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Hi Leslie, I really appreciated your openness. Growing up in and now returning to live in Arkansas after a few career departures is certainly eye-raising with regard to church congregations.

As a Methodist minister, my dad greatly disliked the parts of his job associated with money and always emphasized the importance of all the possible different methods of giving. I have always been struck by how members of a congregation most concerned with being right are often the ones most involved in the church’s decision-making, financial or otherwise. In contrast, those involved in multiple forms of service rarely seek this power. I think Presbyterians do a pretty good with financial considerations compared to a lot of churches. The recently emerged, large-scale churches in the northwest Arkansas area where I live have started offering ‘free’ financial consultation/counseling to ensure that they get a cut of members’ income.

When I was a young paraprofessional working with severe mental illness, part of my job was taking clients to their desired church congregations. It took me about 3 times of going but one of the clients seemed to always go to a specific church when she needed money for cigarettes. It wasn’t long until I recognized her taking very small sums (no more than $5) from the offering plate. I was stunned at first and puzzled about the correct ethical response. I decided to let it go. Given how poor and distressed my client was, I characterized it as responsible giving from the church.