Ted's United Pentecostal Church Experience

To whom it may concern:

I and my wife were both raised in the UPCI churches and believed it most of our life.

My wife played the organ for 35 years and took nothing for playing or was offered any thing for playing. I found out that tithes was commanded for the Jews under the law and one of the tribes were given tithes to take care of the church at that time, including all the singers, and everyone that took part in the service got part of the tithes. Today the pastor gets $200,000 in tithes and no one else get any thing. It sure is a shame unto Almighty God. I don't believe God is pleased.

In Hebrews 7:5 the priesthood have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law. In Galatians 3:10 it shows for as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse for it is written, cursed is every one that continue not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

The pastor didn't want us there anymore. And another UPCI church- I was asked why I did pay tithes. The pastor said if you can show him one scripture where tithes was under the law he would quit preaching tithes. I showed him the same verses and he said that will be quite a change. I said only if you don't live by faith; God said we live by faith and not by the law. We can't have both. Then Christ died in vain. We give from our hearts and not because it a commandment from God to the Gentiles.

I asked the question why didn't the apostles ever pay or collect any tithes- the people after they gave all and laid it at the apostles feet, then paid tithes? It sounds that in that verse there was no more tithes paid. We can't have grace and truth beside the law. People give because they love God. That is true love to give where there is a need or where there first be a willingness.

Another verse is in Acts 15:29 where Paul said if you do these 4 things you do well, without all the rules from the Old Testament or old covenant, which is not faith or grace. If the pastors would live by faith that the people will give, but he is afraid that he won't get his money- have faith in GOD. Pastors remember God wouldn't let you down, will he???? Trust in God- trust in God- he will supply your need.

It's a line from the pastors to the saints, remember??? God will supply your need, by faith. Could I be wrong? Please send me my correction. I will repent if I am wrong, but give me scripture in the New Testament for I want to please God.

Now my wife will go nowhere to church with me, for the pastor said [because I was not paying tithes] as I went to turn up the loud speaker he said over the platform, would someone who is paying tithes please turn up the speakers. I gave as much as anyone there and even paid for the cement for the whole driveway because I loved God.

How will pastors answer to God for driving out saints for the love of money? Remember the scripture says woe unto those pastors. One more thing, preach the love of God.

And teach the people that they need to get educated. My daughter was asked to get to church instead of getting her school work done. Also she was going with a man in one of the UPCI churches and found out that he was gay and they kept him playing the organ and directing the choir. The pastor blamed her for the divorce, instead of blaming the man she married. She could have received aids. The pastor's son we found out later he was gay also but he kept both of them as acting members in the church. What kind of pastors are leading the saints of God? Shame on those pastors. Christ taught love; when people learn love, you cannot stop anyone from doing good.

Thank you for the opportunity to voice my ideas.

Ted

---

Posted March 16, 2002

---