Sounds like Saddleback is acting like a *church*. A church is made up of congregants, not just a pastor and staff. It’s good, then, for the members to all participate in the mission of the church.
This is from the Santa Ana Register comments on the articalabout our church raising $2.4m:
tater08 wrote:
Speaking from experience, this church paid our rent one month about a year ago because we were struggling and filed bankruptcy, lost our house and had to give up a vehicle. In addition, the church provided us with a donated vehicle so my husband and I could go to work. We were really hurting, and that helped us get back on our feet. This church helps people, and has helped our family.
We continue to give as members of the church. We give what we can in small increments. It is the number of people that do this that creates the large amount of money. It is our choice to donate to the church and we choose to do so, so I don’t understand anyone calling any of it a scam? The church members are educated people in a free society with free will. If we chose to donate to some other organization, such as PETA or the Girl Scouts, or a homeless shelter directly, would you call that a “scam”? Or is it because you don’t trust where it goes to? Check out the website to see where it goes, or come and visit a service if you’re curious.
I hope I’ve enlightened at least one person reading this. I’ve been going to this church since 2003, I am educated, I am a mother, I am not rich, but I am happy in who I am and what I stand for and I’m tired of this church being persecuted in every way possible. There’s nothing to hide with this church, they are open in every way, they encourage visitors, they ask donations from their own members, and still you guys point a finger. It’s ridiculous.