WHO IS INCLUDED IN THE STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM?
The Stewardship pledge includes husband, wife, children, and all dependents in the household.
WHAT WILL MY STEWARDSHIP PLEDGE COVER?
Your Stewardship Pledge will cover your annual commitment to be a steward in good standing.
HOW WILL MY STEWARDSHIP PLEDGE BE USED?
Your Stewardship Pledge will be used to cover the ongoing annual cost of running our church. Our church has an annual operating budget which we are covering today through church events and donations which are not consistent nor reliable. The majority of our donations come from a small number of donors. Our goal is to have greater participation from a larger number of parishioners.
WHEN DOES THE STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM BEGIN?
Our Stewardship Program for the next calendar year will begin during the fourth quarter of the year. At that time, all our members will be invited to pledge a percentage of their resources to do their “fair share” to support our Church for the upcoming calendar year. Payments toward the pledges will begin in January. Members who do not make their pledge (inactive members) will be contacted by members of the Stewardship Committee who can explain the program to them.
HOW MUCH SHOULD I GIVE TO MY CHURCH?
True Stewardship is giving back to Christ’s Church (for the perpetuation of God’s work) a percentage of your financial resources – in proportion to the blessings you have received. The amount each family gives will be different, because the resources of each family are different. Give in proportion to what you have been given; but give sacrificially. It is recommended that each parishioner review the cost of operating the Church before submitting their pledge. Most Serbian Orthodox parishes require an average of $20 per week from each family ($1,040 annually) to maintain an Orthodox Church with active ministries, but we have no set minimum. The Bible encourages tithing as a guideline for giving. Tithing is when one gives cheerfully and voluntarily 10% of one’s annual income for the glory and support of His Church. If you cannot give 10%, begin at 2% or 3% and we recommend you challenge yourself to increase the percentage each year. God will honor your commitment. God will provide.
DO I HAVE TO DISCLOSE MY INCOME?
Absolutely not!
HOW SHALL I PAY MY STEWARDSHIP PLEDGE?
In the manner that you choose. Monthly offerings are suggested because it is easier to manage
smaller, regular contributions rather than large accumulated amounts. It is also easier for the Parish
to plan its budget if the income is regular throughout the year. However, if you wish to pay your
annual stewardship pledge in one lump sum at the beginning of the year, you may do so. You can
schedule monthly payments online via credit card, making this automatic.
BUT WHAT IF AFTER I MAKE MY PLEDGE, SICKNESS OR MISFORTUNE OR LOSS
OF JOB OCCURS?
Your pledge is not a contract. A parishioner may at any time make a private phone call or write a
confidential letter to the Parish Priest to lower or discontinue his pledge until circumstances allow
them to resume their original pledge.
SHOULD I INCREASE MY PLEDGE OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR?
The Church Stewardship Program should cover the entire annual operating budget of the Church.
This is our challenge. It should be the goal of each parishioner to give a portion of their blessings to
meet this challenge.
HOW MUCH SHOULD I GIVE?
Your pledge is what you decide it to be. There are no minimum amounts. The proportion of
your income you give to your Church depends upon:
● How much you love Christ and His Church.
● Your personal awareness of the needs of the Church and of the importance of the
Church’s role in the world today.
● Your willingness to sacrifice.
● Your recognition that regular and sacrificial giving to your Church is a measure of your
personal gratitude toward God.
HOW MUCH DO OTHER PEOPLE GIVE IN FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP?
Thankfully, many of our Stewards recognize the financial needs of an active parish. Considering
your financial resources, are you giving your “fair share” to Stewardship? To meet all the financial
obligations of effectively running a church, it would require an average of $20 per family per week to
operate a healthy Orthodox parish. Some people cannot give $20 per week; but many more people
can give $20 or more.