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In the New Testament, we see examples of voluntary, generous giving for real needs in the lives of others. The way we handle offerings in our church is patterned around this example. In practice, we will encourage each one to pray and ask God how much to give and to whom. The leadership will "publish," or make known to the congregation, needs for which we feel an offering is appropriate. The published need will either be given without a specific target amount, such as with a "love offering" for a minister or missionary we wish to bless, or, more often, with a target amount that will allow each family to have an idea of approximately what would be appropriate to give to meet the specific need. All of the funds collected for a need will go to the specified recipient, even if the total exceeds the target amount.
The money that people feel led by God to give to a certain need will typically be received in the home cell group meetings by the group leader (a web-based alternative may also be offered). It will then be given to the pastoral staff member who is currently performing the bookkeeping and finally, distributed to recipient. We will endeavor to keep the identity of each giver anonymous while making information about the amounts being given and to whom openly available to all. In fact, we will always make all of the bookkeeping of the church, including giving, salaries and expenditures one hundred percent open and available for the scrutiny of anyone who would like to know, in an attempt to avoid even the appearance of any wrong doing.
In order to cover salaries we will set up an account for this purpose. We will treat the needs of our staff members as a continual published need. Weekly giving to this account will be collected and distributed to each pastor as a set amount . Funds left over will be saved in order to cover weeks when giving is somewhat less. If the account becomes dangerously low, we will publish this as a special need, so none of our staff members will be without their usual payment, whenever possible. Salary amounts for our staff will generally be on par with known salary ranges for the position being filled. The lead pastor will ultimately be responsible for setting these amounts. His salary, while not being set by anyone, will be published, along with the others, so as to make it evident that a fair and reasonable amount is being used.
We estimate that if each family would give about 1-2% of their (gross) household income to the salary account regularly, then the needs of our pastors would easily be met. If the church is growing and this account begins to grow significantly, then we will know that it is the right time to create more staff positions! The supplies needed by the church and cost of renting facilities will be handled in a similar manner, and we will have a second account for this purpose. The approximate recommended giving percent for this account is around .5-1%. Again, these percents are not mandatory, but should give you an idea of how much of your total giving you may wish to set aside to keep the church operating (1.5-3% total). New-comers to our church are never asked to give. When the time comes that you feel God is directing you to join yourself to this church family, begin to pray about how He would have you to give.
As you can see, the operation of the church is maintained by a very small percentage contribution level from our members. This allows a good amount of room for our members to use other moneys to help those with published needs in the congregation or to give to the poor and needy in the world. Pray diligently about where to give and see the beautiful blessing of contributing to various areas in the church and in the world as you walk with God in cheerful generosity. We suggest you pray about what percent of your income you feel God would have you set aside for all of these areas of giving and strive to maintain that level throughout the year. The exact amount you give is a matter of personal conviction, but keep in mind that greed and lack of generosity are strictly against the teachings of Jesus. We suggest that you consider the principle of the tithe - that is set aside 10% of your income for your total giving. You can do more or less, as God leads. Note that we are not a church that will go after you to give 10% (or anything) when you, yourself are in a time of financial crisis - this is between you and God and He will lead you to the right choices for you situation.
We feel it is important to take a moment here to clarify one other thing regarding our theology about giving. Some churches border on teaching that becoming a Christian is a means to financial gain. It is certainly not the purpose of the Gospel to make you rich. It is actually against a clear statement in the New Testament to even harbor a desire to become rich. This is not in any way to say that being rich is a sin or wrong. In fact there are New Testament instructions given specifically to those in the church who are rich - not the least of which is to be very generous. Riches are proclaimed to be "uncertain" and it is not wise to trust in them. Also, it is wrong to love money. Do not become hung up on how much of it you have in your life. God will take care of you and he will provide from any quarter he wishes for your needs and the financial needs related to the spread of the Gospel and His kingdom. He owns and controls all the money on Earth at all times, period.
