Tithing To A Certain Church Ministry?

I think the first step would be to address your grievance with one of the church elders since they would be in charge of the church's budget. It could be because there isn't enough of a percentage of the budget allotted to the youth ministry, or it could be that the overall church budget itself is not being met with the tithes & offerings collected. If the latter is true then it would probably be a good time for your pastor to preach on Malachi 3.

In Christ
Tony

 

It does sound like there's a budgeting issue. Do you have a stewardship committee you could take your grievance to?

It's kind of disheartening that so many youth groups seem to have to do a lot of fundraising to get their basic needs met.

 

In my opinion, it is your offering, and you have the right to designate where your "tithe" goes in the church budget.

Also, I agree with others, discuss the issue of funding with your pastor.

As a retired minister, I know that I would appreciate having a member bring these things to my attention.

Cheers, and bless you for giving to your local church.

Jim

 

The only ones in charge of the money at our church is the stewartship committee(until recently the budget commitee, they felt as if that name didn't suit what it is they do, we al agreed), you go to them and tell of your concerns. They are in charge of where the money goes. Peoople have given more then their tithes at church ,a nd then designated for someother ministry, like childrens dept( the ones who always got less at out church), and VBS.

 

Jim, wouldn't that then be the congregation usurping authority over the elders? That's assuming of course that you believe in plurality of elders over congregational rule. But IMHO, i think that could lead to trouble. For instance it could lend itself to "lobbying groups" within the church that would try and get members to designate their tithes towards their area of ministry.

In Christ
Tony

 

I don't see it being against Scripture. Remember though the early church probably did not have youth ministries, teen ministries, senior fellowships, prison outreaches, VBS, etc in the same manor we have them today. Granted the needs of the whole body were addressed, but not as individual departments within a local church as today's needs dictate.

So I don't see there being anything wrong with it Biblically except maybe for the thought that it would be granting more authority to the individual member rather than to the elders. And the potential problems I mentioned above would be cause for me to discourage this type of practice in a church.

 

Jim, wouldn't that then be the congregation usurping authority over the elders? That's assuming of course that you believe in plurality of elders over congregational rule. But IMHO, i think that could lead to trouble. For instance it could lend itself to "lobbying groups" within the church that would try and get members to designate their tithes towards their area of ministry.

In Christ
Tony

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I never served a church with elders, only pastors and deacons. The various departments of the church were established by the whole membership, by vote, at a Wednesday business meeting. The pastor is a member ex officio of all committees, and therefore, able to listen to a member and bring the issue before the respective committee.

I believe the congregation is the church, and officers are appointed or elected, to provide leadership and not to usurp authority over the congregation.

I think American churches tend to bend toward the Elder plus Deacon situation more than do Canadian Baptist Churches. This was always foreign to me, and I grew up with the idea that elders, pastors, bishops were all designations for the same function; the minister of the church.

Cheers,

Jim

 

Jim

I understand where you are coming from now. In a congrgational rule system of church government, I could see how it would seem OK to let the members designate where their tithe went.

I agree with you that "elders, pastors, bishops were all designations for the same function", but we would differ in opinion on the function of deacons I imagine.

 

Actually it should be up to the Pastor (s), the Deacons and the budgeting committee to allocate the funds equitably.

But, I'm sure if you wanted to make a special gift of whatever the church needs...especially around Christmas time this is a very lovely thing to do.

But, telling the church where they should allocate the money... you should tell you Pastor your concern...but don't expect that they will do what you say... believe that they will do a good job...and pray that the needs will be met. That's their job...one of the many...that God put them in charge of. Trust God. Pray.

I'm going to add that anything outside of your Tithe to your local church is called an offering...such as Missions or Outreach...and most churches will allocate your offering which is over and above your tithe to where you wish it to go. Ask your church if it's not detailed on your giving envelope in catagories.

 

Warm Christian greetings!

In my view tithing is an OT law anyway, and whether or not we tithe today is purely up to the individual conscience. If a brother wishes to give money to his youth group that is between him and the Lord.

Kind regards

Robert J Hutton

 

I've never been in a bapist church with elders. As far as I know, baptist churches have always been governed exclusively by congregational polity.

Joshua

 

As a possible alternative, and please feel free to tell me where you think this is wrong: I recently instituted Teen Giving during the teen Sunday school class. Their tithes go into the main offering plate during the regular services; but we pass around an envelope during the Sunday school class, and whatever money they give (above and beyond tithing, of course) is used for teen events, etc.

Won't be a lot, I know; but I've structured this particular teen class to teach them how to be adult Christians, not just entertaining them and giving them warm fuzzies.

 

I think you will see elder rule in many Reformed Baptist churches and maybe in some SBC churches that are part of the Founders Movement. I could be wrong though

 

I really do not see anything wrong with designating your "tithe". We did for some time to a Youth Camp that we felt needed more funds. No one ever said anything to us about it and I trust it went where we asked.
Our Youth does a LOT of fund raising on their own and do a very good job at it. They enjoy doing this and it helps other kids who can not afford to go on trips or buy needed things.
Also it is okay to give a little extra to them and you will see it multiply!
Love in Christ Angie

 

Thanks Tony. That's certainly not my circle.

I have seen churches where the congregation has delegated some of their authority to the deacons or to other committees, but always with the understanding that they are acting under the congregation's authority.

Joshua