree with you for the most part about giving and that is how I give as well. However, I do distinctly remember the "pressure" to give to EVERYTHING and the guilt trips that were used in coercion over and over. I doubt if I'm the only who remembers that. While pastoring a small church, it seemed that the requests were never ending.

The answer to all of the financial problems are in numbers. The less people get saved the more the funds are needed from the existing constituency to keep going what is going. Hence, the "taxes" going up, up, up.

[rrford]

Originally Posted by ManOfWord

And the District tithes.

I tend to agree with you for the most part about giving and that is how I give as well. However, I do distinctly remember the "pressure" to give to EVERYTHING and the guilt trips that were used in coercion over and over. I doubt if I'm the only who remembers that. While pastoring a small church, it seemed that the requests were never ending.

The answer to all of the financial problems are in numbers. The less people get saved the more the funds are needed from the existing constituency to keep going what is going. Hence, the "taxes" going up, up, up.

Oh, I forgot. You are one of those who do not believe the UPCI is adding to its membership.

As for the "pressure" to give, etc. If you gave in to that then you should have re-examined your motivations. JMO.

[ManOfWord]

Originally Posted by rrford

Oh, I forgot. You are one of those who do not believe the UPCI is adding to its membership.

No, I don't believe they are adding to their membership in the U.S.

Originally Posted by rrford

As for the "pressure" to give, etc. If you gave in to that then you should have re-examined your motivations. JMO.

When you are taught by your peers that is what you are supposed to do and pressured by your peers to do so, what you propose is much easier to say than to do. Your acceptance and many times reward of those same peers depends upon it.

[Just a Shepherd]

Originally Posted by rrford

Maybe some do not look for a "good feeling" out of what they give to the kingdom. I tend to give and let it go. That is what I teach people they should do on a local church setting and try to practice it myself.

I think we also need to remember that much of what some refer to as "giving" they are making sound as if they were obligated to give. Truth be known, all that is "required" are the dues.

That is if you want to become persona non grata in your section/district. The amount of money you give influences everything from your likelyhood of holding a position to whether you receive information/invitations to/about certain functions.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by ManOfWord

No, I don't believe they are adding to their membership in the U.S.



When you are taught by your peers that is what you are supposed to do and pressured by your peers to do so, what you propose is much easier to say than to do. Your acceptance and many times reward of those same peers depends upon it.

Many churches are simply holding steady on numbers, but the assembly I am a part of has doubled in size in the last decade.

I find it had to believe there is no groweth in membership - what do you base this on MOW?

[Nahum]

Originally Posted by Just a Shepherd

That is if you want to become persona non grata in your section/district. The amount of money you give influences everything from your likelyhood of holding a position to whether you receive information/invitations to/about certain functions.

This is absolutely true.

Good post.

[QueenEsther]

Originally Posted by Just a Shepherd

That is if you want to become persona non grata in your section/district. The amount of money you give influences everything from your likelyhood of holding a position to whether you receive information/invitations to/about certain functions.

I see nothing wrong with this to a certain degree - if someone is supporting you greatly then you want them to know you are thankful and you want to keep them happy so that they will continue to support you. However, it should be done discreetly and you should NEVER make the "smaller people" feel left out or unappreciated. I think you should show your appreciation in private towards each individual. It really shouldn't affect the position you hold though that is where it gets a little off track in my opinion.