I see different issues here, not just one.
1. The church was keeping tabs on what people were giving by giving each person a number - is that a right or wrong thing to do?
Yes it is totally
wrong. Why? Because in all giving we are
giving to God, not man, and not a church...God.
Not saying that the Pastor, Vicar, Priest should have done something..like pull the little boy aside and in love teach him about theft. Especially thrift to God. What a missed opportunity. A kindness may have changed Rollo's life.
The whole "numbering of envelopes" is wrong. It is no business of the pastor, vicar, or priest what each person gives to God.
<snip>
3. Abuse does impact and have a rippling effect on life and the choices we make, however we are still accountable for those choices , even if the actions of others have contributed in some way.
Yes agree. But as said...we all have childhood agony tales. And as you say...we are still accountable for what we do with them. It's the potato and egg story. Both put into boiling water for a period of time...one came out of it hard, one came out of it soft. These life experiences either make us bitter or better.
The last point is also something that applies to everyone, including those within church, and just because we may align with a certain church does not mean we cannot disagree with something they may have done - it seems to me that many defend everything , because they want to be loyal.
Butterfly
Amen, that is so true. Back to motivation again.
Leadership especially, hate to be questioned or disagreed with....in my experience anyway. They would much rather a person left the church than stay and disagree or call them to account.