Methodist Church does not require tithing for funerals – Prof Asante

Correspondence from Ashanti Region

The former Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana and former Peace Council Chairman Most Rev Prof Emmanuel Asante, has strongly debunked claims that tithing has replaced welfare contributions or that it is a mandatory requirement for members to receive pastoral care and funeral rites.

Addressing a recent public perception sparked by a viral video statement from a woman alleging that the church denies help to non-tithers, the revered Methodist clergyman clarified that the church’s mission is built on voluntary giving and worship, not on coercion or legalistic discipline.

"It is never the policy of the Methodist Church that if you have not paid your tithe, you must be disciplined. I have personally buried people who never contributed a pesewa to the church, and I will continue to do so. On what basis is she saying the church won’t help you if you don't tithe?"

He further disclosed that there is no part of the church where people are being catered for in times of trouble due to their tithe contributions.

The man of God provided a historical perspective on how the church’s massive infrastructure was developed.

He reminded the public that the great Methodist Cathedrals in Cape Coast, Accra, and Kumasi, as well as renowned educational institutions and hospitals, were built primarily through dues and member contributions long before tithing was popularized in the 1980s.

"Money didn’t drop from heaven. It was the contributions of individual members that built Mfantsipim, Wesley Girls’ High School, and our various hospitals. People give because they believe they will be blessed, and they testify to that, but we don't force anyone." He revealed.

Using a practical example, the clergyman addressed the heart of Christian giving.

He cited an instance where a member earning GH¢5,000 might choose to give GH¢1,000 (more than 10%) as a general offering rather than labeling it as a 'tithe.'

"Is the Lord going to be angry with such a person? No. Giving is an aspect of worship. Our hymn says, 'Seven whole days, and not one in seven, I will praise Thee.' This means for a Christian, giving is an act of gratitude for what the Lord has done, and nobody forces anyone to give beyond their ability," he explained.

While acknowledging that the woman who made the viral allegations might have faced personal difficulties, the man cautioned against using one person’s negative experience to condemn the entire institution.

"I allow her the room to express herself, but it is wrong to generalize and condemn the Methodist Church. The church is bigger than one person’s statement," he said.

The revered man of God said this in an interview with GhanaWeb's Ashanti Regional Correspondent Nana Peprah during the 65th annual synod conference held in Kumasi -Atonsu by the Kumasi Diocese of the Methodist Church.

His comment was in reaction to a recent circulating video making social media headlines. In the said video, a woman is seen attacking a Methodist minister on tithe.

In a part of the video she said something which suggested that the church had cancelled welfare contributions and replaced the supposed benefits of welfare by an amount of tithe contributions.

But reacting to such claims, the Most Rev Prof Emmanuel Asante said, there is no where in the church a welfare benefit has been replaced with tithe contributions adding that the church doesn't force anyone on any contribution- being it tithe or welfare.

Meanwhile, the church has reaffirmed that its welfare systems remain intact and are designed to support all members in times of need, emphasizing that spiritual and social support are fundamental rights within the Methodist fold, regardless of a member's tithing record.