Its mostly subtle; however, in some places it is so blatant that you’d think it’s not happening- but it is. And living in “capitalistic America” makes it even more so! Grace is said to be free and un-merited, but here are the things you must do to receive God’s grace: join the church, repent of sins, attend the orientation class, etc., etc., etc. Spencer Burke says, “Religion cannot be advanced by coercion, and wherever that tactic is attempted, it is usually rejected by all but the weakest of souls.” And there are a lot of weak souls!
Most often the coercion comes through the “legal house requirements” and “money“. Any and all churches have the right to follow whatever rules they want to add to Biblical principles. But when those rules ostracize and and put in place a religious caste system, we’re going the opposite direction Christ is.
One of the most common complaints is that churches are always begging for money! People need soft reminders from time to time, thrown in a message where it fits; however, to hammer tithes and offerings every Sunday is coercion and intimidation.
And religious crap!
People need to be taught the advantages of “heart giving“, but not told every Sunday. Can a church survive without “special music and an offering” every Sunday? Can a church survive without preaching on tithing every month? We shall see, because that’s where we are. 
If a person or family is in covenant with a local body (and I believe all should be) or home group, they WILL give freely and abundantly: without coercion.
Goodbye gold watches and manipulative “come-ons“.
God’s people (the real ones) are FREE and that freedom will reveal what’s in their hearts: the church doesn’t need to cut their chest open to take a look!
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