Some congregants during the afternoon service gave $2,000 or more and some gave only hundreds. Winans generally responded by praising God for each donation, although when one woman announced she was “sowing a seed” of $1.50 plus $1.60 plus an additional $0.05, Winans took her tithe silently.
The pastor’s interaction with McCoy occurred during the church’s 10:45 a.m. service. Prior to receiving the offerings, the pastor explained, “Nobody is being made, coerced, arms twisted. We’re doing it willingly because we have a future.”
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There is an “anointing” on believers’ donations “when we give sacrificially,” he said. “As you give to God, God gives back to you.”
“Now listen to me. We’re going to do this a couple of ways,” Winans said, explaining that, whenever it was each person’s turn, he wanted the givers to announce to the church that they had their initial $1,000 plus whatever else they were giving.
After Winans led by example with his own tithe, people began coming up to the pulpit and announcing their donations while reading his statement. Some in the initial group gave less than $2,000.
Winans paused at one point and explained he wanted only the people giving $2,000 to line up and donate right then. People who were giving less would have a chance to donate later. He reiterated this again a little while later. Shortly after that, McCoy approached with a young boy and said that she was sowing a seed of $1,000 plus $235.
“Now, that’s only $1,200,” Winans said.
“Yes,” said McCoy.
“Y’all not listening to what I’m saying,” said Winans. “If you have $1,000 plus $1,000…”
“Ok,” said McCoy. “Well, I’m gonna to work on the other $800.”
“But that ain’t what I asked you to do,” he replied.
After the next woman gave her tithe, Winans stopped and told the congregation, “Listen to me…if you didn’t give but $4.25, we going to get to you today…I’m trying to do it orderly.”
“So, if you’re in the line and your total doesn’t equal $2,000,” he said, “you can just slip out…and we going to call you to come back.”