Bishop, I'm not talking about the Man of God, but I'm saying I think pastor's must understand that times are hard and if they expect the members to tithe they, in return,

Greed on the pulpit! Letters to the bishop …

Bishop Moultry:

After reading last week's letter to you in regards to that Pastor's Anniversary and the church calling the married couple for more money I just had to write you bishop and hope you get my letter.

I'm seventy-nine years old and I'm from the South. Back in my day the minister had a second job because we all was so poor, we could not pay for a minister. I remember back in those days my mother, father and others from the farms would get all kinds of food grown out of the garden for the minister and his family to eat. Because the minister was not getting paid, yet working so hard with the church, we had an anniversary for him once a year and collected money for him and his family.

But now bishop, things have changed as pastors are now getting paid a big salary, health insurance benefits, a car not only for him as pastor but first lady as well and the list is endless and now many pastors do less work for the church and still the church wants to give the pastor an anniversary. WHY? I think each time he receives his weekly paycheck that's enough. Yes, there is "GREED" on the pulpit and the biggest fools are the struggling members just trying to meet their own basic needs.

I think pastors should have an ANNIVERSARY by giving the members a love offering for taking care of him, his wife and family all year long.

Bishop Moultry:

The only time my church called me was when they have not received my tithes. I was laid off my job six months ago and was so depressed that I called my church to set up a counseling session with the pastor. His secretary said to me, "How you going to ask for a session with the pastor and you have not given your tithes in months?" Bishop, I'm now working and at a different church giving more than my tithes. I never returned back to that church. Bishop, I know it all belongs to the Lord and the Minister and church bills must be paid, but like someone said, "Enough is Enough," we the members have bills as well and don't have help like these pastors have many members giving. I should have been able to meet with my pastor in those hard times, yet his secretary blocked me from getting to him and I'm sure he knows she does this. Yes, it's greed on the pulpit big time Bishop.

Bishop:

I'm e-mailing you to say just yesterday I went to church to feel good and yet left church feeling so bad. The pastor yelled at all those in attendance in regards to the tithes and offerings being so low for the month of October. Bishop, I felt like an eight grader the way he talked to me. But the older lady sitting behind me said – and we heard her, "that suit he's wearing was over one thousand dollars and that car he's driving, is a 2012 sitting in the church parking lot. My pastor’s wife brags about all the stuff he buys for him and his family.

Bishop, I'm not talking about the Man of God, but I'm saying I think pastor's must understand that times are hard and if they expect the members to tithe they, in return, will have to come back down to earth, as well and stop living so high and mighty. Yes, I know tithing is giving God what's DUE, not what's left, but when I tithe, give in the general offering, give for the different anniversaries, I have nothing left.

Bishop:

At my church they have so many anniversaries that I have stopped going to church completely. The last anniversary they had was Men's Day and there are no men even in the church. The pastor is female, all the members are angry women and all they do is have anniversaries to take care of the pastor.

The churches have become like the court system bishop, in the business of making money. Sad but true!

You can e-mail Bishop Moultry at bishopspeaks@aol.com. Write him at the church 969 E. 140th St, Cleveland Ohio 44110 or call the church (216) 761-7100. Visit the bishop on facebook under Bishop Prince J. Moultry and join them each Sunday for Praise Service 11AM at the above address off St. Clair Ave.