Stewardship

Understanding Stewardship

Pledging and Stewardship at Trinity Episcopal Church, Asbury Park

1. What is Christian stewardship?

From an overarching perspective, Stewardship are the commitments of one’s time, talent and treasure in to the ministries of Trinity Episcopal of Asbury Park. On an individual level it using the gifts that God has given each one of us to do the work that God has called us to do.”

2. What is pledging?

Pledging is making a commitment to give a portion of God’s abundance in our lives to the church in the coming year to support the work of God and Trinity Episcopal Church ministries. Typically at the time of commitment we indicate the amount of our pledge and what frequency (i.e. weekly, monthly, etc.) we plan to offer our gifts. This is all done in a secure and confidential manner. Parishioners can make their pledge commitment online by clicking this link.

3. Why does Trinity Episcopal Church ask us to make a pledge commitment?

Pledging is one area where the spiritual needs of individuals and the corporate need of the church intersect. First, pledging provides people the opportunity to think about the place of God’s abundance in their own lives. Second, the church uses the total pledge commitments to assist in planning the annual budget which supports all of Trinity Episcopal Church’s many ministries.

4. Why should I give of my time, talent and treasure to Trinity Episcopal Church?

We believe that we are the Body of Christ and that God works through the church to do God’s work in our world. When we give to the church, we return the blessings of God in our lives and add to God’s work among us. In addition, the church provides us a spiritual home – a place to worship, learn, and serve. Those who are able have a responsibility to support the ministries of the church.

5. Why does Trinity Episcopal Church need my time, talent and treasure?

Because we are the Body of Christ, God has chosen to work through us because God calls us to give from our blessings so that we can accomplish God’s work. Trinity Church has an annual budget of over $$464,000. Over 60% of this comes from pledge commitments, a percentage that ideally would be higher. Worship, education, outreach, and fellowship programs that we offer would not be possible without the generous pledge commitments of our members.

6. Is giving as part of Stewardship a spiritual discipline?

Giving is a discipline that people of faith have practiced for millennia. Praying, studying the Bible, and serving others are disciplines that we practice because they are time-tested ways to gain strength for the spiritual journey. Stewardship through pledge commitments is another. Spiritual disciplines are acts that we choose to do not because we always feel like it or want to, but because they are part of our commitment to God, to each other, and to ourselves. Try each of these spiritual disciplines and you will find that your life is more satisfying and complete.

7. What, of God’s abundance in my life, should I provide as a pledge commitment?

Historically, the ‘tithe’ was the biblical principle whereby a person or family gives ten percent of what they earn back to God through the church (Malachi 3:10) “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing”). There is no expectation that one becomes a “tither” all at once. Many people start small, giving one or two percent and increasing the percentage each year. Figure out what percentage of your income you gave this year and see if you can increase that percentage when you pledge for next year. Even if you can pledge only a minimum amount, making a pledge commitment as part of your spiritual discipline of Stewardship is a great start.

8. Can I change my pledge if my financial circumstances change?

Yes. We understand that things happen. Sometimes people wish to give more than they originally pledged. Other times, they need to reduce or cancel their pledge. Please contact the office for this confidential discussion. There is no circumstance where one would feel separated from the love and fellowship in God’s church due to a change in Stewardship pledge commitments. We are all in this together.

Questions about giving?

Contact Jill Osis in the parish office at 732-775-5084 or Office@TrinityNJ.com