Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. All people should give what has been decided in our hearts to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times; having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. –Corinthians 9:6-8
One of the criteria for defining a healthy church is how well the congregation supports the vision and dreams of the church through the annual budget.
What can we do? Working together, moving forward, Center Church’s ministry will be sustained with abundant generosity. Together, moving forward in faith, we continue our ministry at Center Church!
Pledge VS. Plate, Marriage vs. A Date
There are many ways we can support the church with our dollars, and none of them are bad! From time to time we support special offerings. Many of us have chosen to remember the church in our wills.
More routinely, we either drop cash in the offering plate on Sunday or make a yearly financial pledge or letter of intention to the church. Every dollar, no matter how it is given, helps equip Center Church for ministry. But making a Pledge serves you and the church better.
Here’s why. From a practical standpoint, pledging (knowing how many dollars will be offered for the year) helps our Board of Trustees devise a more accurate financial plan for the year. Plate income isn’t planned income. So plate can only be roughly (and conservatively) estimated as we allocate resources for the year.
In a sense randomly giving to the plate is like dating. It’s fun and you try to date as often as you can, but you don’t want to get too “serious” or throw yourself entirely into the relationship.
Pledging, on the other hand, is much like a marriage! You have prayerfully committed yourself to a relationship with this church. You have made a promise, a covenant, to be there through thick and thin, good and bad. Pledging is an expression of your faith in God, this congregation and the United Church of Christ.
Make a covenant with Center Church. Together, Moving Forward, we are committed to equipping Center Church for ministry!