So, does that mean that we teach that God does not bless and prosper His people? No, He does do this. We are simply cautious about saying that there is a formula that those who give money will get money. The scripture does not clearly make this statement. If you wish to be blessed and prosper in what you put your hand to (as we all do), then we recommend you follow some simple scriptural principles and trust God that He will take care of you in a special way as you do so. First, pray to God that He would bless you and believe that He will answer. Second, follow His ways and walk in His righteousness; Obey Him in all things. Third, do not love money, do not fail to be generous and do not expect to become rich. Blessings will come to the righteous in many forms - financial is only one of them.
When you give to a need that God leads you to, it becomes a blessing in many ways. The recipient is blessed, You are blessed in the act of giving, you are blessed by rewards in heaven and God will bless the seed you have planted and cause it to bear fruit in the purposes for which it was given. If God decides to bring a financial blessing to your hand in this process, then that is a glorious thing and you should use the funds as He guides you. Only do not give with the motivation in your heart to get money.
There is much to say on the topic of money when it comes to specific advice about how to steward it. This is largely a matter of personal conviction, but we will make some statements here to give you an idea of some of our thoughts and convictions as leaders - specifically regarding debt. Getting into debt is not a sin in and of itself, but you should do so very prayerfully, as it often is a bad idea. It is certain that it steals some measure of your freedom as you will become a slave to the lender. When it comes to purchases that are beyond your means, debt may look like a viable way to get what you want. However, consider that using debt to "bless" yourself or your family may actually be a false blessing. True blessing come from God and not from the banks who are trying to entice you to borrow from them. Consider praying for God to provide the funds for the purchase (or investment) in cash or to give you a special deal. Listen for and accept His answer. If the means do not arise to pay cash, consider that God may not be saying "yes" at that time. Look for alternatives He may be placing in your path.
We recommend you keep a budget and update and maintain it frequently. Otherwise, you simply will not know exactly how you are doing at a given time, and will have no way to apply the advice above or any other strategies. Take these suggestions for what they are worth to you. We are not legalistic about how you manage your finances. Please note, though, that if you encounter a need that you would like us to consider publishing to the church, we will need to council with you about the state of your finances in order to evaluate your request. The more information you can provide and the more organized it is, the better.
In the New Testament, we see examples of voluntary, generous giving for real needs in the lives of others. The way we handle offerings in our church is patterned around this example. In practice, we will encourage each one to pray and ask God how much to give and to whom. The leadership will "publish," or make known to the congregation, needs for which we feel an offering is appropriate. The published need will either be given without a specific target amount, such as with a "love offering" for a minister or missionary we wish to bless, or, more often, with a target amount that will allow each family to have an idea of approximately what would be appropriate to give to meet the specific need. All of the funds collected for a need will go to the specified recipient, even if the total exceeds the target amount.
The money that people feel led by God to give to a certain need will typically be received in the home cell group meetings by the group leader (a web-based alternative may also be offered). It will then be given to the pastoral staff member who is currently performing the bookkeeping and finally, distributed to recipient. We will endeavor to keep the identity of each giver anonymous while making information about the amounts being given and to whom openly available to all. In fact, we will always make all of the bookkeeping of the church, including giving, salaries and expenditures one hundred percent open and available for the scrutiny of anyone who would like to know, in an attempt to avoid even the appearance of any wrong doing.
In order to cover salaries we will set up an account for this purpose. We will treat the needs of our staff members as a continual published need. Weekly giving to this account will be collected and distributed to each pastor as a set amount . Funds left over will be saved in order to cover weeks when giving is somewhat less. If the account becomes dangerously low, we will publish this as a special need, so none of our staff members will be without their usual payment, whenever possible. Salary amounts for our staff will generally be on par with known salary ranges for the position being filled. The lead pastor will ultimately be responsible for setting these amounts. His salary, while not being set by anyone, will be published, along with the others, so as to make it evident that a fair and reasonable amount is being used.
We estimate that if each family would give about 1-2% of their (gross) household income to the salary account regularly, then the needs of our pastors would easily be met. If the church is growing and this account begins to grow significantly, then we will know that it is the right time to create more staff positions! The supplies needed by the church and cost of renting facilities will be handled in a similar manner, and we will have a second account for this purpose. The approximate recommended giving percent for this account is around .5-1%. Again, these percents are not mandatory, but should give you an idea of how much of your total giving you may wish to set aside to keep the church operating (1.5-3% total). New-comers to our church are never asked to give. When the time comes that you feel God is directing you to join yourself to this church family, begin to pray about how He would have you to give.
