The national lockdown extension due to the COVID-19 pandemic has made various charismatic churches think outside of the box when it comes to tithes and offerings from its members.
Churches such as Rhema Bible Church and the Covenant Fellowship Church International are to follow in the footsteps of well known Bishop Shepherd Bushiri, who two weeks ago came under fire for his request for tithe and offerings from his Enlightened Christian Gathering Church members.
The Rhema Bible Church in the North of Joburg, lead by pastor Ray McCauley, has released a video requesting church members to continue with their tithe contribution by sending offerings to the church bank account.
McCauley emphasized that he has never begged for money on TV and would never do so.
“Right now the address and the message that you need to plant a seed into the ministry, the television ministry. To be able still to be a blessing to all the children that we help, to pay the bills that we need to pay.
“Now, I’ve never ever begged for money on tv and never will. I will never manipulate you to give. But I do know this that I am talking to people that are givers in life.
Please continue to tithe, you can send the tithe to the address on the screen,” said McCauley. The church had not responded to calls and emails sent at the time of publication.
Meanwhile, in Durban, Covenant Fellowship Church International has openly done the same and requested offers from followers during this COVID-19 lockdown period.
Apostle Collins Dlomo in a live broadcast made a humble plea for members to make offerings online.
For Prophet Bushiri his request for tithes and offerings from his followers during the coronavirus crisis continues to cause an uproar on social media.
During a televised address Bushiri, asked members to send their tithes and offerings via EFT.
“Don’t listen to the devil, don’t listen to other people, don’t listen to what your mind says. Listen to what God says. Give your tithe, bring your tithe, give your offering, give your seed and God will bless,” he said.
On Easter Sunday, he said “in ECG on Sundays we give our tithes with our without coronavirus… we are still collecting offerings at ECG because this is what we believe in”.
