What to Give?

Determining Your Financial Contribution to the Church

Why do we give?

Primarily we give to show our thankfulness for God’s love, forgiveness and presence in our lives, particularly as we have come to know that in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Secondly we symbolically give to the church because the church is going about God’s work in the world. CGS is the place that we can come to with others to wrestle with questions about life and God. We value the worship and music; the weddings, baptisms and funerals at those critical times in our lives; the Christian Education programs for all ages; the outreach programs to the those in need; the pastoral support given by our clergy and lay people as we support those in crisis; and the laughter and fellowship we share. Most of these things cost money, not to mention the need to financially support the heat, lights, and maintenance of our beautiful, historical building.

How do we give?

The traditional method is that you will be given a set of envelopes. Unless you specify differently, you will only be given one envelope for each month. Most people budget and pay their bills monthly so this allows you to systematize and include your church contributions in your monthly budget. In addition it is less expensive for the church to give you 12 envelopes than 52. That envelope can be submitted in church on any Sunday during the specific month—or mailed in. On the other Sundays of the month, you put nothing in the plate as it passes you, since you already (or will) submit your entire contribution on a different Sunday in that month. Many people do not use envelopes at all as they give through on-line banking, annually, or by other electronic transfer methods. We are strongly encouraging people to consider these “newer” methods of contributing as we try to go “green” at CGS. Contact the church office for more information about these methods.

How much should we give?

The church will not tell you how much to give (particularly in a state that says live free or die!). However we do encourage you to consider certain principles in determining the amount you give. The first is “Percentage Giving”. This means determining a percentage of your income (gross or net) that you feel is appropriate to give—out of thanksgiving and because you value how the church uses your contributions. Once you determine a fair percentage (click here for help), you keep giving that percentage whether your income goes up or down or stays the same. We do not feel the church should be in the business of asking you for “more, more, more” every year. If everyone is giving a percentage of their income, then what the church receives to spend for its ministries will be in line with how its parishioners are faring from year to year in their personal incomes. We feel it is a system fair to all.

But what percentage should we give?

We encourage you to adopt the concept of “Sacrificial Percentage Giving.” God made a sacrifice for us in the life, death and subsequent resurrection of Jesus, so that we might have life! Therefore we are called to symbolically make a “sacrifice” of our financial income so that God’s presence may thrive in the world through the work of the people of the church. We do not want you to give such a small amount that it means nothing to you or your faith relationship with God. We also do not want you to give so much that you neglect other important aspects of your personal budget. Therefore we find it helpful to give a percentage that “hurts some”—that is in fact, a sacrifice for you. We do not teach tithing (giving 10%) because for many giving 10% may not be sacrificial at all, and they need to consider an even higher percentage. For others giving a percentage less than 10% may be very sacrificial. Practicing “Stewardship”, being a good steward of our resources, means being wise with how we spend all of our money, not just what we are giving to the church—and making sure our budget and spending coincides with the priorities we set of the things we value.

What does it mean to “pledge”?

Every November you will be asked to indicate to the church how many dollars you will be contributing in the following calendar year (Jan – Dec). This is called making a “pledge”. The church adds up everyone’s pledge. Then the parishioners approve a budget at the annual meeting in January. We all decide together how best to spend this money for the church’s ministries. The church will budget 100% of the amount you pledge. It is therefore imperative that you contribute 100% of what you say you will in your pledge, since the church will spend its budget expecting to receive those funds during the year. You can adjust your pledge during the year upward or downward if your financial circumstances change by simply contact the church administrator or clergy.