As you can see, the operation of the church is maintained by a very small percentage contribution level from our members. This allows a good amount of room for our members to use other moneys to help those with published needs in the congregation or to give to the poor and needy in the world. Pray diligently about where to give and see the beautiful blessing of contributing to various areas in the church and in the world as you walk with God in cheerful generosity. We suggest you pray about what percent of your income you feel God would have you set aside for all of these areas of giving and strive to maintain that level throughout the year. The exact amount you give is a matter of personal conviction, but keep in mind that greed and lack of generosity are strictly against the teachings of Jesus. We suggest that you consider the principle of the tithe - that is set aside 10% of your income for your total giving. You can do more or less, as God leads. Note that we are not a church that will go after you to give 10% (or anything) when you, yourself are in a time of financial crisis - this is between you and God and He will lead you to the right choices for you situation.
We feel it is important to take a moment here to clarify one other thing regarding our theology about giving. Some churches border on teaching that becoming a Christian is a means to financial gain. It is certainly not the purpose of the Gospel to make you rich. It is actually against a clear statement in the New Testament to even harbor a desire to become rich. This is not in any way to say that being rich is a sin or wrong. In fact there are New Testament instructions given specifically to those in the church who are rich - not the least of which is to be very generous. Riches are proclaimed to be "uncertain" and it is not wise to trust in them. Also, it is wrong to love money. Do not become hung up on how much of it you have in your life. God will take care of you and he will provide from any quarter he wishes for your needs and the financial needs related to the spread of the Gospel and His kingdom. He owns and controls all the money on Earth at all times, period.
So, does that mean that we teach that God does not bless and prosper His people? No, He does do this. We are simply cautious about saying that there is a formula that those who give money will get money. The scripture does not clearly make this statement. If you wish to be blessed and prosper in what you put your hand to (as we all do), then we recommend you follow some simple scriptural principles and trust God that He will take care of you in a special way as you do so. First, pray to God that He would bless you and believe that He will answer. Second, follow His ways and walk in His righteousness; Obey Him in all things. Third, do not love money, do not fail to be generous and do not expect to become rich. Blessings will come to the righteous in many forms - financial is only one of them.
When you give to a need that God leads you to, it becomes a blessing in many ways. The recipient is blessed, You are blessed in the act of giving, you are blessed by rewards in heaven and God will bless the seed you have planted and cause it to bear fruit in the purposes for which it was given. If God decides to bring a financial blessing to your hand in this process, then that is a glorious thing and you should use the funds as He guides you. Only do not give with the motivation in your heart to get money.
There is much to say on the topic of money when it comes to specific advice about how to steward it. This is largely a matter of personal conviction, but we will make some statements here to give you an idea of some of our thoughts and convictions as leaders - specifically regarding debt. Getting into debt is not a sin in and of itself, but you should do so very prayerfully, as it often is a bad idea. It is certain that it steals some measure of your freedom as you will become a slave to the lender. When it comes to purchases that are beyond your means, debt may look like a viable way to get what you want. However, consider that using debt to "bless" yourself or your family may actually be a false blessing. True blessing come from God and not from the banks who are trying to entice you to borrow from them. Consider praying for God to provide the funds for the purchase (or investment) in cash or to give you a special deal. Listen for and accept His answer. If the means do not arise to pay cash, consider that God may not be saying "yes" at that time. Look for alternatives He may be placing in your path.
We recommend you keep a budget and update and maintain it frequently. Otherwise, you simply will not know exactly how you are doing at a given time, and will have no way to apply the advice above or any other strategies. Take these suggestions for what they are worth to you. We are not legalistic about how you manage your finances. Please note, though, that if you encounter a need that you would like us to consider publishing to the church, we will need to council with you about the state of your finances in order to evaluate your request. The more information you can provide and the more organized it is, the better.