A pledge is a commitment of financial support for the upcoming fiscal year. Typically pledges are paid in increments-weekly, monthly, or quarterly. You can give to the church without pledging, of course. Some people put money in the offering plate at worship each week. Others give in a lump sum at the beginning or end of the year. But we encourage annual pledging because making and keeping promises is an important spiritual discipline that fosters faithfulness and mutual responsibility. Pledges also help us plan more wisely.
There are many ways to decide how much to give. One traditional way is "percentage giving," calculating your pledge by a percentage of your annual income. This is a biblical practice-dedicating the "first fruits" of one's labor right off the top, rather than offering what remains after all other expense are taken care of. No matter what you give, the point is to discover and commit to a level of giving that honors God's generosity to you and that increases your joy.
How much you give matters; but the why of giving also matters. Here are some reasons people at St. Peter's give:
Nuts and bolts-We are self-supporting. Salaries, ministries, building maintenance-all are paid for from pledges. It costs a lot to support our community, carry on our ministry, and care for our buildings and grounds. And so we give!
Belonging-St. Peter's is not a charitable organization in the ordinary sense. It is our spiritual home. It makes a difference in our lives that other causes, worthy as they are, may not. Therefore, we give our fair share, and don't take a "free ride." We give to us, because we belong to each other.
Saying thanks-All we have comes from God and belongs to God. By giving generously, we thank God for God's loving ownership of our lives and we dedicate what we've been given to God's purposes. Giving is a practice of thanksgiving that over time makes us even more grateful. It opens our hearts to the awareness that all life is a wondrous gift.
Practicing trust-Giving generously teaches us to trust God's promise to care for us and the world. We want to see how much we can live without so that we can finally discover that what we really need most is God and each other! In turn, this leap of faith bestows many wonderful blessings-a simpler lifestyle, strengthened relationships, greater hope, and deeper awareness of God's presence in our daily lives.
How do I make a pledge? If you did not receive your pledge card in the mail, you may pick one up in the church office or print one out here. Pledge Form. When you have prayerfully considered how much to give, drop your card in the offering plate the next time you are at worship, or mail it to the church office. You may also let us know of your intentions by emailing Martha Goodwill at mgoodwill@spcathedral.com.