Funding The Mission: A New Way to Support the Mission of the Local Church
"All Mission is the mission of the local church," says Dr. Stephen Dillman, former Pittsburgh District superintendent. Perhaps you would rather hear it from Jesus who said, "You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." We love to do ministry in our Jerusalem (our local community) but we are called to minister in our Judea (our district), our Samaria (our region) and to the ends of the earth (our world).
Mission costs money, but people love to give to the mission (note the singularity of this word) whether that mission is local or over the horizon. When the mission is communicated with passion and positivity, people will give. And by giving, they will be blessed.
The new formula for Funding the Mission is simple and based on the principle of Tithing plus giving offerings. For our mission, the tithe includes the District Ministries Fund, Eastern Nazarene College and the Pensions and Benefits Fund. Our offerings include World Evangelism Fund (Easter Offering, Thanksgiving Offering and Faith Promise), District Sunday School (SDMI), District Nazarene Youth International (NYI) and District Nazarene Missions International (NMI).
The tithe is based on the church income, which includes every contribution for which someone would normally receive a charitable contribution tax receipt.
Here is the formula:
Church Income
minus World Evangelism and Mission Special giving
multiplied by the following percentages to figure the TITHE:
District Ministries Fund -- 5.5%
Eastern Nazarene College -- 2.5%
Pensions and Benefits Fund -- 2.0%
multiplied by the following percentages to figure the OFFERING:
World Evangelism Fund -- minimum of 5.5%
District SDMI Fund -- .27%
District NYI Fund -- .26%
District NMI Fund -- .23%
For rare situations that might negatively affect the finances of a local church, contact the district superintendent for advice on how to request a Rare Circumstance Adjustment.
Pastors and Church Treasurers might find the Sample Treasurers Report helpful. Click the link to view or download the file.
Other files that might be helpful are:
Funding the Mission Information Packet
Funding the Mission Powerpoint Presentation
Funding the Mission Formula Handout
Funding the Mission FAQ (General questions)
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