Posted on 02/12/2015 6:21:37 AM PST by Gamecock
When David Lee Richardson wrote a book that essentially implied tithing is a rip-off, I guess he didn’t think the consequences all the way through. Especially since the church he held a leadership position in, was none other than the Dallas, Texas mega-church, The Potter’s House, founded by public figure Bishop T.D. Jakes. Now, after being stripped of his title and told that he and his family are no longer welcome at the church, Richardson has filed a lawsuit.
The church has a congregational attendance rate of 17,000 and is home to familiar names like Sheryl Brady, Joby Brady, and Mark Jeffries.
Richardson’s book, “Sunday Morning Stickup: What Your Pastor Doesn’t Want You To Know About Tithes,” – yep, that’s the title, is a self-published work.
Richardson took to Collin County Court on Jan. 27 in order to sue The Potter’s House. He claims that his book, published in March of 2013, made no specific references to The Potter’s House or any of the church officials.
Richardson, who says he held a position of leadership at the church and primarily attended the north campus in Parker, says he was summoned to a meeting with two of the church pastors after posting the cover of his manuscript on his Facebook page.
“Plaintiff was advised that he was being asked to resign as a leader in the church and was officially stripped of his ordination license which he held for more than 20 years,” the court complaint stated.
“Defendant Pastor Brady expressed to plaintiff that she had no respect for him due to him writing the book. She went on to express that she makes no promises that she would read the book and she also expressed that leadership’s decision was based on the cover.
“Plaintiff was advised that defendant, Sheryl Brady, had spoken with T.D. Jakes prior to the meeting and was asked if she could strip plaintiff of his license and T.D. Jakes told her ‘yes.’”
Though Richardson’s membership to The Potter’s House was not revoked, he was not allowed to hold a leadership position, and could only attend under certain conditions.
“Jeffries told plaintiff that if plaintiff continued to attend church at The Potter’s House North, plaintiff would have to sit in the back if plaintiff sat in the middle section of the sanctuary,” the complaint stated. “Jeffries also pointed out a pillar to plaintiff and let plaintiff know that if plaintiff sat on the right side of the sanctuary, plaintiff would have to sit ten rows behind the indicated pillar.”
Richardson claims that on one occasion, on Jan. 27, 2013, he and his children were physically escorted out of the service by four police officers. The incident was a source of embarrassment and grief for him and his children.
“Once outside, plaintiff was told that earlier in the week the decision had been made to revoke his membership and he was no longer welcome at the church and if he returned he would be arrested for criminal trespass,” the document read.
Richardson is seeking punitive damages for negligence, conspiracy, aiding and abetting, assault, battery, defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
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While I feel for this Pastor I don’t think he has much of a legal case unless he has a written employment contract and can point to a specific breach.
The lawsuit doesn’t have a prayer. He can find another church. If he started his own (with no tithing), he might peel away critical mass from the megachurch to sustain himself.
As opposed to TAXES, which are completely voluntary, I suppose
The book is available on amazon and comments on the book are there.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1432791648/?tag=mh0b-20&hvadid=3488033991&ref=pd_sl_87ul7fwomi_p
Personally I have heard many sermons on the responsibility of church members to give. But I have NEVER heard a sermon on the responsibility of church leaders in receiving..............
It has merit if the church is willing to settle out of court to avoid embarrassment.
I tell people that tithing is an old testament thing. The woman that gave a penny was the new testament example. She gave all she had. Some give significantly less. But the concept of tithing is OT. It’s mentioned once in the new testament and not in a particularly positive way.
The principle of tithing is “God wants your money so give it to me”.
Interesting that those that bought this book also tended to by this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Black-Church-Inc-Rev-Sharpton/dp/B00LH6MKAY/ref=pd_cp_b_0
Can you believe good old Al Sharpton wrote a book condemning what he practices?
The principle of tithing is “God wants your money so give it to me”.
He doesn't have any case. SCOTUS made it quite clear in the Hosanna Tabor case that churches and church organizations can make employment decisions concerning their leadership on any grounds they choose, even if those grounds could would be a violation of employment and non-discrimination law in other settings. The government just cannot get into the business of determining who can be a minister in a church.
In this case an employee of the church made public statements through his book that apparently contradicted or called into question the teachings of the church which employed him. That certainly seems to be sufficient grounds for termination.
As far as expelling him from the church, any church has the right to determine who may be a member. There is a right to worship as you choose in this country, but there is no right to attend a specific church even over the objections of that church...
Tithing is the secret of my success. “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” Malachi 3:10. The LORD keeps His promises. Without tithing, I’d be a pauper. Now I can tag along on His coat tails as He gives Full Measure, Pressed Down, OVERFLOWING. Try it.
It compares pastors who are seen as activists such as Rev. Taharka Robinson, Rev. Al Sharpton and Pastor Raphael Warnock with pastors who are criticized for being celebrity brands such as Rev. Eddie Long, Rev. Creflo Dollar and Rev. T.D. Jakes.
” but there is no right to attend a specific church even over the objections of that church... “
Not true. You cannot, for example, toss out a member for being black. You probably can’t toss one out now for being gay.
He doesn’t have any case.
You make it sound like you bribed God to bless you. Even worse, you paid the church to get God to bless you.
Ban on bestiality is totally an OT thing. It is not mentioned once in the NT.
You are not a Christian, are you? Not saying that to be mean, but your comment indicates a lack of familiarity with Scripture, particularly the teachings of Jesus on the topic of money. Jesus talked a lot about the subject: sowing and reaping, stewardship, not letting material possessions become so important that they control your life, etc..
God doesn't want your money, He wants your heart. Many Christians will spend more at Starbucks each month than they will give at church. They will spend hundreds and thousands of dollars for tickets to pro football games or basketball games, etc., but will not give a couple of hundred dollars a year to help feed the hungry. A Christian's attitude about giving reveals a lot about the condition of his heart.
If your heart is right with God, then no one will need to persuade you to give to support the ministry, you will do so out of love for Him and out of willing obedience to His Word. If you love money more than Him, no amount of persuasion by man will convince you to give. And if you give out of obligation or guilt, you may as well keep your money, because God sees the heart.
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