How would you take tithes/offering?
 

As many know I am planting a church later this year.

I have been doing alot of thought on how we are going to do various things.

Offering during a service is actually a area that I am sensitive about since I have seen many things over the years I dont care for.

I was thinking of putting tithes/ offering boxes next to the doors as they come in and out.

One of my friends tells me offering marches are the way to go.

I'll open it up and would appreciate others sharing what strikes them as the right way (I would especially appreciate pastors chipping in with advice).

Re: How would you take tithes/offering?
 

I hate offering marches. If you aren't giving you sit there conspicuously alone. If you decide not to look that way you pretend to get in the march to give

Re: How would you take tithes/offering?
 

One more thing..before the pastor tells everyone to "March" have him get off the state, sit on a pew, walk all the way around, drop in some money, then sit down again

Re: How would you take tithes/offering?
 

If you march, mix it up with music, fellowship and greeting... something to avoid the awkward "I wasn't able to give today" moment.

I think offering time is a great opportunity to explain the needs of the church, what the church is doing, etc. Always make it clear that the offering is not intended for guests and that you are just happy to have them.

I think having a donation box somewhere is also a great idea for those who prefer to give conspicuously.

Re: How would you take tithes/offering?
 

I got an idea...wow this is a great one. Have a special tithe offering, have the pastor march around to music holding jar with a sign that reads "will preach for money"...hehe seriously Im kidding, don't get upset guys

Re: How would you take tithes/offering?
 

That may work! I've seen worse gimmicks! :ursofunny

Re: How would you take tithes/offering?
 

Back at IBC I was engaged to a girl from Columbus, OH. We went out to visit Rod Parsleys church while they were having their Dominion Camp Meeting.

We had a 30+ minute pre-offering sermon by Clarence McClendon telling me I couldnt buy a miracle from God and then having the other 29 minutes with stories of how money bought miracles from God. That was my church offering low point in my life. :)

I am told that having a tithing box in a new church is financial suicide since there are no established givers... but I dont wanna be hokey about it. I am kinda split down the middle.

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Don't be gun shy. You have a need. You aren't a charlatan (I assume). Paul was creative in urging other's about the Jerusalem offering. Offering is worship, it's another way we do that. At the same time, it meets practical needs. A church that is open about it's money, the people will be open with them about theirs (I believe).

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If you do an offering march, you may NEVER have any established givers. (j/k) Besides, from experience I will tell you that offerig marches can quickly turn into "intermission" or bathroom breaks. :winkgrin

If you say the offering isn't intended for guests, you've just implicated that all members are expected (required?) to give.

One thing that has irritated me was the offering plate passing every service. How many people are paid 3-4 times a week? I don't know any. So why pass the plate that many times?

My last church had a tithe box AND passed the plate. Overkill. Don't go there. I'm currently looking for a church, and visited one this week that had an offering box of sorts-just an open plate. They didn't get much money.

I even knew one man that didn't pass a plate for nearly 9 months after starting a church. People came to him and asked to be able to give. By that point he knew people well enough, and had prayed about it long enough, to be able to do what was best for them.

Your best answer may lay somewhere in the middle of all these and other recommendations, actually. And it will depend on your area and the people who come. If you are giong to a low income area, or an area in economic distress, you may want to try one method. If you are going to a deeply traditional area, another option might be best.

Re: How would you take tithes/offering?
 

Marches are a great way to take up an offering orderly. If you are starting out small, making an appeal for donations and charitable contributions and then leaving a box in front is appropriate.

I think members are implicated to give. It's a gospel thing. Money is a heart issue and an idol as much as any. In that tone, it has been an idol of preachers too, so we fight a PR contest, and want to assure others of our integrity. Money is for practical matters, not for the church leader to live lavishly. Any sensible person expects that to be part of a church congregation.

Re: How would you take tithes/offering?
 

Sorry, memories of the person who told me I should have been giving 10% offerings, 10% tithes, and at least $5 four times a week when the plate was passed were dancing through my head.

