Pledging
WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT?
At St. James, we know that financial stewardship is an important component of a balanced spiritual life. Returning to God from that which God has given us is a tangible way to express our faith. When each of us gives as we are able, together we fund ministry within our parish, to the local community, and to the world.
WHAT IS A PLEDGE?
A pledge is an estimate of giving; some call it a statement of intent. Your pledge amount may be changed, increased or decreased during the year, at any time as your financial circumstances change.
WHY SHOULD I PLEDGE?
Pledging allows you to make intentional decisions about your financial giving. When you plan ahead for your giving, you make conscious choices about spending your money in ways that reflect your faith and values. Receiving your pledge allows our Vestry, the church’s governing board, to do for our parish community what you do for your household: plan wisely for the use our resources in support of the mission and ministry to which God has called us. The Vestry sets a budget based on the total amount pledged to the church. While plate offerings are important to the parish, your pledge lets the Vestry plan more accurately for the ministry we can accomplish.
HOW DO I PLEDGE?
While our annual giving campaign is held in the fall, pledges may be made at any time by contacting the church office.
HOW DO I PAY MY PLEDGE?
You may pay weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly via cash, checks, or credit card or debit via online giving. You may also pay your pledge with a donation of stock. Many companies have matching funds for charitable donations. If your company has such a plan, please let us know
HOW MUCH SHOULD I PLEDGE?
Determining the amount of your annual pledge is between you and God. However, as you make this important decision, reflecting on your vision of stewardship may be beneficial. Some ways we think about our giving include:
St. James is committed to proportional giving, with the goal of tithing (10%). If you are not pledging 10%, pledge a lower percentage and consider increasing your pledge each year. We ask that you prayerfully consider what level of giving is right for you and your family.
WHAT IS A TITHE?
From medieval English meaning a tenth part, a tithe is 10% of your income. Churches have long set the tithe as the standard of giving, based on Old Testament precedents. But the reality is that everything we possess belongs to God, nothing is our own. And God wants us to use all the resources at our disposal to glorify him, whether in raising children, spending sensibly, giving generously. So it's really up to the individual to pray for the Holy Spirit's gift of discernment in determining how much to pledge to the church to support our worship together and our proclamation to the world.
EVERY PLEDGE, EVERY AMOUNT, MATTERS
Where you start or whether you tithe on your annual or gross income is not nearly as important as simply making your first pledge. Every pledge makes a difference, regardless of the amount.
WHAT IF I MAKE A PLEDGE BUT LATER FIND I CAN’T PAY IT IN FULL?
Parishioners raise and lower their pledge all the time. A pledge is an estimate to help church budgeting; it is not a legal or moral obligation. Please don’t let your uncertainty prevent you from making a pledge. If you have financial difficulties or other unexpected events, simply notify the Stewardship office.
ISN’T THERE ADDITIONAL INCOME THAT SUPPLEMENTS THE BUDGET?
Most of the budget comes from gifts from parishioners. The remainder of the budget comes from building rental and investment income from bequests. St James depends on your faithfulness and generosity. Our ministries are supported by the commitment you make.
QUESTIONS?
If you have questions about financial stewardship or tithing, your Rector is happy to talk with you. Please email him for an appointment.
At St. James, we know that financial stewardship is an important component of a balanced spiritual life. Returning to God from that which God has given us is a tangible way to express our faith. When each of us gives as we are able, together we fund ministry within our parish, to the local community, and to the world.
WHAT IS A PLEDGE?
A pledge is an estimate of giving; some call it a statement of intent. Your pledge amount may be changed, increased or decreased during the year, at any time as your financial circumstances change.
WHY SHOULD I PLEDGE?
Pledging allows you to make intentional decisions about your financial giving. When you plan ahead for your giving, you make conscious choices about spending your money in ways that reflect your faith and values. Receiving your pledge allows our Vestry, the church’s governing board, to do for our parish community what you do for your household: plan wisely for the use our resources in support of the mission and ministry to which God has called us. The Vestry sets a budget based on the total amount pledged to the church. While plate offerings are important to the parish, your pledge lets the Vestry plan more accurately for the ministry we can accomplish.
HOW DO I PLEDGE?
While our annual giving campaign is held in the fall, pledges may be made at any time by contacting the church office.
HOW DO I PAY MY PLEDGE?
You may pay weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly via cash, checks, or credit card or debit via online giving. You may also pay your pledge with a donation of stock. Many companies have matching funds for charitable donations. If your company has such a plan, please let us know
HOW MUCH SHOULD I PLEDGE?
Determining the amount of your annual pledge is between you and God. However, as you make this important decision, reflecting on your vision of stewardship may be beneficial. Some ways we think about our giving include:
- I give because I am supposed to give — a sense of duty
- I give to pay my own way — a sense of fairness
- I give to return a portion of my blessings — a sense of gratitude
- I give to keep church ministries free to all — a sense of generosity
St. James is committed to proportional giving, with the goal of tithing (10%). If you are not pledging 10%, pledge a lower percentage and consider increasing your pledge each year. We ask that you prayerfully consider what level of giving is right for you and your family.
WHAT IS A TITHE?
From medieval English meaning a tenth part, a tithe is 10% of your income. Churches have long set the tithe as the standard of giving, based on Old Testament precedents. But the reality is that everything we possess belongs to God, nothing is our own. And God wants us to use all the resources at our disposal to glorify him, whether in raising children, spending sensibly, giving generously. So it's really up to the individual to pray for the Holy Spirit's gift of discernment in determining how much to pledge to the church to support our worship together and our proclamation to the world.
EVERY PLEDGE, EVERY AMOUNT, MATTERS
Where you start or whether you tithe on your annual or gross income is not nearly as important as simply making your first pledge. Every pledge makes a difference, regardless of the amount.
WHAT IF I MAKE A PLEDGE BUT LATER FIND I CAN’T PAY IT IN FULL?
Parishioners raise and lower their pledge all the time. A pledge is an estimate to help church budgeting; it is not a legal or moral obligation. Please don’t let your uncertainty prevent you from making a pledge. If you have financial difficulties or other unexpected events, simply notify the Stewardship office.
ISN’T THERE ADDITIONAL INCOME THAT SUPPLEMENTS THE BUDGET?
Most of the budget comes from gifts from parishioners. The remainder of the budget comes from building rental and investment income from bequests. St James depends on your faithfulness and generosity. Our ministries are supported by the commitment you make.
QUESTIONS?
If you have questions about financial stewardship or tithing, your Rector is happy to talk with you. Please email him for an appointment.