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...while the church body may not be merely the building/staff, it certainly does make my Sunday better to have heat or AC on in said building....Not to mention having that Secretary to keep track of the tax info, and the cleaning staff to make sure the bathroom is ready for my many pregnant trips. - sure I could worship God without those, but I would rather not.
I do feel that my church wastes some money, but I also feel the majority of their decisions are good ones. If I did not agree with the financial decisions of the church in a large degree I would either invest time in the stewardship team or find a better church.
I get Sunday school, a building for Sunday worship, support for my sons scouts (and girl scouts, though my daughter is not yet in), many non Sunday events (Lent or Fall, and whatnot) Plus music classes all for 'free'. If I had more than a small amount to give I would also seek out other spots to donate, but right now, 10% is a goal and is not much more than my share of the operating costs of the church. (and I do donate to other places as well on a haphazard basis) Oh I also did get the visit when my husband had surgery and I know if I needed other services they would be there, free of charge. My church is there for me, and there for folks I care about. Why wouldn't I support that?
I know of a church in Pa that is running a constant risk of having to shut it's doors, because the members do not donate consistently... and so the heat there is set cold even for me, they do not have the resources to offer a children's Sunday school, and cannot provide help for anyone outside the visit/talks with the pastor. I think a few dollars a member would be enough to pay the bills...but tithing is too restricting for many..me I would rather send it and forget it, than have to constantly evaluate how I feel Sunday morning when the basket comes around!
I figure 10% isn't a magic number, but it certainly is a simple goal.
I do feel that my church wastes some money, but I also feel the majority of their decisions are good ones. If I did not agree with the financial decisions of the church in a large degree I would either invest time in the stewardship team or find a better church.
I get Sunday school, a building for Sunday worship, support for my sons scouts (and girl scouts, though my daughter is not yet in), many non Sunday events (Lent or Fall, and whatnot) Plus music classes all for 'free'. If I had more than a small amount to give I would also seek out other spots to donate, but right now, 10% is a goal and is not much more than my share of the operating costs of the church. (and I do donate to other places as well on a haphazard basis) Oh I also did get the visit when my husband had surgery and I know if I needed other services they would be there, free of charge. My church is there for me, and there for folks I care about. Why wouldn't I support that?
I know of a church in Pa that is running a constant risk of having to shut it's doors, because the members do not donate consistently... and so the heat there is set cold even for me, they do not have the resources to offer a children's Sunday school, and cannot provide help for anyone outside the visit/talks with the pastor. I think a few dollars a member would be enough to pay the bills...but tithing is too restricting for many..me I would rather send it and forget it, than have to constantly evaluate how I feel Sunday morning when the basket comes around!
I figure 10% isn't a magic number, but it certainly is a simple goal.
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