Quote:
... so I don't feel so bad when I don't have a little extra to offer.
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This was a real wake up call! Tithing
is biblical (
mandatory). 10% in the Old Testament, “in keeping with income,” 1Cor 16:2, in the New Testament. DISCLAIMER: I'm not saying that the person who said this isn't tithing, or somehow is sinning, I'm just saying that this is a very wordly, unbiblical message that I hope isn't the majority feelings in the church these days.
As mentioned earlier, First Assembly may be what you are looking for. It is A/G, but it is very diverse, and very straight from the bible.
The pastor doesn't dance around the issue(s). He presents them, shows you where it is in the Bible, and doesn't try to be PC. He is open, upfront, and honest. He was a Baptist pastor until he encountered the Holy Spirit, which at that time got him removed from the Baptist churches, lol
The pastor has a radio program on 1030 AM at 10:30 AM
Give it a listen if you can. If not, you can hear his sermons on-line.
I don't want to mention names, but I've been to one of the above non-denominal churches above and here was the problem. They had a line they didn't want to cross. They openly invited everyone in... and would teach the "PC" things that wouldn't offend others.
Well... the Bible isn't PC. It does offend non-believers. It isn't a set of recommendations. It is the way a true Christian should live. Granted, none of us are perfect, and do sin. However, to only preach the "PC" parts of the Bible, and leave other parts out so that you don't offend or ostricize anyone... at that point you aren't doing any good and may fall into that lukewarm christianity, which Jesus will "spit out."
I know there may be some good non-denominational churches out there, but from the 3-4 in the area Raleigh-Durham area I visited (1 I even joined for a few years), prior to finding First Assembly, I can tell you that non-denominal churches are usually such so that they can preach what they want, and leave out the parts that some may not want to hear about.
Also, so I don't get blasted, the services the OP listed about multiple tithing sessions etc is crazy. I wouldn't have gone back either. And I'm not saying all non-denomical churches are bad. I'm just stating my opinion based on the few in the area I have been too.