What is a pledge?
A pledge is your personal commitment to provide a set amount of financial support to the programs, ministries, and day-to-day operating costs of Christ Church. By pledging, you are demonstrating a conscious commitment to give back to God a portion of the gifts he has so graciously given to you. Your pledge is a personal covenant between you and God.
Why should I pledge?
A pledge is an affirmation of our commitment to give back to God a portion of the gifts he has given to us. By making a pledge to Christ Church we are affirming our Financial Stewardship in support of the continuation of our ministries and the realization of our mission “to be the light of Christ in our community as a reflection of God’s love.” Your pledge, along with all the other pledges received, allows Christ Church to plan the annual budget in support of our ministries and programs.
I put money in the offering plate on Sundays. Isn’t that good enough?
Loose funds collected in the offering plate certainly are appreciated and help to support the Christ Church programs and ministries. But it is difficult to plan the church’s annual budget based on loose plate offerings. By pledging you will support the Vestry’s planning of the annual budget, and thereby further contribute to the sustainability of our programs and ministries. Think about what you would normally put in the offering plate and multiply it times 52 weeks as an estimate of your annual giving. Then take a look at the Proportional Giving section in the Stewardship brochure and determine your pledge for 2010.
How much should I pledge? How much should I give?
This is a question that each of us must answer individually. Regardless of our individual income, each of us is called to share a portion of our blessings to help provide for God’s work in the world. A conscious effort is needed by each of us to determine our appropriate level of giving. Ask yourself if you are giving at a level that is consistent with your income and other obligations, and the role that Christ Church plays in your life and the life of our community. Your pledge and your giving should reflect the importance of your relationship with God and the church.
What is tithing?
Tithing means to give 10% of our income back to God through the church. It is an ancient tradition of Judaism and Christianity that is found in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, as well as in other religions of the world. The first mention of tithing in the Bible is in Genesis 14, when Abraham, already aware of the tradition, prepares to make his tithe.
What is Proportional Giving?
Proportional Giving asks all of us to give in proportion to our income and resources. It recognizes that giving back to God is a journey, and that tithing is a level of giving to work towards. It requires us to make a conscious effort to determine an appropriate level of giving for today, and then to be open to allowing our giving to grow in the future. There is a Proportional Giving chart in the Stewardship 2010 brochure that you may find helpful.
Can I change my pledge?
You can change your pledge at any time – either up or down. If you wish to change the amount of your pledge, contact the church office and request a new pledge card. On the card indicate you are changing your pledge along with the new amount, and return it to the church office.
I’m not sure what I can afford next year. How can I pledge?
We understand that sometimes it is difficult to know what your income and expenses will be in the year ahead. You could make your pledge based on a conservative estimate of your income for the next year. Making the commitment is an important way to make the support of the church a priority in our lives. If you find your situation changes during the year, you can change your pledge and giving as needed.
How and when should I pay my pledge?
Pledges can be paid on a schedule that fits your needs. It could be weekly, monthly, quarterly or even in a one-time lump sum. Offering envelopes are available for you to use when making a pledge payment by cash or check. Your offering envelopes can be placed in the offering plate at any worship service, or mailed to the church office if you are using a check. Please do not put cash in the mail. Alternatively you could arrange for your bank to make automatic payments from your bank account to Christ Church. This saves you the time and cost of writing and mailing checks, and assures your payments will be received by Christ Church on a regular basis. Some people find it beneficial to make their pledge payment by transferring appreciated stock to Christ Church. This may allow them to avoid paying capital gains tax on the stock and take a tax deduction for the full market value at the time of transfer. Check with your tax advisor to determine the tax implications for your individual situation.