Falwell Mandates Tithing and Church Membership for All of His Employees
The Rev. Jerry Falwell on Friday told the 2,000 employees of his religious empire that they will be required to be members of his church and donate 10% of their income to it.
“We’re not changing anything, we’re just reinforcing what has been a policy for two decades,” the independent Baptist preacher told workers for Liberty University, Old-Time Gospel Hour, Lynchburg Christian Academy, Liberty Godparent Home, Liberty Broadcasting Network and Thomas Road Baptist Church.
Falwell spokesman Mark deMoss did not immediately return a telephone inquiry about the timing of Falwell’s statements. But the action was announced shortly after Falwell unveiled more detailed plans for a new $30-million, 10,000-seat church near the Liberty University campus.
The new facility won’t be ready until at least 1991, Falwell said.
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