They turn the needy out of the way: the poor of the earth hide themselves together. Job 24:4 (PAR : Pre-Authorized Remittance) It used to be, years ago, that when people were hit with requests for money, either in a church bulletin or during the service, a part of the request included a genuine welcome to those who could not afford to tithe or put cash in the basket each week. Financially challenged people were clearly encouraged to feel welcome and that money was not a prerequisite to being a member of the congregation. That was the Christian thing to do. That was then. This is now. * Click "Read More" to continue........ Things have changed, drastically. I have seen ATM machines in the lobby of a church and I have received emails from that church reminding me that I could tithe more efficiently each Sunday by using the machines. I could fill this entire blog with examples of extreme money grabbing by an array of churches that I have visited across the country over the past few years. But one absurd plea for money, in particular, that happened just a couple of weeks ago, really illuminates my concerns. It took place in a two hundred year old United Church in Whitby, Ontario.
The minister, a warm, intelligent and gifted woman gathered the children of the congregation at the steps in front of the alter. During her talk with them, she reminded them that they would be given an offering basket and that they were to roam around the church collecting Toonies, Loonies, or, “whatever else you can shake out of them.” Yes, the minister actually said that. (For you non Canadians reading this blog, a “Loonie” is a one dollar coin; a “Toonie” is a two dollar coin.) It was set up as a speed round of collection and the kids were given baskets, and for a full five minutes, little children darted around the pews holding out offering baskets for change, or, whatever else they could shake out of someone’s pockets. I noticed at the back of the pew there was a business card that declared, in bold blue ink, that “I give by PAR.” One is supposed to drop it in the offering basket if they tithe through Pre Authorized Remittances to let fellow members know that they aren’t being cheap and simply not dropping money into the basket. What other reason could there be for this card? And that certainly is the assumption of seeing someone pass the basket without dropping some cash into it. How shameful! Beside that business card, I found a color brochure all about PAR. How to do it, how to set it up with your bank, why you should do it, how it will help, how much your money is needed and on the back there was a form to fill out to attach to your voided cheque and get the whole process going. It also had a small table showing the amounts of giving. The lowest figure on that table was ten dollars a week. I assumed the church was trying to discourage lesser donations of five or eight or nine dollars a week. Nowhere on these two pieces of money marketing materials was there a single message of welcome and acceptance and understanding to those in the church who could not afford to give. And this church is made up of a majority of seniors living on pensions. A little later the offering basket was passed and again the congregation had to dig into their pockets for cash. And then came the sermon. This is what really astounded me. The minister, during a prayer at the end of her sermon, for which she mentioned the victims of an earth quake in Afghanistan, and the Syrian refugee crisis among other things, thanked God for the gifts in the offering basket and actually thanked him for PAR. Seriously? Pre Authorized Remittances made it into a prayer to God? Again, no mention of welcome to those who cannot tithe or PAR or spare any change. But PAR made a special trip to God’s ears. I have visited this church a few times since that day. In fact, though I travel to other churches frequently, it has become my home based place of worship. And every Sunday that I attend and hear the prayer for PAR I am shocked. It has been estimated that 150,000 Christians die from persecution each year and in this church a prayer is made each week for electronic tithing. What happened to lead us down this path to such a powerful and somewhat blind focus on money? It can't be just increasing expenses. Or, is it church growth? Are we focused on building our congregations, building our churches, expanding our brick and mortar, buying newer and more expensive sound systems, grand pianos, and lighting and video equipment that rival local TV studios and concert halls? Is that why money has become so important that we seem to have forgotten the less fortunate around us? Yes, we stock a food bank in the community. Yes, we collect clothing for the homeless and provide toys for children at Christmas. Is that supposed to ameliorate our guilt for drawing a distinct line between us and those who cannot afford church these days? Next Sunday, try passing the offering basket without dropping anything into it in front of your fellow worshipers and see how it makes you feel. And then try to imagine how it would feel if it were true that you had nothing to give and that each week people see you pass the plate along and each week you suffer the indignity of being known as someone who does not give. And then try to understand why it is so important to your minister to pray for PAR and make no attempt to include those who are financially challenged - like pensioners. If your pastor, priest or minister mentions PAR in a prayer to the ears of God, well, consider it a sign of the times that needs a little Christian scrutiny…. And then say something. Yes, I did say something. I am still waiting for an answer or a change in Sunday services. Comments are closed.
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