Generosity Resources  | |
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My Tithing Plan
A Guide for Training and Reference
During November, My Tithing Plan will be sent to adult contributors
and Herald subscribers in Australia, British Isles, Canada, and the
United States. Additional copies (of the U.S. version) may be ordered free of charge by using the
CFO
Supply Order Form. Country-specific versions of My Tithing Plan can also
be downloaded at
www.CofChrist.org/generosity/mytithingplan.
The tracts A Disciple’s Generous Response, Tithing, and World Mission Tithes
are available to support you and can be ordered by calling Herald House at
1-800-767-8181, 1-800-373-8382 in Canada, or on the Web at
www.CofChrist.org/generosity.
Nearly 1,000 people in Australia, British Isles, Canada, and the United
States participated in a survey to collaboratively create this resource. Their
time and comments were greatly appreciated and used to shape the final version
enclosed in this mailing.
Key Teaching Points:
| 1. What is the purpose of My Tithing Plan?
The purpose of this resource is to encourage members and friends to
prayerfully and intentionally consider their tithing response to the grace
and generosity of God in light of their means and capacity. It is
hoped that disciples in the Community of Christ will see this as a
spiritual process that acknowledges the generosity of God and leads to a
tithing response.
Disciples are asked to strive to increase their tithes by 1 percent
or more of annual income each year, depending on means and capacity, with the goal of
sharing up to 10 percent or more of annual income. Help people understand
that “10 percent” is simply a benchmark on the path of generosity. The
spirit of generosity is what determines the level of response.
This resource is designed to be a personal and
confidential planning tool to help people be intentional about
their tithing response as a disciple of Jesus Christ. (It is not to be
turned in to anyone.)
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| 2. Understanding Tithing in the
Community of Christ
Tithing for the Community of Christ includes two portions:
Mission Tithes (the larger) and Community Tithes (the remaining).
Mission Tithes includes: Local (congregation and mission
center) and World.
We are asked to share the greater portion of Mission Tithes equally
between Congregation Ministries and World Ministries. The
smaller portion of Mission Tithes is shared with other Local and World
funds.
Community Tithes are a part
of tithing because we acknowledge the Christian ministry offered as an
extension of the church in Zionic community. Contributions to Community
Tithes are sent directly to the respective organization, which will
provide the receipt.
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| 3. Using My Tithing Plan
There are two primary stages in the
completion of this form. First is to determine the total amount of
tithes (front page). Second is to allocate that amount
among the various available funds (back page, including example).
My Tithing Plan is designed to be completed based on
the income/giving frequency of the person or family, e.g., weekly,
bi-weekly, semi-monthly, monthly, or annually. The Giving Guide is shown
as a starting point, with weekly giving as the basis. Encourage people
to modify the guide to their own needs and write in their income (Step
1) and tithing response (Step 2) at the bottom of the first page.
Note the rip marks on the Giving Guide. These indicate that
the guide is expandable in multiple directions to meet the needs of any
person’s financial situation.
An example of the Adams family’s income, tithing response, and
allocation to Mission Tithes and Community Tithes is given on the back
page. Space is provided on the bottom half of this page for each
individual/family to write in their personal tithing response (Step 3).
Using their own envelope as a guide, they can write in their Local funds
and Mission Tithes allocations on the template envelope provided (Step
4).
This resource can be used/updated any time there is a change
in income.
A children’s version is being considered.
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Educational Opportunities—Choose One or More:
Discuss the resource at congregation and mission center team leadership
meetings and priesthood meetings.
Create a mission center or congregational worship context, whenever
possible. Consider using the offertory time in congregational worship for a
number of weeks in a row to highlight some aspect of My Tithing Plan.
Schedule a class using copies of the form and one or more of the A
Disciple’s Generous Response tracts mentioned on the front page of this
letter.
Have copies of My Tithing Plan available in your tract rack to
give to those who need to make a change and for new people coming into the
congregation.
There will be people with unusual earnings issues like non-regular
income. Encourage them to commit to a base amount and give extra when it is
available. Be flexible but as intentional as possible.
Use your congregational or mission center newsletter to communicate with
members and friends about this resource.
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