All Stewardship FAQ Updates
- Should I Give Based on my Gross or Net Income?
posted September 4, 2011A. Pray and ask God what He wants you to do. If He prompts you in your heart to give off the gross amount, go ahead and do it, trusting Him with the results. If you don’t have peace about this, give based on your net income and see what happens. After a few months, [...]
- When Are Electronic Donations Withdrawn?
posted August 28, 2011Q. I would like to give electronically. When would the donation be withdrawn from my account? A. Good news, giving electronically will soon get even easier. In September Klein Bank, will make it possible to withdrawal 2 times during the month. So, for example, rather than $400 taken on (or around) September 2 you can [...]
- What Should I Give?
posted August 21, 2011Q. Last week you mentioned what God wants to give to us. I know I am a Christian, what should I give to support God’s work? A. Always make it a priority to faithfully support the work of your local church first. Then give special gifts and offerings to other Christian causes, projects, missions or [...]
- I have “fallen behind” in my giving to God’s work. What should I do?
posted August 16, 2011A. First a clarification – Pledge cards or Estimate of Giving cards are just that – estimates. It helps Zion plan for the coming year. But if your finances have changed you are not obliged to an estimate you gave nearly a year ago. However if you knowingly, accidently or through circumstances fallen behind in giving to [...]
- I’m not sure if I really am a Christian. Should I give?
posted August 14, 2011A. Not a Christian, don’t worry about giving to God. Instead, realize and accept what God wants to give to you – complete forgiveness, a brand new start, the power to be good and do good for others, help for your problems, the ability to forgive and a home in heaven. If you recognize your [...]
- Sunday morning attendance can be lower during the summer. Is giving also lower?
posted August 7, 2011A. Yes, we have seen lower offerings this summer. To compensate our stewardship team has developed several approaches. We mail offering envelopes to serve as a reminder and an opportunity to mail in their offerings when they will be gone for the weekend. We offer automatic electronic withdrawal (now 2 times a month) through Klein [...]
- What are the advantages of automatic withdrawal?
posted November 28, 2010A: The advantage for Zion is consistency. Even if you miss worship you still give and help Zion with its cash flow. The advantage for the giver is planned or “first fruits” giving. It is a sign of trust in God’s mission and helps put our priorities into practice.
- May I use one check for both the building fund and the general fund?
posted November 21, 2010A. Yes. Offering envelopes include a line for the Building Fund and the General Fund. If you use an envelope please designate the amounts for the “General Fund” or “Building Fund” on the outside of the envelope and the memo line of the check. Special gifts designated for a specific ministry area can be indicated [...]
- We talk about “stewardship” but what is it?
posted November 14, 2010A. Stewardship is how we use all that constitutes our life, our time, our talents and our financial resources. We are at our best when we use our financial resources for God’s glory and to further God’s purposes in this world.
- Why does Zion have an emphasis each fall on financial giving and an estimate of giving for the coming year?
posted October 31, 2010A. We all support God’s mission through Zion because it is deeply important to us. It is a matter of the heart. Our annual fall emphasis is about planning and being intentional. If we fail to plan and be intentional about our giving, chances are our hearts intention will not get carried out.
- Does it matter if I designate where my giving goes either to general fund or building fund?
posted October 24, 2010A. Yes it does. Only those monies designated for the Building Fund will be transferred to that fund. All other money will be used for our general operating budget. Please designate the intention of your giving on the outside of your offering envelope. If you do not use an envelope please make a notation on [...]
- “Stewardship” doesn’t make sense for me: It’s my money, I worked for it, I earned it. How can you say its God’s?
posted October 17, 2010A. Sure you work hard. But could you work if God didn’t sustain your health? Did you get your education and experience without the people that God put in your life? God could call you to judgment at any moment. Will you be able to take “your” things and your money with you? If not, [...]
- One of the words I often hear when giving is talked about is stewardship. What does that mean?
posted October 14, 2010A. In the story Jesus told in Matthew 24:42-51, the steward was one who was trusted with responsibility while the master was away. The task of the steward is to do whatever the master would want if the master were present. As Christians we have been appointed stewards of God’s creation and all that God [...]
- Why do we asking for a multi-year estimate for the Building Fund and a 1-year estimate for the General Fund?
posted September 16, 2010Given the contractual nature of mortgage payments, knowing something about projected income over a three-year period is really helpful to Zion. We have greater flexibility with the General Fund in terms of adding or reducing operations.
- How should people divide their pledges?
posted September 8, 2010That is really up to each giver, of course. But a helpful “rule of thumb” might be to designate 75% of annual giving for General Fund and 25% for Building Fund.
Zion Lutheran Church