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At Church, an 'ATM for Jesus' »

Posted by: TimALoftis 1 year, 11 months ago
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Pastor Marty Baker's 'Giving Kiosks' are catching on. Members say they use credit cards for everything else -- why not tithing?

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Comments: 19
  • Avg rating: (+1/-2 -1)ekklesiawarrior
    ekklesiawarrior
    Sept. 28, 2006, 1:41 p.m.

    Well about time!

    We were among the first to use Credit Card Machine for donations, back in the 1970's. From our viewpoint so many would come without much cash, but some wanted to help. Too we were tired of cheques / checks written to the charity, then only to bounce.

    The ATM there spares the church of ever increasing bank charges to process Master, Visa, Discover etc.

    *Postscript - we stopped taking credit card donations as via internet folk can do direct transfer by wire. Have the "times' changed.

    • Avg rating: (+4/-3 1)Eagle_Eye
      Eagle_Eye
      Sept. 28, 2006, 2:04 p.m.

      I don't know if I agree with this, at some point I think the churchs focus to much on the bottom line instead of letting God take care of it.

      • Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)kingofthecounty
        kingofthecounty
        Sept. 28, 2006, 2:55 p.m.

        I should start a church. It's pure profit! And no taxes!

        The funny part of this story is the part about their "for profit" business. Hmmm...wouldn't that money be better spent on the 3 milllion dollar buiding?

        This sounds like one of those preachers that will "take the money and run".

        • Avg rating: (+5/-0 5)Neophile
          Neophile
          Sept. 28, 2006, 3:05 p.m.

          What does the Bible say about a Christian going into debt?

          http://www.gotquestions.org/money-debt.html

          • Avg rating: (+7/-2 5)ekklesiawarrior
            ekklesiawarrior
            Sept. 28, 2006, 5:32 p.m.

            "What does the Bible say about a Christian going into debt?"

            Good question and why today prefer cash by direct deposit or wire.

            In the 1970's was not so much 'credit card' debt.

            The ATM or at least most take only the bank card, debit out of your cash account.

            AS FOR MOCKING REMARKS MADE,

            the funds we ever collected were used for good work not for fancy edifice or a private jet.

            At least this Warrior never got rich from offerings.

            We stayed in places so poor most Americans have never been.

            Am retirement age now, so not as much travel and

            ' globe hoping ' as in the 1960's - 1980's '

            Not all in religious charity work are con artists.

            Just as not all U.S. Military persons are rapists and torturers.

            There are bad apples in every grove.

            • Avg rating: (+5/-0 5)dr-don-from-denver
              dr-don-from-denver
              Sept. 28, 2006, 5:36 p.m.

              Ladies and gentlemen -- the money lenders have officially returned to the temple!!!

              • Avg rating: (+6/-0 6)jaxguy
                jaxguy
                Sept. 28, 2006, 6:35 p.m.

                I can't believe they are letting Tammy Faye, I mean Marty Baker get away with this? Give me your money, I will tell you many secrets.

                • Avg rating: (+4/-3 1)david_nwpa
                  david_nwpa
                  Sept. 28, 2006, 7:29 p.m.

                  I am reminded of a Phil Collins song..."Jesus, He knows me..."

                  "See that man on the billboard, well that face is me."

                  "Just call my toll free number."

                  "You don't have to get out of your chair, you don't have to touch that dial, cause I am everywhere."

                  At what point do churches put the money aside and get back to focusing on matters of faith. Apparently running a church means running a business. I just hope these places are not fleecing their flocks.

                  • Avg rating: (+3/-0 3)zonkra
                    zonkra
                    Sept. 28, 2006, 8:27 p.m.

                    Supply-Side Jesus sez: "In, in, thou den of thieves! Thou shalt profit handsomely in my Father's house, and give me my cut! Blessed are the rich, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven! Cursed are thos who hunger and thirst for justice, because money talks and bulls**t walks!" (Book of Profits 3:13)

                    • Avg rating: (+6/-1 5)zonkra
                      zonkra
                      Sept. 28, 2006, 8:34 p.m.

                      There once was a "pastor" named Baker

                      an unabashed "Christian" faker

                      even his perversion of the Lord

                      and the gospels he ignored

                      couldn't get his cash past the undertaker!

                      • Avg rating: (+4/-0 4)abntv
                        abntv
                        Sept. 28, 2006, 8:37 p.m.

                        I think we are going to have to chase zonkra all over netscape to get an answer

                        • Avg rating: (+6/-1 5)abntv
                          abntv
                          Sept. 28, 2006, 8:45 p.m.

                          Hellloooo zonkra....

                          • Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)markjseydel
                            markjseydel
                            Sept. 29, 2006, 12:24 a.m.

                            LOL

                            • Avg rating: (+11/-0 11)anarchy
                              anarchy
                              Sept. 29, 2006, 12:38 a.m.

                              I believe they do Paypal also.

                              • Avg rating: (+4/-1 3)leahann
                                leahann
                                Sept. 29, 2006, 9:16 a.m.

                                When Jesus materializes and goes to work for me so i can sit home all day, I will gladly tithe.

                                By the way, wasn't one of the seven deadly sins "greed"?

                                BAAA BAAAAA take my money

                                • Avg rating: (+2/-3 -1)glovesareoff
                                  glovesareoff
                                  Sept. 29, 2006, 11:16 a.m.

                                  What a great idea. Now our pastors and preachers will be able to easily obtain cash for hookers, drugs, and beer.

                                  • Avg rating: (+4/-0 4)MrJoe
                                    MrJoe
                                    Dec. 11, 2006, 11:26 a.m.

                                    Before you get too paranoid about where tithing and offerings go, as long as your church abides with tax law and keeps you informed, they should be ok. My church believes in tithing, but our finances are reviewed by CPAs fairly consistantly to make sure our leadership is doing ok. Tithers get a report on church spending around tax time which includes pastors salaries (believe me, our pastors arent getting rich off of salaries).

                                    As a result of having tithers and volunteers in the church, we run a food pantry/general help for those not on their feet, prison ministry, international missions, youth program (other churches even come around for our events) for preschool, secondary, teens, & 20somethings, bible classes, theater group which does outreach plays every few months (many conversions every play), counseling, and the list goes on. We were listed on wallstreet journal on the top 10 influential churches in America.

                                    Just saying tithing can be good. Feel free to message me.

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