Sunyani Church Member Calls Pastor, Elders “Thieves” Over Tithe Policy, Sparks Debate on Welfare Support

A female member of the Wesley Cathedral Methodist Church in Sunyani has sparked widespread debate after openly calling her pastor and church elders “thieves” during a disagreement over tithe payments and welfare policies.

The confrontation reportedly began after the pastor stated during a service that, according to biblical teachings, anyone who does not pay tithe is considered an armed robber.

In response, the woman argued that if that interpretation is applied to members, then the same description should apply to the pastor and church elders as well.

Concerns Over Welfare Support

The member, who has not been publicly named, raised concerns about what she described as a church practice where financial support during funerals or personal emergencies is allegedly denied to members who do not pay tithe, including cases involving the death of close relatives.

“I work and I can afford to pay a huge tithe, but I won’t. I’d rather use that money for something else. If my mother is about to die and not yet dead, and you expect me to bring GH₵5,000 as tithe, only for the church to give GH₵500 to support me, I won’t do that,” she said.

She explained that although she is employed and capable of contributing, she has deliberately stopped paying tithe because she believes the support offered to members does not match the amounts they are expected to contribute.

Impact on Attendance

The woman also recalled that in previous years, when the church provided smaller welfare contributions — sometimes as little as GH₵10 — toward members’ needs, attendance was much higher and the auditorium was often full.

In her view, linking financial support strictly to tithe payment discourages members from participating fully in church activities. She claimed the situation has already led some members to stop attending the church altogether.

Broader Conversations

The incident at Wesley Cathedral has triggered fresh conversations within Sunyani and online about fairness, church support systems, and tithe practices. While some argue that tithing is a biblical obligation that sustains church operations, others say welfare should not be conditional on payment records, especially during emergencies.

Wesley Cathedral Methodist Church is one of the major Methodist congregations in Sunyani. The church leadership had not issued an official public statement on the matter at the time of this report.

The Methodist Church Ghana has previously encouraged members to pay tithes and taxes as part of Christian stewardship, while also warning congregants to be discerning about financial demands from religious leaders.

This is a developing story. More details will be provided on Noblenews as they become available.

Written by Dominic Duut.