At The Crossing church it's a little different: you are giving to God! You are told repeatedly that God needs 10% (minimum) back and if you give this you'll be blessed! You can visibly see that a multi-million dollar building is being built but the premise is this: bigger church - more people can fit - so more people get saved by Jesus. They say they are now being transparent with finances and I'll admit I haven't seen this yet.
I did see this: These were all the dates Kelly traveled this year. WOW!
1/25-1/28 - Alabama (funeral / family)
2/2 - St. Louis
2/12-2/16 - C3 - Dallas (conference)
3/18 - Haiti
3/19 - Miami (flying back from Haiti)
4/1 - IA (Easter with family)
5/16 - Seattle (conference)
5/28 - 6/13 - Extended Vacation
9/9 - Houston (Joel Osteen)
10/1 - Staff Retreat
10/17 - Brainerd
11/11-11/17 - Nashville (conference)
11/28 - IA (Thanksgiving with family)
12/2 - 12/6 - Liberty Church / PA, Ohio, Niagara Falls (9 state road trip)
12/25 - Off on another plane (assuming for Christmas with family)
Whether for a conference or family vacation that's a lot of money spent traveling. Tithe money. The Dykstra's are of course free to allocate their salaries in any way they choose. But I have to ask; how much was paid for by the church?
While pondering this I looked up my Paypay account to see my giving history to The Crossing. The attached picture is only two months worth of giving. Looking back I can see how they used manipulation and fear to persuade me, and so many others, to give. I gave as if I was paying off a mob boss (God). I never expected blessings - I was just looking for less pain - maybe some protection.
I sacrificed to give this much. This was WAY above 10%, this was savings, this was grocery money. I'm left to wonder how much went to a vacation, shoes or dining out. I can't lie about this; I'm seething just thinking about it.
