A Florida church sent a delinquency notice to a new member reminding her that worshipers were expected to pay $1,000 in required fees or face possible removal.

Candace Petterson said she started attending the Greater Mount Moriah Primitive Baptist Church about six months ago after moving to a new home in the Tampa area, but she received a troubling letter last week from the church, reported WFTS-TV.

The single mother said she received what amounted to a delinquency notice from her new church asking her to contribute $50 a month, along with other assorted fees, to remain a member in good standing and vote on church matters.

The predominantly black church, which has operated for more than a century, asked her to pay a yearly $250 anniversary fee and another $150 for Mount Moriah Day – amounting to $1,000, some of which would be set aside to pay off church debt.

“What church charges you to help pay off what they’re going through?” Petterson said. “I’m not there for that.”

The letter, from assistant administrator Ladreda Spencer and Pastor B.R. Fulton Jr., also reminded Petterson that children – including her 11-year-old daughter – were expected to pay $5 a month to the church in addition to two annual $15 fees.

The letter notified Petterson, who said she had been unaware of the required contributions, that members fell into delinquency if they failed to make payments for three months or more, reported the Christian Post.

“In order to not be removed from the church roll, your attention to this matter [is] greatly appreciated,” the letter warned, but offered to grant her a 90-day “hardship” exemption.

Church officials acknowledged they sent the notice to Petterson, the TV station reported, but they declined to offer additional comments or explanation.

Petterson posted a copy of the letter on the church’s Facebook page, where one church member in “good standing” scolded the younger woman for publicizing her complaint.

“I love my church and my pastor,” said member Bonnie Maxwell. “I know people have their opinions regarding the letter that was sent out to this young lady and put over social media. I don’t understand why so much negativity about paying a monthly assessment of $50 a month, that you already knew about. If you go to a club or a bar whatever you wish to call it every weekend, you are paying about $10 or maybe more to get in the door and then paying again for drinks.”

“As Christians we are required to be obedient,” Maxwell added.

Another Florida church lost its tax-exempt status earlier this year after officials in Panama City determined that it was operating as a nightclub that charged $20 “donations” to participate in raunchy themed parties.

Greater Mount Moriah Primitive Baptist Church doesn’t offer anything remotely like those activities, but tithes must be made voluntarily to remain tax deductible.

Petterson said the experience had soured her on the church, and she’s looking for another place to worship.

“It’s like you say to me, if you want to be a member of this church, you need to pay this,” she said. “If you want to find God, it don’t say anything like that in the Bible.”

Travis Gettys

Views: 111

Replies to This Discussion

$1000 to be with "Gawd" now... "Damn the Elitist heaven"...lol

RSS

"Destroying the New World Order"

TOP CONTENT THIS WEEK

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE SITE!

mobile page

12160.info/m

12160 Administrators

 

Latest Activity

Doc Vega replied to cheeki kea's discussion Would-Be Trump Assassin Ryan Routh Gave Many Interviews with Mainstream Media
"This asshole had an incredible number of overseas connections and incoming money from unnamed…"
yesterday
rlionhearted_3 posted photos
yesterday
cheeki kea replied to cheeki kea's discussion Tartaria
"It's been interesting reading the comments from the Hungarian Tartaria fans on social media…"
Tuesday
Burbia's blog post was featured

James Comey appears to call for the assassination of President Trump

I'm sure these are the kind of shells Comey is implying here. …See More
Tuesday
tjdavis's blog post was featured
Tuesday
cheeki kea's 2 blog posts were featured
Tuesday
Doc Vega's 5 blog posts were featured
Tuesday
Less Prone commented on Doc Vega's blog post Memorial Weekend Getaway Horror Story
"A nice story"
Tuesday
Less Prone favorited Doc Vega's blog post Memorial Weekend Getaway Horror Story
Tuesday
Doc Vega posted a blog post

Memorial Weekend Getaway Horror Story

The wife and I had been trying to find some vacation time together for weeks when finally Memorial…See More
Monday
cheeki kea commented on cheeki kea's photo
Sunday
cheeki kea posted a photo
Sunday
tjdavis posted a video
Sunday
Doc Vega commented on Burbia's blog post James Comey appears to call for the assassination of President Trump
"Goes to show what ruthless bastards we have in the federal government!"
Saturday
Doc Vega favorited Burbia's blog post James Comey appears to call for the assassination of President Trump
Saturday
Doc Vega posted a blog post

Memorial Day Special: The Battle of the Coral Sea and its Incredible Impact

 When we re-examine major events in history sometimes truly significant occurrences can be…See More
May 23
cheeki kea posted a video

Trump Just Wrecked South Africa...

President Trump just met the president of South Africa, and the discussion quickly turned to the refugee crisis taking place in that country, and what the So...
May 23
cheeki kea commented on Burbia's photo
Thumbnail

What's in Macron's hand? Cocaine bag?

"I think folks need to watch the vid and make up their own minds about the question. It's not…"
May 22
cheeki kea posted a photo
May 22
Doc Vega posted a blog post

The Vampires of Washington DC

 There are many forms of vampire from the supposedly mythical humanoid form to the actual bat that…See More
May 21

© 2025   Created by truth.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

content and site copyright 12160.info 2007-2019 - all rights reserved. unless otherwise noted