Most churches appreciate voluntary donations, but for this one, that’s not enough.
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A Tampa woman said her local church requires more than $1,000 in yearly donations to be a member, WFTS reports.
Candace Petterson received a letter from Greater Mount Moriah Primitive Baptist Church last week stating she was in arrears with her dues.
“To be a member in good standing and have the right to vote, adults are to contribute the minimum of $50 per month,” Petterson read to WFTS.
The letter also tells Petterson there is a $150 fee for the church’s “Mount Moriah day” and a “yearly church anniversary fee of $250,” WFTS reports.
If that wasn’t enough, even her 11-year-old child is required to pay dues.
“My child don’t have a job, I’m her parent. She’s 11 years old. Why would you charge a child $5 a month to be a member of a church?” Petterson said to WFTS.
Petterson joined Mount Moriah because it was closer to her new home and “people were really friendly there,” she said to WFTS.
The single mom said she will now look for a new church, but is concerned for other members who “might be being taken advantage of,” WFTS reports.
“It’s like you say to me, if you want to be a member of this church, you need to pay this. If you want to find God, it don’t say anything like that in the Bible,” Petterson said to WFTS.