Church Revokes 92-Year-Old Woman's Membership for Not Tithing

A 92-year-old Alabama woman will no longer be considered a member of the church she attended for over 50 years because she was not tithing. 

Local news station kctv5.com reports Josephine King had held membership at First African Baptist Church in Bainbridge for most of her life. King will now be forced to worship elsewhere after Senior Pastor Derrick Mike sent a letter revoking her membership. 

The letter read, “Josephine King is no longer considered a member of the First African Baptist Church of Bainbridge, Georgia.” 

It went on that King "has shown non-support" of the church regarding "constant and consistent financial and physical participation."

King’s nephew, Gerald Simmons, said the real reason that his aunt was cut off from the church was that she was not tithing. The “physical participation” referred to a time when King was sick for several months and considered a shut-in. 

Simmons said King was “stunned” by the church’s decision to cancel her membership. 

"You shouldn't chase the individuals down. You shouldn't do that. If that's the case, you're money hungry,” Simmons said. 

"You have to have money to make these churches run, but it's not about money. It's about God. You have to put God first."

Publication date: August 12, 2015