Kirk, formerly of the San Luis Obispo Assembly, has put up a website addressing the problem of required tithing in some evangelical churches, particularly the tactic of preaching that Christians who fail to tithe are in sin. He uses his experience with the Hydesville Community Church as an example. Kirk's website is mentioned in a local newspaper report on the Hydesville church. Kirk is no longer attending HCC, but his children are still involved.
Comments from readers:
July 3, 2007, Anonymous: "Kirk, I had an experience at a church I was involved in this past year. After the Assembly I have always felt uneasy when it comes to "tithing". I feel in my heart that money should be a personal matter. So when I chose a church I made sure that it would not be an issue. However, it was. The leadership of the church decided to pass out a questionnaire to the congregation. The questionnaire asked things like, "What do you want to see happen in this church...." I knew what was going on; they were going to turn it back on the congregation, "Well, you wrote down right here that you wanted....So how do YOU expect to see this happen?" I politely declined the questionnaire, yet it was pushed back at me. I said, "No, thanks...," but that wasn't good enough. I was publicly humiliated! GOODBYE!
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