Q. What is a pledge? Why not just give when I can?
A. A pledge is simply an estimate of what you expect to give to support the church’s mission and ministry in the year to come! But, it has two very important benefits: (1) Pledging allows the church to budget and make bold decisions about our mission and ministry; and (2) Pledging helps to transform our giving into a spiritual practice by making your giving more intentional and more regular – just like daily prayer or weekly worship. By giving intentionally and regularly rather than randomly, we reinforce for ourselves that God is a priority in our life.
Q. How much should I pledge? What is a tithe?
A. Start with prayer. Consider the many blessings of your life, all the ways the church helps you grow in faith, and how we make a difference in the world. Ask if your giving reflects your standard of living? One way Christians have answered that question is to “tithe”; that is, give 10% of your income. If that seems like a stretch at first, consider starting at 5% or even 3%.
Q.Christ Church Cranbrook seems like a big place; does my pledge really make a difference?
A. Yes! More than 60% of our budget (our staff, our programs, and mission in the community) are supported by your pledges! Like your family, our church family relies on all of us playing a role. Every pledge matters, and every pledge counts.
Q. How can I pay my pledge?
A. You can pay your pledge through the weekly offering, online with a debit/credit card, or through a weekly or monthly automatic debit. You can also pay your pledge through appreciate securities or stock, which can offer tax savings. Contact Gina Morgan at gmorgan@christchurchcranbrook.org for more info!
Q. What if I can’t pay my pledge, or need to reduce it?
A. Life happens, things change! And we sometimes have to reduce or even cancel our pledge. We completely understand, and you have our blessing when situations like these come up. Simply let Gina Morgan at gmorgan@christchurchcranbrook.org know if you ever have to adjust your pledge.
Each Fall, we ask everyone who considers CCC to be their spiritual home to make a pledge to support our mission and ministry in the coming year. At all services the weekend of November 22 and 23, we will to come forward as a community to place pledges on God’s altar to be blessed.
The Pledging Deadline is November 23! You can make your pledge in church at any service this weekend or online anytime here: christchurchcranbrook.org/pledge
Questions? Contact Father Chris: charris@christchurchcranbrook.org