Hi.
So here’s something I’ve been chewing on lately – should the church take up a public offering? This has traditionally been the case, but a lot of contemporary churches have the offering boxes or baskets set to the side where people can just drop the checks in when they enter/leave worship.
Why is this the case?
What does your church do?
Do you think it matters?
Just got your “tweet”, thought I’d click over and chime in. I think it totally depends on your strategy for how your services should be. What is that strategy. We don’t “take up” an offering at SSCC, but there is a very specific, intentional reason for it. Yet, we have increased our teaching on giving recently, and we do refer to the opportunities.
Our reason is that we want guests to not feel pressured or obligated to give when a plate or offering bucket is passed under their nose. We want their visit to be a free gift, in every way. We will educate our members about their giving responsibilities in members’ classes, and we set the offering boxes in places where people can see and give freely.
I like the concept, though I also like the fact that we’re teaching on giving more often. True, the church has a reputation of “asking for money” and “abusing money”, sadly (which is only the case because of the way some extreme folks have done and the media making sure we all know). But Jesus taught on money … a LOT. Why shouldn’t we?
I used to go to a church that had them at the door.
Now I go to a church that collects offerings the traditional way.
I’ve been in churches that require the people to actually get up and bring it to the front.
The third is my favorite. Irrelevant, I know, but I dislike the concept of leaving the offerings at the back for the purpose of making people more comfortable.
I like Fred’s comments that tho his church keeps it at the back, they teach more on giving. My church currently doesn’t really teach on giving (something that I really can’t stand for many reasons…one simply being I love the joy of giving, and want more people to know it).
I like churches that require the people to get up and give the offering. Surprisingly it’s never felt like you’re being watched for what you give or judged if you don’t get up. But the significance of getting off your own tail-feather and placing that offering on the altar is effective. Because when we (or I at the very least) give our tithes and offerings, we’re giving to GOD, not the church.
K, done.
Disclaimer: I am so not judgmental toward churches that take offerings differently than my church or how i like. Just thought I’d throw that out there.
K. done. For reals, this time.
I dunno. I’ve been to all three as well and I like the one where they are at the doors. Not necessarily the back. The one we went to had them at all entry points and you could give coming or going. Sometimes we would give online so that was cool too but I like that people aren’t all up in others business (option at the doors). If there are more doors or more boxes or places to give, then it’s between you and God. I do however think giving needs to be taught and released. Like people need to be aware of what the money is being used for. So many times its like no one has a clue. Its so mysterious. I never understood that. Like let’s talk about it….you know?
i’m not sure if this has much bearing on why we continue to do public offerings at lifechurch.tv, but we often announce that anyone in need may take directly from the buckets as they’re passed down the rows.
I have my bank send a check every month. Scheduling the payment allows me to not forget, and its one of my first priorities in my budget. Our church has a single offering box near the entry to the sanctuary. Switching to this instead of passing the basket did several things:
1) It removed social pressures which caused folks to give with the wrong reasons
2) It removed a distraction from a heavenward focus of the service
3) Giving went up. Folks gave cheerfully and of their own accord and they didn’t spend time comparing with others or only having a ten or some other nonsense which might have prevented them from giving at all
4) Envelopes for writing names/tax info on are by the gift box so accounting was a lot easier
Giving went UP?
My church sets aside the traditional way for offertory worship. I have not been associated with the other methods mentioned. I truly believe that those who give in a worshipful manner and with the sense of cheerfulness is not bothered by which method is used.
not sure if it “matters”. more just a matter of preference than theology…
yeah. that may be right!
I believe that a person should give for the right reasons and not the wrong reasons. I am not sure, but is that why some churches have moved away from the traditional passing of the plate? Give because God places it on your heart, not because the person next to you is staring at you.
My church currently has them at the back. They also give people the option to give online. We talk about money and how it is used, but it is, in my opinion, not the main point of any discussion. I do believe that people need to be aware of the impact they are making with the money donated.
As a side note, I listened to Pete Wilson’s podcast from time to time, and in December he taught on giving….coming from the stand point of trusting God. He walked through Numbers and Joshua…very interesting approach.
Our church has a public offering. I don’t think it necessarily matters how we take the offering. I do feel that it’s important to teach on the purpose of money.