:haloplug

Re: How would you take tithes/offering?
 

HAHA I understand.

"This is a hold-up!"

Re: How would you take tithes/offering?
 

We stopped passing the plates many years ago and IT WORKS!!! Within two months, our offerings doubled! And MANY people come to church just because they heard we don't take offerings. Take the step of Faith! It works and God will provide!

Re: How would you take tithes/offering?
 

Do you still talk about giving in the context of worship and in instruction of practical needs for the church?

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It's never the focus of a sermon but it's mentioned. Now don't shoot me....but we don't teach tithing. Yeah, I'm one of those that believes it's not a NT absolute. But we believe in giving and when "The Heart" gets involved, many give more than 10%, and it's the heart that God asks for in the NT!

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I'd set up a terminal or a series of terminals where folks could swipe their Debit Cards. I would try and make it a point to either decline or return charges against a Credit Card unless there was some special need.

I know several people have something like a lock box set up where folks can drop off contributions and they never take an offering in a service. I don't know about that.

What we do is simply send an EFT for our tithes and most offerings (... and I know, I've posted "against tithes" - but my only problem is really with the teaching that is so prevalent).

I know you don't want to appear to be "shaking people down," however you will need to disciple and train new Christians on the matters of giving. Passing a KFC bucket is no offense; especially if there's been some "Colonel" that has been enjoyed by all.

Re: How would you take tithes/offering?
 

I wouldn't shoot you... I'd high-five you.

I give 10% because I've accustomed my lifestyle to give that as a minimum. But I don't do it as law, or in fear of being cursed if I didn't.

This sort of Christian generosity is at the heart of the Gospel.

Re: How would you take tithes/offering?
 

Boxes have worked really well for us. It's been years since a plate has been passed. And we're considering doing Debit terminals. We have price quotes but haven't taken the leap, yet. In the "New World" there are MANY people who don't even have a check book any longer so we've actually had a lot of people ask if could get a debit machine.

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I've struggled with the tithing concept as long as I can remember. And I thought I was the only one until AFF! Now I'm finding out I might even be in the majority.

Re: How would you take tithes/offering?
 

The spanish pastor at Church of Champions in Houston sells them. They have a system that has done big things for them giving-wise.

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I think you are. I remember bible college friends questioning it wayyyy back. Of course, they'd be embarrassed to admit that publicly, and they will give you the usual retorts. Some of them, washed with fear, actually have gave up thinking and actually have accepted the "be cursed or give x amount" theology.

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Do you have any more info? If so, could you PM it to me? Are they portable or permanent? We rent...and always will, so we need portable.

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It's a scary subject, isn't it? For me, it didn't start theologically, it was a spiritual thing. It would just grind at me every time it would start. This guy got up once and started on the "curse" thing and it just hurt. He was talking about a different God than I knew. And all that caused me to study it all. Then, I had a conversation with a pastor who give me "permission" to be freed from it.

I think so many guys are afraid of losing money if they say to people, "Give as you purpose in your heart" (II Corinthians 9).

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We have big plastic buckets (KFC style) with our logo on them that we pass during every service. Eddie only takes a minute or two at offering time, and then the ushers pass the buckets. It goes so fast, and there's no pressure, but we do encourage tithing and offerings. So far, God has been faithful to meet every need.

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Be open and Be Honest..present the need each week to your group..
This month,the rent is $$
Electric Bill is $$$
This need is....
so on and so on...

Just wanted to present what we as a church are needing to function at this location and if we want to continue this fellowship here,here are the challenges we face.I ask that you pray and seek the Lord on what you can do.

Turn in your hymnal to page 362..He wrote my name..

Re: How would you take tithes/offering?
 

Pass the offering plate around is my suggestion.

Re: How would you take tithes/offering?
 

We have small boxes mounted to the back wall on either side of the exit doors of the aditorium.

We rarely mention that the boxes are there.

