Why should I give?
- To express our love and commitment to Christ
Our giving of money is an offering of love and gratitude in response to the generous giving of God through Christ Jesus. It is also a measure of our commitment to Christ. As someone said, “It is possible to give without loving but impossible to love without giving”.
- To support the church in its ministry and mission
Our fellowship is totally self-supporting. We do not receive money from any denominational coffers, nor do we appeal to those outside the church to finance our work.
Where does the money go?
Each year the church members approve a budget prepared by our Finance Group, which covers these five main areas of church work:
Ministry – The Pastors are supported full-time by our gifts. This frees them for the work of preaching and teaching, pastoring and leading.
Mission – One third of our budget goes to causes outside our fellowship in supporting various mission projects and personnel overseas and in this country. We also support those who are in training for future outreach and ministry.
Premises – We have a large and well-used suite of buildings, which include the church halls, church centre and offices and the sanctuary. These need to be constantly maintained and occasionally improved so that the Lord’s work will not be hindered by poor facilities or equipment. The church is also responsible for providing housing for the pastors.
Outreach – Our thriving work with children and young people is largely financed by the church. We also support, to varying degrees, a wide range of other outreach activities on our premises.
Administration – A large fellowship needs good communication and administration. Our church office is staffed part-time and our newsletter and other publications all help to keep people informed and involved in our growing church.
How can I give?
Weekly envelopes – In each service we have an offering. This is not a collection for expenses but an act of worship to offer our gifts and lives in God’s service. To help people give regularly there are dated and unnamed weekly envelopes available in the foyer by the bookstall. Please take a set. If you intend Gift Aiding your contribution, please see the Treasurer, as we need to know the number on your set of envelopes.
Standing order – Many people prefer to give directly through their bank or building society and this also helps us with a regular cash-flow. When people give this way there need be no embarrassment about letting the Sunday offering bag pass! Standing order forms are available from the Treasurer.
Gift Aid – If you pay income tax the church can reclaim the tax you have already paid on gifts through envelopes or bankers order. This means that for every £1 you give, the church receives an additional 28 pence rebate from the Inland Revenue. All that is required is for you to sign the enclosed simple Gift Aid Declaration and hand it to the Treasurer or Gift Aid Secretary. Any gifts you then give to or through the church (whatever amount – no minimum) are allowable for the church to claim a rebate. This means there is no problem in stopping giving if your financial circumstances change or you move away. It is also very simple to increase your giving at any time without completing new forms. If you need further information please contact the church office.
How much should I give?
At the end of the day, that is something between you and the Lord. The Scriptures, however, do give clear guiding principles. Many Christians follow the Biblical practice of tithing (giving one tenth) and have discovered the blessing God promises:
“Bring the whole tithe (tenth) into the storehouse… Test me in this”, says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” Malachi 3:10
The New Testament also underlines the principle of sacrificial and systematic giving. Paul sums it up this way:
“You should each give, then, as you have decided, not with regret or out of a sense of duty: for God loves the one who gives gladly. And God is able to give you more than you need, so that you will always have all you need for yourselves and more than enough for every good cause.” 2 Corinthians 9:7-8
It is not the amount that really matters – that will vary according to our different circumstances – but our attitude that counts.