Money and Stewardship
I want to thank you for taking an interest in our church's finances. If you've ever given before, thank you. With your help the church has fed thousands of people, created a good worship program, and offers a location to many groups at less than 1/4 of the cost of commercial space.
I'm going to avoid the platitudinous theological veneer about your relationship with money that most churches offer. It's important - and your relationship with money is a good mirror with which to see yourself - but let's avoid the metaphors, theology or fancy language when talking about your money. Plainly, we rely on money so we can effectively care for others.
As an institution, however, churches are the most effective distributors of caring, period.
Why?
Priests are cheaper than most CEOs of not-for-profits. Volunteers do most of our daily work. Church communities subsidize the activities of other not-for-profits. We facilitate non-monetary exchanges (trading, recycling, work-exchanges).
We also help others build community: yoga practicioners; Bengalis; the hungry; artists; the differently abled; wine aficionados.
We provide a place for them. Churches are frugal, running on faith. And you - your faith.
If you give, there is no guarantee you'll be wealthier or healthier, although generosity does seem to help us open our eyes to opportunities. Giving also brings happiness. Generosity feels good.
Committed Christians are expected to support the church - the community of faithful Christians. The church collects, distributes and shares voluntary resources so that we can care for each other and those who need help. If you are leery about how churches use your money, as an Episcopal church, the diocese requires a yearly (and expensive) audit, and any pledging member has a right to see our books. Members of the church even write the budget. And if you are nice to us, we might let you see our books anyway.
Unlike other churches - we do not require any particular amount as dues. Although scripture tells us that we owe everything to God, what we offer the church is open to interpretation.
Here are a few ways to think about what you offer.
First, you have more money than you think. But if you are a human being, you probably spend quickly, without thinking. Before discerning what you can give, analyze your budget - its a spiritual exercise. Then pay off your credit cards. Make a budget. Keep a money diary. Look at how you live, first (do you really need to lease a Mercedes? Why not purchase a 10 year old Lexus?). Then, as you assess your own lifestyle, consider the church. What you give is a tax on our own innate envy and greed. Do I think it's easy? No. Your priest stands before you as someone who is also struggling in this path.
Remember that we are the wealthiest country in the world. Why do we succumb to the consumerist lifestyle? It's not easy to challenge its grip upon us. Perhaps together, we an seek a different kind of relationship with our money.
What should we give?
The average pledge nationwide is 2.6% of gross income. The average household income in White Plains is $130,000. This would mean an average Episcopalian who lives in White Plains would give $3,380. The place where scripture suggests we start, however, is 10% - which would be $13,000 for the same family. I'll say that if people gave accordingly, our church would become a very different place that would feel abundant. We'd have great music, multiple services, a full-time music director, effective services, and a healthier physical plant. It would rock.
When deciding what you can give, consider the following ways. Our benchmark is a tithe (10%): of some portion of your income. Consider, of course, where YOU are. Its for YOU to discern. The priest can't order you to pay a dime. Here are three ways you can use the math of 10% in your offering.
- Tithe any unexpected amount - a bonus, winnings at poker, what you have in your pocket on Sunday, or
- Tithe your spending budget after fixed expenses, or
- Tithe, or give a percentage of your net, or gross, income after taxes.
If you wish to donate using a credit card or your PayPal account, click on the Donate button at the top of this page.
Please pledge. Pledging helps us budget and is a good indicator of our community's strength. Email us and we'll send you a pledge envelope. Checks are written out "St. Bartholomew's Church." You can also do direct deposit. Thank you for your generosity. Your commitment is a blessing upon us.