As we read scripture, one of the central themes that we see revealed is portraying God as a God of generosity and abundance. Over and over again, God provides for God’s people in ways that the people did not expect but which allowed them to thrive as a community of faith. We see this revealed in the story of the Exodus as God provides manna for the people in the wilderness. We see this when God brings the people back from Exile providing a new path forward. We see this in the stories of Jesus as he feeds the 5,000 and has leftovers to spare. God is generous and provides for our needs in abundance.
Giving at Lord of Life
In our own faith, we are called to a life that reflects this same generosity and abundance. Therefore, when we talk about giving at Lord of Life, we start from a position that understands everything in our life to be a gift from God. Our bank accounts, our family, the meals we eat, the trips we take, are all gifts that are not truly ours. From this, we invite one another into lives of generosity by sharing these gifts to support God’s ministries through Lord of Life. Our faith tells us that as we share the gifts God has placed in our lives we will see God at work in the world and will be blessed by this experience.
We offer many opportunities to support the church and its mission. Your generosity journey is deeply personal, so Lord of Life will not go digging through your personal finances to find out how much you can afford. And we certainly won’t tell you what you “owe” to be a part of this community. We trust that you will be in prayer and will follow the guidance and wisdom of the Holy Spirit in your journey. But our generosity journey is also deeply communal. We need a community to learn from, to push us, and to celebrate with us, so our Stewardship Team is designed to help us in this work. Each year, we’ll receive an invitation from the Stewardship Team with a dollar amount for us to consider. Some years this number will be a big stretch. Other years it will feel very doable. In either case, you’re invited to pray, discuss as a family, make a plan, and then make a decision that is faithful to God’s call for you.
Frequently Asked Questions about Giving at Lord of Life
How can I give?
You can make a contribution online by credit card or EFT. You can also place check or cash in the offering plate any Sunday at Lord of Life.
How do I know how much I should give?
There is no right answer to how much you should contribute. In the Bible, we hear about a “tithe,” which just means 10%, going to the temple to support priests, widows, orphans, and all sorts of other things. Today there are many organizations doing wonderful work that are worthy of your support. So what are we supposed to do? To start, giving to God’s ministry in a congregation is a faithful response to God. So we should be in prayer about what we are being called to contribute. Then, we should remember that God rarely calls anyone into lives of ease and comfort. Throughout scripture, and especially when talking about money, God is calling people to give above what is comfortable with the intention that this allows them to rely on God to meet their own needs. In today’s world, that means we think about what feels easy and then try to stretch just a little bit further. Finally, remind yourself that this is a journey and every journey starts with a single step. If you’ve never contributed before, try starting out with $1 a week. Then see where God leads you as you continue this journey.
What is my giving used for?
Contributions to the “General Fund” support the general operating budget of Lord of Life. This includes funds to support ministries in the community as well as operating costs for our congregation. Any undesignated gift that we receive is placed in the “General Fund.”
Can I designate my gift for a specific purpose?
Lord of Life does have a number of specific opportunities that you can support outside of the “General Fund.” This includes (but is not limited to) our Endowment Funds, our capital campaign, Teen/Youth group fundraisers, support for ministry partners through our Outreach team, the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund, and music opportunities. Generally, gifts cannot be designated for specific ministries within the operating budget.
How is my gift recorded?
Gifts that can be recorded (such as online contributions, checks, and cash in labeled envelopes) are tracked in our system so that giving statements can be offered for tax purposes each year. Unlabeled cash offerings and “in kind” donations such as food or other goods are not tracked by Lord of Life but may be recorded for your tax purposes if you confirm with your tax professional.
I have a question about my giving or giving statement. Who should I call?
You can call the Lord of Life office and we will put you in touch with our Financial Secretary or other appropriate person to answer your questions.