Interesting -- how many people who fill out a pledge card from their church then get a request from their church to "prove" they can deliver? Seems as if quite a few folks are in a rush to deliver judgement on the leadership for the PCUSA after what might be that the church was (potentially) told a lie. So, is it a classic case of "blame the victim" going on here?
At the worst, the failure was in the making of a big, showy announcement prior to confirming the availability and legality of the money. A goof, to be sure -- but more a lack of good judgement than a show of immorality. Since when did counting chickens before the eggs were hatched mean that one's theology was suspect? Isn't that faith, by definition? Aren't we all counting on our salvation without actual hard evidence? Can someone give me a balance sheet showing the location of Grace and when I'm going to get delivery on that, please?
I've never heard of the Presbyterians suing a member due to non-payment of a pledge. (In contrast to another faith tradition where they take the "deadbeats" to court over unpaid pledges.) And yes, I feel sorry for the PCUSA board, "getting stiffed" must be highly unpleasant for the bookkeepers.