In this episode of The Dark Side of Devotion, we open up about one of the most pressing and painful aspects of our time in the church—the finances. From being devoted members who genuinely believed in the pastor’s words and eagerly took on financial commitments, to becoming assistants who were expected to fund church responsibilities out of our own pockets, and finally, to seeing the full picture behind the scenes as a pastor and wife, we witnessed firsthand the financial coercion, manipulation, and undue pressure placed on members.

We discuss how campaigns, tithes, and offerings were presented as acts of faith—yet behind closed doors, the church’s hyper-fixation on money was undeniable. We share our experiences of counseling people who were financially struggling, only to be placed in the uncomfortable position of asking them for more. We also talk about the chaos of counting and reporting money during the Campaign of Israel, and how the urgency and pressure from leadership made it clear where the institution’s priorities truly lay.

We are sharing our personal experiences and perspectives in this episode, and our intention is to bring awareness to the financial expectations placed upon members of high-control religious organizations.

⚠️ Disclaimer: The views and experiences shared in this episode are solely our own. We are speaking from our personal time in the church and do not claim to represent all churches or individuals. Our goal is to share our journey and bring awareness to the realities we encountered. This episode is intended for discussion and informational purposes only.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments. Have you ever felt pressured to give beyond your means in a religious setting?

Listen now and join the conversation. 🗣🎙️

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