A church in Texas is doing the unthinkable by passing around the offering plate and actually inviting people to take money out.

The Cross Timbers Community Church in Argyle has been hit hard by the economic downturn.

However, the pastor told the congregation that if anyone needs money to take some out from the offering plate.

The church took in its highest offering on record that day.

Pastor Toby Slough told CBN News how he came up with the idea.

"It wasn't pre-meditated and it wasn't like we had a strategy," he said. "It was just a sense in the room that day that people where beat down by the economy and feeling guilty. Man the bible says that it's suppose to be a time of joy when giving and if that meant taking something out so they could get something to eat I was incredibly ok with that."

Slough said that churches are positioned uniquely in these economic times to send a message of hope like never have before.

"What we began to see is you can't out give God," he added.