How does your church do offerings?

[LAF]

I saw one churches website and you could do your offering online.

[Anon]

I saw one churches website and you could do your offering online.

How convenient! "Now accepting credit cards."

ROFL!!!!!!!!

[Salyan]

My church has a box on the back table that is designated for that purpose (it doesn't say 'Offering' on it, but its purpose is pretty obvious). We don't do it that way for any specific doctrinal reason -- it dates back from when the church was planted. It met in the pastor's living room for a number of years, and there just wasn't room to pass a plate. We still use the box, and I like it. I don't find that it lessens the impact of giving my tithe any, in fact, it seems to make me more conscious of the importance of giving to the Lord without seeking the praise of man (I like to put my tithe in when no one is there to see me, which can be rather difficult in our busy foyer!), and it frees up the service time for more singing, testimonies, and preaching.

[dwayner79]

Our church offers a service for automatic draft of giving. I forget what its called.

We pass the plate, but make sure to make it clear that giving is not really for visitors. (That sounds bad, its much more gentler when they say it)

[Colin Stolzer]

How convenient! "Now accepting credit cards."

ROFL!!!!!!!!

That's not all that funny - Just take a look at some of the mega churches in this country, for example Willow Creek Community Church will take your money by direct withdrawal or by credit card or by collection and if you become a member not just an attender they want an in writing agreement that you will faithfully tithe what ever amount you state in the agreement - don't take it out of context it's not a contract but they will send someone by to speak with you if you quit giving the agreed amount.

C

[chev1958]

With only a couple of families, I decided to leave the offering plates at the communion table. Passing the plate would mean I'd give the plate to each family, and then they'd have the preacher watching them give. Instead, we leave the plates up front, and folks drop in their tithes and offerings whenever they can.

[Anon]

With only a couple of families' date=' I decided to leave the offering plates at the communion table. Passing the plate would mean I'd give the plate to each family, and then they'd have the preacher watching them give. Instead, we leave the plates up front, and folks drop in their tithes and offerings whenever they can.[/quote']

I can see why you would make that decision. :thumb

[Colin Stolzer]

What's wrong with the Preacher watching them give? Annonamous giving isn't in the NT.

C

[LAF]

That's not all that funny - Just take a look at some of the mega churches in this country, for example Willow Creek Community Church will take your money by direct withdrawal or by credit card or by collection and if you become a member not just an attender they want an in writing agreement that you will faithfully tithe what ever amount you state in the agreement - don't take it out of context it's not a contract but they will send someone by to speak with you if you quit giving the agreed amount.

C

I actually know of a similar situation .It is in regards to something like faith promise or building fund,where someone pledges x amount .Then if persons don't give like stated then they send a letter out about it ,and if that doesn't work they get called into the preachers office for explination .I think thats wrong.

[5dumplings@home]

No I think their idea is that its more private and less "pressure" if you just have a little box in the back.

We use collection plates, I was just saying I know people who don't believe in them.

Hmmm, funny. The whole counsel of God should be preached except in regards to stewardship/money. Wonder what they'll want to keep private next... :roll

[LAF]

What's wrong with the Preacher watching them give? Annonamous giving isn't in the NT.

C

I think annonamous giving is the better way .I know about those who "counted the offering" and they would gossip about how much so and so gave and how so and so hasn't give or who gave the most or least.

[Madeline]

One of my friends dragged me to her church where their offering envelopes had set amounts written on them. (e.g., 50...100....200, etc.). :loco :-S

Love,
Madeline

[Colin Stolzer]

Gossip is a whole different matter, it isn't relevant to the offering. Gossip is a different spiritual problem, that has nothing to do with how you or anyone else gives. What is relevant is that annonamous giving isn't in the NT. The offerinng was laid at the apostles feet, Paul knew exactly which churches were supporting him and which individuals helped him he speaks about them in the epistles. Christ knew exactly how much the widow put in... there are lots of examples of leadership knowing exactly who gave what. Even the Holy Spirit revealed it when it was lied about. If you want the actual verses I can post them but they are common references so I didn't. Can you show me were the annonamous giving is in the NT, cause I didn't see it?

C

[Jerry]

Make sure you don't make your personal preference law. I believe tithing with your name on the envelope teaches accountability to the Lord and to your pastor or the deacons of the church (whoever is involved in the finances). We don't have deacons or gossip mongerers making an issue out of how much people give or don't give. If I gave my tithes faithfully for ten years and then I suddenly stopped giving, or I cut way back (yet I am still working the same job, same hours), then I would actually be glad if my pastor - out of love or concern for my wellbeing - sought me out to see how I was doing. I am not saying he would or has done this as I really don't know what they would do in that situation - but it would certainly never happen if I kept my finances anonymous. In the book of Acts, the church knew who was involved in the giving - think of Barnabas, Ananias and Sapphira. This is my personal preference though.

I know enough about myself that I desire to be above reproach and declare my tithes and offerings, so I am never in a position of tempation to cut back or not give because no one else would know.

[Anon]

My husband prefers not to know what people give.