Money Matters - Ministry of Giving
Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.
John Wesley
Building on Faith
To someone driving by our lovely sanctuary, one might think that this congregation is financially flush. However it is important to understand that this campus was not built because we already had the funds in place. Rather, every building on this beautiful, oak-shaded property was built because we had the faith that, through the prayers, physical efforts and generous spirit of this congregation, God’s ministries to this community would continue to grow.
Noted author Dan R. Dick writes in his book, Beyond Money, "Biblically, stewardship is about relationship with God, God's people, and God's creation. The church, as we know it, exists to help us grow in these relationships. Giving is not about the need of the institution to receive but about the needs of Christian disciples to give as they grow and grow as they give." The Encarta Dictionary defines steward as, somebody who manages the property, finances, or household of another. On the Center for Christian Stewardship, website, Rev. David S. Bell discusses the privilege we, as Christ’s disciples, are given to serve as stewards of God’s possessions.
Did you know...
Ways to Respond
The dynamic and powerful ministry of our church is funded entirely by member gifts with no grants or other outside funding.
People don’t like to talk about it, but money does matter. Without it the church ceases to function. But beyond that, Jesus taught that God is the provider of all that we have and trusts us to use it wisely. He doesn’t call us to give more than we have – not even half – just one tenth of what He’s provided. Once we understand that privilege, it makes it so much easier to give with a joyful spirit.
We Make it Easy
It is easy to get excited about being a part of the amazing ministry that God is doing through First Church. And we’ve made it easy for you to become a generous giver:
- Prayerfully consider your annual pledge and present that commitment to God via a pledge card placed in the offering plate.
- Place cash or checks in the offering plate. Use the offering envelope for cash if you would like to be provided with records to track your faithful giving for spiritual as well as income tax purposes.
- With regular Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), funds are withdrawn from your account by our bank on a scheduled basis providing a means for you to be consistent in your giving even when you are traveling or otherwise unable to present the gift in person.
- Scheduling an automatic credit card debit also provides a means for faithful and regular giving when you are unable to attend or present your gift in person.
- Some generous givers opt to transfer stocks to the church and provide funds to the church rather than paying capital gains taxes.
- Electronic bill paying from your own home provides a very private and convenient means of giving to your church.
- Disbursement of funds through charitable foundation accounts.
- Estate Planning allows you to remember the Church in your will.
Financial Authorization Forms:
Please complete and submit to Terry McCord, finance@fumc-rr.org, in the First Church Financial Office.
Electronic Funds Transfer Form
Automatic Credit Card Authorization Form