Members of a small Baptist congregation in Texas say their pastor denied them communion after they refused to give him their tax refunds, MyFoxHouston.com reports.
Parishioners at the Houston Unity Baptist Church claim the pastor, John Goodman, asked members of his congregation to hand over their tax refunds to the church.
"He said for all those who are getting a tax refund, 'How many are you are going to give it to the church?'" said one church member, who spoke to the station on condition of anonymity.
Goodman has admitted to denying his congregation communion but said he did so because church members overall have failed to support the church financially -- like giving money toward its new parking lot. He said only four or five members of the church actually donate, and he called the rest of his congregations "devils," MyFoxHouston.com reported.
"I asked if there were any other members, which I know it is, that got income tax money. I ask if they would like to contribute it over here to the new parking lot," Goodman said in an interview with the station.
Click here to read more on the Houston Unity Baptist Church controversy from MyFoxHouston.com
Pastor Calls Flock Devils, Demons: MyFoxHOUSTON.com