For the last few months I have been visiting a church that really enjoy, the Pastor is knowledgeable, the people are friendly and the outreach programs are worth the time. But there is one thing that has me looking through my “third eye” and that is the new program the church has started to help them become debt free.

Now before I give my personal opinion, I want to make something perfectly clear. I am all for giving, in fact scripture emphatically encourages giving. Scripture also indicates that our giving should be from the heart, not to be boasted about but to simply honor God. This is where I am having the problem. The church that I am visiting has been on this campaign to help them reduce millions of dollars in debt. I realize that it is important to pay bills and to provide an adequate place to have worship but to force the members into a guilt trip to help reduce debt in my opinion is wrong.

During Sunday morning service the pastor mentioned a family that came to him that wanted to make a “commitment” of 250K! Not to mention that instead of just doing it, they figured it would be better to broadcast it. I am not sure how much money this family has, or how they give in other directions but a 250K commitment to the church could be used (in my opinion) to help a lot of people. Remember this is not a tithe or an offering, which would go to help church operations. This commitment was intended to help the church get out of debt and had no other purpose. 

When I look at situations like this I realize that the practical principles of Christian living remain tainted. The people of the church had nothing to do with the board of directors making the decision to over extend the church but they want the people of the church (including new members such as myself) to bail the church out. This is wrong and I think the focus of this church is wrong. Mega churches are all the rage and it seems like the majority want to belong to one; but at what cost. Once again I like the church and all they are doing but running a “guilt trip” debt free campaign on the people has me thinking twice about making this church my settling place.