Passing the Plate

Passing the plate for offering is not visitor friendly. I have family members who believe the Church is in business to make money- that is why the Church passes the plate. When I explain to my family they do not need to give to the offering, they still feel pressured to put something in when the plate is passed to them. Although the speaker gives a disclaimer that it is not necessary for visitors to give, my family still feels obliged to put in money under these circumstances.

Although giving to the Church is a sacrament and a responsibility for all Christians, does it need to be done publicly? Perhaps it would be better for Christians to give in secret?

"When you give to the poor, don't let anyone know about it. Then your gift will be given in secret. Your Father knows what is done in secret, and he will reward you." (Matthew 6:3-4)

An alternative is to give members a way to tithe by placing offering plates in the back of the church, or by letting members mail in their offerings. People already motivated to give will find a way to present their offering without a plate being passed to them in their seat on Sunday morning. Think customer service; don’t scare away your customers (visitors) by being inflexible.