Why Should I Pledge?

Pledging a specific amount of the gifts you receive to the Church is simply a discipline. And as you commit to giving to the Church, the Church, in turn commits to be good stewards of your gifts. Although in this day and age many think pledging is a thing of the past. We at Incarnation encourage all members and regularly attending visitors to commit to the church by making a pledge. A pledge enables you to prayerfully discern what gifts you are going to give to the glory of God and enables the Church to budget appropriately for the many wonderful missions and ministries our parishioners, clergy and staff undertake on a daily basis.

First Fruits and Proportional Giving, which comes first?

The first fruits, as Scripture tells us, are the most important part of the gift. We give the first, the very best, of what we have been given, not what is left over. By pledging in October for gifts to be received in the next year, you are allocating the first fruits of your gifts to God.

Any regular, intentional giving of a specific amount of money is, in a way, “proportional” giving - the proportion may just be modest and even unconscious. The Bible states a specific obligation to “tithe” - that is, to give a tenth of what you have received from God back to God. One-tenth! Ten percent! The Bible sets the bar very high-maybe too high for most of us to think about at first.

We urge you to begin your commitment to Incarnation with a small step: Fill out your pledge card and turn it in on or before November 12. Each year, build upon that initial pledge by adding a percentage or two. The average pledge to churches nationally is 2.6 percent of income, and maybe that’s a good place to start. Over 700 households worked toward a tithe in 2007 and a few even exceed the Biblical “tenth”. It is from their gifts, God’s gifts that Incarnation continues to be a growing, thriving inner-city church. Grow with us in faithfulness to the Lord our God.

Your Personal Worksheet:
Last year my gift to the church was $________.
Last year my income was $_______.
Looking at the proportional giving chart, the percentage of my gifts last year was _______%.
After prayer and reflection I wish to increase this percentage by ______%.
The amount I will pledge as an estimate for giving in 2007 is $________.