Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, July 31, 1995 TAG: 9507310105
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Medium
Almost 200 people, about one-fourth of the members of Noble Street Baptist Church, received a form letter last month warning them they would lose their membership if they did not make good on pledges.
``If there is no response from you by July 30, 1995, we will understand that you wish not to be a member of Noble Street Baptist Church,'' the letter said. ``If you have found another church home, we certainly want to wish you well.''
Members deleted from the church rolls still are allowed to worship at the church, but they cannot vote at church meetings. If they want to have a wedding or funeral in the church, they must pay to rent it.
``In the New Testament, Jesus talked more about money than he talked about salvation,'' said the pastor, the Rev. Ronnie T. Northam Sr. ``What does that say to me? When you get to the point in your life where you can give to him, then you are willing to follow him.''
Both Northam and Delbert C. Smith, the chairman of the deacon board, acknowledge the church is in good financial shape.
The letter stemmed from an April change in church bylaws that shortened from five to two years the maximum time members could be behind in their donations. About 160 members voted in favor of the change, Northam and Smith said.
People who can't afford to pay what is owed get a clean slate by talking to a deacon about their problems, Northam said. ``Say, `Brother deacon, I can't meet my financial obligation and I want to be forgiven,''' he said.
At least one family, long-standing members of the church, aren't asking for forgiveness. Instead, they are looking for a new place to worship.
``It's like you have a credit card or something,'' said Kathy Chambliss, a 32-year-old secretary who has attended the church for 16 years. ``I'm so glad God is not that way.''
by CNB