Stewardship is our response to God’s goodness and grace in the ways we use our time, our talents, and our financial resources. It begins with the foundational principle that “the earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world and those who live in it.” (Psalm 24:1) Although stewardship is not limited to finances, how we use our money is an important way of expressing our faith. Nearly a third of Jesus’ teachings have to do with this topic.
The Church Budget
The Session develops and adopts an operating budget each calendar year, based on projected offerings and the ministry plans of the various church councils and committees. This detailed budget is reviewed monthly by the Session. Beyond the budget amounts, the church always gives a considerable amount in special mission offerings. (Click to see the donations from the last calendar year).
The Weekday School, whose budget is largely tuition based, works on a fiscal year based on the school calendar, August-July.
The Church Trustees oversee the investments of the church, manage the debt, and encourage the gift of generosity to the church.
Principles of Financial Stewardship
An annual stewardship campaign is conducted every fall. Several important biblical principles underlie our effort.
- Giving should be systematic and regular. Paul urges us to put aside a gift “on the first day of every week,” your gift may be weekly, monthly, quarterly or yearly. Regularity is the principle.
- Scripture says that “the choicest of our first fruits we shall bring into the house of the Lord,” (Exodus 23:19) Offering the “first fruits” of our resources is a way of declaring God comes first in our priority. We encourage people to make a yearly pledge (or declaration of intended giving) not only as a way of helping the Session determine its budget but also as a way of offering to God our first fruits, and not what is left over.
- Giving should be done freely, “not reluctantly nor under compulsion for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7) We do not “take a collection,” but rather “receive an offering.”
- Giving proportionally, perhaps working our way toward the biblical model of a tithe (“bring the full tithe into the storehouse…and see if I will not pour down for you an overflowing blessing” Malachi 3:10), is an important goal in giving systematically.
Stewardship of Accumulated Resources
First Presbyterian has been blessed by several bequests which have enriched our ministry significantly. For example, a bequest enabled us to do the bulk of the work the new heating and air conditioning system in the older parts of our building in 2012. Please consider making a gift or bequest in your estate planning as a way of continuing your commitment to the things that matter to you, like the church which has nurtured your faith. Copies of a booklet prepared under the direction of the Trustees encouraging gifting are available in information racks and in the Gathering space or here: Planned Gifting Brochure.
Stewardship and Our Young People
First Presbyterian believes that stewardship is an importance spiritual practice for all ages. View our stewardship resources for youth and children.
Making a Contribution to First Presbyterian Church
- Offering envelopes, either weekly or monthly are available each year. Contact Jennifer White, our bookkeeper/accountant to receive them
- Automatic withdrawal–Sign up for automatic monthly transfer directly from your bank account. Click here for 2 videos about Auto Withdrawal or connect directly to the ACH Form
- Donate with a credit card- It is possible to contribute directly through a credit or debit card through PayPal. Click here to make a donation through PayPal. If you are not already familiar with making a donation online, you may want to view our Frequently Asked Questions page.