Obviously, we are new to the United Methodist Church (a fact which still surprises me and worries me that I may in fact bust hell wide open while the 32 or so in heaven laugh and point at me). What I write I write from my view-point and it is not endorsed or otherwise approved by anyone. Aww shucks, I don’t even send to the speller check thing.
We used to tithe at our previous congregation, although, towards the end, we stopped that as well. In Church Administration class, the issue of tithing was brought up and our professor made a good point – when someone stops tithing, it is indicative of a problem, either physical/financial or spiritual. Anyway, we haven’t tithed in a very long time.
Upon joining the United Methodist Church, especially at the local congregation of Christ Church, we promised to dedicate ourselves to that community in several ways. One of those ways was to use what God has given us for the community as a whole. God has given me a good job, which pays well enough, etc… Part of our promise is to support our local church’s financial needs.
For those of you familiar with the United Methodist Church, you know that they have an annual budget. Further, Christ Church has launched a capital campaign aimed at expanding the church building, as well as updating it so as to continue to serve the congregation’s vision and mission in the community.
We have decided to pledge on both projects. So what, right?
We could tithe, but for some reason, the pledge, to me, seems to indicate a personal and individual vision. It not about God giving me something, a return on my investment, but about the fact that when we pledge something monthly for the next five years – we actually see ourselves being faithful to Christ Church as active members for at least the next five years. Abigael will be 13 (oh my goodness, I just wrote that), Landon eleven, and Sophia six. We will have enjoyed the youth choir, the classes, the meals, the warmth and I hope participated in various ministries in those five years. Our children will become a part of the history of Christ Church.
When we pledge, we pledge not only an amount, but the fact that we see ourselves as part of the overall vision of Christ Church.
For those readers who do not have a local church home… go find one. I might make your load lighter.
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Joel Landon Watts is a Masters of Theological Studies student with a focus in Mimetic Criticism of the Gospel of Mark. His interests include exploring the role of mimesis in human civilization, specifically in the study of religion and media, as well as science fiction and the way in which it has allowed mythology to be explored in light of scientific ideals of the past century. Currently, he is a TA for Old Testament at United Theological Seminary under Dr. Vivian Johnson, Associate Professor of Old Testament. His first book, Rhetorical Strategies of the Evangelist: Mimetic Criticism of the Gospel of Mark, is expected to be published by Wipf and Stock early next year. He is currently co-editing a book on moving from Fear to Faith (Energion, 2013).
The British Methodist Church used to require its members to commit to ‘responsible giving’ rather than specifying a tithe or any other proportion. (We still expect it, but it isn’t stated explicitly in the same way.) I have never tithed, and consider it unhelpful for two reasons.
First, the biblical tithe actually included payment for certain services which we would now cover in our taxes, health insurance, etc. Insisting on a tithe as ‘scriptural’ is exegetically unsound.
Second, it isn’t fair. It sounds fair – everyone gives a tenth – but in fact it is much harder on the poorer than the richer. A rich man may give a much bigger tenth, but the nine-tenths he has left is very much easier to live on than the nine-tenths of a poor person or pensioner.
It is also important to bear in mind that not all that someone gives to God may be given through the budget of their local church. My wife and I use our church envelope system to give a regular amount to the church, but we also sponsor a child in India, support a number of Christian relief agencies, and of course contribute to occasional appeals or campaigns. Perhaps we need to allow folk the trust that they are being responsible in their giving, even if they do not feel they can tithe to their church.
And, I get the generally feeling that Christ Church is the same way. There is no preaching on tithing, etc.. or pledging, although it does help to know what to expect. But, we are doing so with a good heart because of all the things that Christ Church makes available to us and to the community.
Joel,
Like you, I have not always been a United Methodist. Sharing our learning together at United is to me, another way of giving to God as it requires us to go beyond our means in an effort to move into a deeper and more intimate relationship with all of the scripture and teachings that will lead us to lead others to a greater and more personal relationship with God.
It was great to run across this post (quite by accident) and be able to respond out of school.
In Christ’s love,
RBC
Thanks, Roger! I completely agree with you and, please, always feel free to comment! Or even contribute.
As a child of parents who moved around a bit, I know some of how difficult moving from one church to another can be, though of course my experience and yours are different. I’m glad you’ve found yourself a church home. I imagine the UMC will be a bit unusual for someone with Baptist background, but your posts on paedobaptism, etc. seem to indicate that you’ve really thought through a lot of the differences. May God bless your experience with this new community.
I am trying to think through a lot of things, I reckon, Mitchell. For now, the UMC is what I need, that’s for sure.
Still looking, Joel, still looking.
I give what I feel I should give, what God wants we to give, but I don’t tithe. In fact I never have. The last couple of weeks instead of giving money I donated food to the church Christmas appeal.