How can I give to the church?
Offertory plate
Each Sunday service includes a collection so that everyone has opportunity to contribute to the work of St. John's. All donations are gratefully received. However, if you come regularly to church we would like to ask you to join our planned giving scheme.
Planned giving scheme
We encourage all those with an ongoing commitment to St. John's to contribute financially to its ministry on a regular basis. The planned giving scheme is a confidential way of regularly giving money to church for as long or short a period as you wish. By joining the scheme you will be letting us know in advance how much you intend to give on a weekly, monthly or annual basis. This allows us to create a budget for each year, and so helps us to plan ahead for the future. However, joining the scheme does not imply any legal commitments to giving. You can stop, reduce or increase your giving whenever you wish. There are two main ways to operate the scheme:
Bankers order- It is very easy to arrange to give to church directly from your bank account. You remain in control of your giving, but once the order is set up you can forget about it until you want to change it. You can arrange to make payments as frequently as you wish - monthly, quarterly or annually. You may already pay your utility bills in this way. The advantage for St. John's is that it requires less administration, and continues even if you are unable to attend church for a while.
Envelopes- For those who prefer not to use bankers order, you can still give in a planned way by asking for a box of giving envelopes. There is one envelope for each week of the year in which you can place your cash or cheque. The envelopes have a reference number so that the giving secretary can match the amount in the envelope with the person in the scheme. As with other methods no one else will know how much you are giving.
Others- There are other, less frequently used, methods of planned giving, which some people find helpful. Ask for details if you would like to find out more.
Gift Aid- All charitable giving is tax deductible. This means that if you pay tax on your income or investments, then the church can reclaim the tax that you have already paid on any money you give to St. John's. By filling out a gift aid form you can increase your church giving by 28%! If you pay tax and have not already filled out a form, please let us know. At no extra cost to you the church can increase your giving.
Bequests / Legacies- Leaving a gift in your Will to the church is a very practical way of continuing to support its ministry for future generations. Please ask for more information on this if you think this is something you might like to do.
How is the money used?
Approximately our expenditure is split as shown. The Diocesan Share is the amount of money each parish pays to the Diocese and is a major part of our annual expenditure. All churches contribute to this fund, according to their 'ability to pay'. The majority of the Share is used to pay for our own clergy and the rest goes to support those in less 'well-off' parishes and to contribute towards the cost of central administration and staff. The Share is an important part of mission to our parish and to the Diocese as a whole.
How much should I give?
The amount you give will depend entirely on your own personal circumstances, both financially and in respect to your commitment to the life and work of St. John's. We have no wish to place further pressure on those who are already struggling to make ends meet and, of course, no one is forced to give anything to the church if they do not wish to do so. However, the more people give to the church, the more effective we can be in fulfilling our ministry and mission to the parish and beyond. There is much that we would like to do in the future, but this will only be possible through the generosity of those who support the church. So how much should we give? The Bible suggests a number of guidelines. We should give:
Thankfully
"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich" (2Corinthians 8:9).We give in response to what God has done for us.
Spiritually
"They gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will" (2Corinthians 8:5). Whatever we give to church, we should regard as a gift to God. It is an act of worship, love and obedience.
Regularly
"On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money" (1Corinthians 16:2). This allows us to give generously, while leaving enough for our own needs. It also helps the church to plan its budget.
Proportionally
"Each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with their income" (1Corinthians 16:2). "The gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have (2Corinthians 8:12). In the Old Testament this proportion was set at 10% of income. In the New Testament there are no such rules, yet it is difficult to argue that we should give less, when we bear in mind all that God has done for us in Jesus Christ. In fact the early Christians often gave far more (see next category).
Sacrificially
"They gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability" (2Corinthians 8:3). This was not giving out of pressure or fear, but love. As our hearts are filled with thankfulness to God, love for others and a desire to see the church grow so we may find that our giving becomes sacrificial.
Willingly
"Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2Corinthians 9:7). In the end it's up to you. Pray. Reflect on the call of Jesus for us to seek first the kingdom of God. Consider your needs and those of your family. Think about other causes you may wish to support. Pray again and try to listen to God. Then make your own decision. Give freely and cheerfully.
Trustingly
"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" (2Corinthians 9:8).
We can never out-give God. As we give to him, his people and his work, so God will pour out his blessings upon us!