The only time we "pass the plates" is on the 1st Sunday of the month. That is our missions offering sunday. Envelopes are used that people can check from @ 10 to 15 different places their money can go.

Here's a thought for you. Would invite guests over to your house for dinner, then in the middle of the meal, pass an offerig plate around the table and ask your guests to help with the cost of the meal?

Re: How would you take tithes/offering?
 

It takes alot of thought on how we are going to do it. It shapes the service and guest perception for sure.

Re: How would you take tithes/offering?
 

I hate for pastor's to say we already have recieved our offering but Sister Alvear is here and she will come stand at the front and put some spending money in her hand....lol..

Re: How would you take tithes/offering?
 

Found this gem while researching on the itardnets big pipes and webs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pUAn...ayer_embedded#!

Re: How would you take tithes/offering?
 

I don't care for the marches. Many times I don't give and choose to sit with those I know can't give rather than parade up front.

Re: How would you take tithes/offering?
 

I am leery of marches also, I am told up and down it makes a big difference on the weekly "take" but over the long term I can see why it would take the focus off worship and experiencing Christs teachings to just "the church is about my money". I have wondered if they cost more over the long term in lost opportunities and people who mis-understand and never come back.

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God loves a cheerful giver....ha.....

Re: How would you take tithes/offering?
 

I find passing the plate to be even more conspicuous than marching. As the plate passes under your nose it's very obvious whether or not you drop something in. With marches, a large number of people will give their money to a kid to take up, so it's not as obvious whether or not you had something to give.

I love the idea of boxes on the wall.

Re: How would you take tithes/offering?
 

You mean like the lady with the two mites:thumbsup

Re: How would you take tithes/offering?
 

I'm not a pastor... but here are my thoughts

Keep in mind that picking an offering system simply on how much money it will yield is likely not the best approach.

Other than that I think there are 3 criteria you can use to evaluate what you need to do.

1. Early Financial Needs
2. Desired Church Atmosphere
3. Special Projects

If either the churches or your financial needs won't be met at any time (other than early in the planting) with a given offering system then its probably best to scrap that system instead of potentially using that system and allowing the church fail due to lack of funds.

After that determine which systems mesh well with the atmosphere you want your church to have. This is a non financial decision. Remember that not every church is for everybody so don't try to please everyone. Some people will like the system you choose and others will hate it.

After that pick the remaining system that you believe will yield the most money to fund special projects such as food pantries and other community outreach.

Re: How would you take tithes/offering?
 

:thumbsup:thumbsup

Re: How would you take tithes/offering?
 

Well, in my opinion, its best not to settle on just one way to recieve an offering. Develop 4 or 5 different methods then allow the Lord to lead you to utilize the one thats appropriate for that particular service. And don't say "Now we'll take up the offering..." or (and I haerd this one not long ago...hate it!) "Let's lift the offering....". Just use the word "receive".

Suggestions:
1. Ushers at the exit doors to recieve the offering at the close of service.
2. "Offering march" Pastor standing with ushers at front of church to greet the givers.
3. Offering box
4. Pass the plate.

Re: How would you take tithes/offering?
 

Here is how Old Order Mennonites do it... there is a small box at the door, and on occasion someone will make a deposit for operating expense or otherwise. Ministers are not paid, but like other membership, they might receive love offerings if they experience hardship.

If they need a new building everyone contributes and builds - but only what they can pay for - no bank loans.

If they need to raise funds for a member acquired hospital bill or fire loss they make a public announcement after service. A statement is read notifying what the funds will go for and the amount to be raised, then representatives will contact each member for a free will donation in the coming weeks. i e: "For two hospital bills and three fire/storm losses we need to collect 1.2 million dollars". If they receive over the amount it stays in the fund til the next need. If they fall short they will state by how much and another offering is taken. - these offerings are not received at church and numbers are confidential.

Re: How would you take tithes/offering?
 

Wow....I kinda like that! It sure sounds like Acts 4! So what about health insurance? Do they have that?