| So You’ve Been Asked to Give Money A Giving Guide for Brookfield CRC |
| Giving is both an act of worship and a spiritual discipline. When we give, we show our thankfulness to God. We acknowledge that everything we have comes from God, and we affirm our dependence on Him. . How much should we give? Obviously, we don’t all make the same amount of money, so we can’t give the same amount. Because of this, we use the “equal sacrifice” principle. The deacons have determined that if each individual/family gives 5% of their income to the general fund, we will meet our church expenses. Any additional money you give can go toward other church funds or to causes you support. . Our church has several funds. You can contribute to any of them by marking the appropriate fund on your giving envelope. Below is a list of the funds. |
| General Fund The general fund is used to pay the operating expenses of our church, including all pastor and staff salaries and expenses, building upkeep and maintenance, and the parsonage. We also pay ministry shares to the Christian Reformed denomination, which support the broader work of the denomination. The amount we pay is based on how many members we have. Each May the congregation approves a budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which runs from July 1 to June 30. |
| Mission Fund Our congregation supports several missionaries and mission programs. This support is divided between local, national, and international missionaries. The deacons prepare this budget and the congregation votes on it at the congregational meeting. The mission fund also includes money which members can use for short-term mission projects. If you are interested in participating in a mission project, contact a deacon. |
| Special Offerings, Supported Causes The deacons prepare a schedule of offerings. These include support for denominational and local programs, and for other causes. Giving to these causes is voluntary and depends on your interest in them. Any loose money in the offering plate goes to the special cause. If we have budgeted money for a cause, the offering goes toward that budgeted amount. |
| Benevolent Fund Through the Benevolent Fund we can help our members through financial difficulties such as unemployment or medical emergencies. If you are facing a financial emergency and need help from the benevolent fund, contact any deacon. |
| Faith in Action Fund This program allows members to reach out to neighbors, coworkers, and acquaintances who have financial needs. This help can include providing groceries, clothes, household items, transportation, etc. If you know of a person in need, let a deacon know. The deacons will encourage you to meet that need and will reimburse you. Small groups and individuals are also encouraged to use this fund to help pay for service projects. |
| Building Expansion Fund In December of 2005, the congregation voted to proceed with a large expansion of the existing church. Tell me more about the expansion. |
| Please make all checks payable to Brookfield CRC, not to a specific cause. Use your envelopes as much as is practical. This helps the deacons to accurately record your offerings. Quarterly and annual summaries of contributions are provided to members. If you have any questions about these statements, please contact a Deacon. |
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