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Frequently Asked Questions
How and when do I submit my pledge?
Each year in the fall, we have an all church stewardship campaign, in which members and friends fill out a pledge card and offer it in worship on Consecration Sunday. You may also drop your pledge card in the offering plate on another Sunday, deliver it by mail or in person to the church office, or submit your pledge online.
How can I pay my pledged amount?
- You may submit payments online using Paypal.
- You may sign-up for fund transfers directly with your bank.
- You may set-up ACH transfers by completing the ACH Authorization Form.
- You may place checks/cash in the Sunday offering or mail to the church office.
How much should I give?
The Bible teaches that while we ultimately own nothing, since all belongs to God, we should start with keeping 90% to meet our own needs and set aside 10%, the tithe, to do God’s work in the world. We can reasonably assume that it is 10% of our gross income because we are told the tithe comes first, even before taxes! LOPC considers all funds given to support God’s work in the world, even philanthropic endeavors outside the church, to be part of the tithe. Most of our members give a generous portion of their tithe to the church, but also have other benevolent causes they support. For many of us, the simple truth is that we have to grow towards the tithe. If we are currently giving a 2% tithe, a good growth strategy is to add an additional 1% each year until we achieve the goal of a full tithe. What amazing things we can see our dollars accomplish when we turn them loose for God instead of holding on and storing up. God calls us to be faithful now, and not at some point in the future. Personal Planning Tool
Why do I need to estimate my giving - I give regularly?
Our lives are defined by the regular practices of life and the commitments we make. Asking members and friends of the church to estimate their giving is a request for a tangible expression of commitment to Christ and his church. Beyond the assistance it provides the Session in effectively building the ministry, it provides a vehicle for each of us to declare ourselves and our resources for God.
I turned in an estimate last year. Do I need to do it again?
Yes, Session uses the estimates of giving received in the fall of each year to plan for the next year. Many times circumstances - either plus or minus - require or allow people to change their pledges for the next year.
I want to give my money to children...mission...music...youth...etc. How do I do this?
Gifts to the church are automatically applied to the annual operating budget and are applied where they are needed.
Does it matter if I estimate my giving yearly, monthly or weekly?
Our members and friends give in each of these ways, depending on their wish and custom.
What happens if my circumstances change and I need to change my estimate of giving?
The wonderful thing about giving that is based on a percentage of annual income is that if our circumstances change, so does our giving. What we pledge to the church is a matter between us and God, but we do have a church treasurer, Jim Fulford, with whom you can speak confidentially if you need to change your estimate - either up or down!
When do I get the envelopes for my giving?
Envelopes - weekly or monthly - are distributed in early January to those who request them. You do not need an envelope to pledge if you pay by check, automatic payment or credit card.
Are donations to LOPC tax deductible?
Yes. By IRS rules we will send you a quarterly statements that you can use for tax purposes. All our procedures are in keeping with various IRS rules and guidelines.
What about other monies collected each Sunday - and the free will offerings?
Free will offerings are used to offset the cost of that particular event or service. Loose offerings, cash given each Sunday, also go into the operating budget. The only difference between cash and checks is that checks are covered by IRS rules and can be used as a tax deduction by the giver. Checks from people who have not pledged are also covered by various IRS rules and we follow them exactly.
How do I make sense of all the giving opportunities at LOPC?
The main giving opportunity for members and friends of the church annually is supporting the Operating Budget. The Operating Budget provides the resources we need to keep our ministry going each year. During the year we also have special offerings to support various mission projects and disaster assistance needs. These are usually announced in worship and people designate their gifts to these appeals.
What if I have a question about how my giving is spent?
Each year our church governing board, the Session, puts together a budget that is based on our anticipated income for the year. The Session is elected by the congregation, so we are blessed with a decision-making board that is representative of the congregation and knowledgeable about the church. At our annual meeting each year, members receive an accounting of the previous budget year. Our Finance Team, Treasurer and other church officers regularly respond to inquiries concerning how church funds are spent.
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