Taking the Offering

I don't think we have anything, other than the Treasurer's pocket, to put anything in right now.

At our old building, which we sold and vacated a year ago last January, we had an old wooden box, sometimes sitting on the table next to the door and sometimes on the table in front of the pulpit.

We are using another congregation's church now, and we haven't "unpacked" our box, but I think they might have a metal plate or something on the table in front of the pulpit.

I have yet to see anyone place any money in it in the year that we've been there though.

Most folks will either give their money directly to the Treasurer after services, or, if they don't know who the Treasurer is, to a deacon or some other officer to give to the Treasurer.

 

We pass the plate, count it, and if there's not enough, pass it again.

We do have an offertory Sunday morning and night. Any Baptist church I've ever been involved in has set aside that time in the service. The Episcopal and AOG churches I've been to have done the same.

I went to a church in Orlando, a non-denomination, Victory something. They have several waste high containers in the foyer that have slots in the top to slip in your offering.

Coming and going I saw almost everyone placing their envelope, a check or cash into the container.

That must be wrong because we don't do it.

 

We have a regular offering (pass the plate) on Sunday mornings and Sunday evenings after the 'altar call' and before Baptisms (if there are any).

On Wednesday night, we have a love offering, which goes to someone in the church who needs it. If no one needs it, at that time, it goes into the Missionary Fund.

 

We don't do that either, but I've often thought it's a better method. People are being watched as they give (or don't give). But I don't really have a problem with either.

 

I meant to say that people are NOT being watched if you use the box at the door method.

 

We take the offering somewhere in the middle of the service, before the sermon, usually accompanied by music. The ushers then come to the front and put the plates on the communion table, or if it is communion Sunday, on the edge of the platform behind the deacons' chairs.nPrior to taking it up, visitors are admonished that they need not participate unless they choose to do so.

On communion Sunday, just before the ceremony itself, the Deacons' Fund is collected in addition to the regular offering. This fund is spent for the Food Cupboard and those who come to us in need.

 

We felt led to change from receiving the offering as part of the service, to placing a small model of a church building with a slot in the roof at the back of the sanctuary. We are located in a very predominantly Roman Catholic town, and many are really turned off by the constant appeals for money. We have had a very positive response to this method. There is something to be said for receiving an offering as part of worship, but,in fact,it had turned into just the opposite- a deacon or usher waiting for someone to "cough up" the week's dues.Offerings received now seem to be more from the hearts of the people, and have increased over the past few years. We actually run over budget many months.

 

What I meant was this:

Pass the plate and everyone notices who is giving or not giving.

Have a box at the door (or what have you) and giving becomes a more private thing.

Yes, it's human nature to observe and judge. It's hard to work against that tendency.

Many years ago I was sitting with a friend for church. During the communion service I noticed her pass it up. I won't ever forget that because it cemented in my mind the reality that it doesn't matter who is watching me. It impressed me that my friend hadn't put up a facade just because I was there and could see.

 

We collect the offering on Sunday morning only. If there is a special missionary focus or a need in the community, we pass the plate twice. And there is always more than we need.

 

In our church, the plate is passed on Sunday mornings and evenings. But you would not be able to assume anything about an individual's giving, anyway. Many regular attenders put their contribution in an envelope and turn it in during Sunday School. Also, the biggest employers here pay twice a month, and many seem to give twice a month, therefore.

Karen

 

The last church we attended had boxes at the door, this was their offering for over 75 years. Never had an offering been taken in any other way. They got a new pastor that really couldn't handle it. He made many remarks about they've never taken an offering here, but if we don't get enough in we may have to. He mentioned one Sunday that he didn't want to preach on giving but if the offerings dropped of he'd have to - in short if God can't get enough in I will!

 

Remember giving is worship, not a collection of money. We collect it at the end of the service most times but not always.