bath & wells: mission

World Mission

How to Create a Parish Statement

1. It is important for a church to write down what its policy is so that you know why you're giving. Giving without meaning is not worthless, but it is rather valueless, and means that you and the groups to whom you give are missing out on a very rewarding relationship.
   
   
2. It is important that other people can see why you give - a well thought out statement can be quite an important Christian testimony to visitors.
   
   
3. It clarifies the issues of who you give to and which groups should earn a place on your list.
   
   
4. It clarifies for your church what you believe giving to be about, and how you should give.
   
   
5. It provides clear guidelines about the responsibilities and expectations of giver and receiver in the relationship you have.
   
   
6. It lays out the levels and type of giving to which you are committing yourselves as a church - if it's clearly written on paper, agreed by the majority there is less likely to be misunderstanding at a later date!
   
   
7. It formalises your church's giving; treating the giving as central to the life of your church and not the part that can be forgotten should it suit the treasurer or PCC to give less one year because the roof is leaking or new hymn books are needed.

1. Who makes the decisions about groups to be supported?
   Look at who decides at present - this is probably an uncertainty in most parishes. A rather hit and miss affair with no one person taking responsibility (or else just one person rather domineeringly taking the decision!). If you are going to make decisions on where resources go they need to be unbiased decisions. It is probably a good idea for this to be a group activity - decide whether it has to be the PCC or if it could be a separate committee.
   
   
2. Who do you support?
   Look at your existing giving and commitments. List all the groups, charities, organisations, individuals etc. that you give to and ask yourselves some hard questions.
   Do we have regular contact with these groups? If not, why not, maybe it's because it has no interest or relevance to the parish.
   
   Are any members of the congregation involved or interested in any of these groups?
   Sustaining a link is much easier if you have an individual or group within a congregation already excited and informed about it, as they have the incentive to keep the profile raised. This is also a good way for churches to show individuals that they recognise and support their work and interests. Another advantage is the use that you can make of someone's knowledge of a particular group's needs so that you can target your resources better, be more informed and better able to pray relevantly.
   
   Are they Christian?
   If we don't support Christian groups who else will?
   
   Are there any issues that should influence whether you support a group or not?
   Do you believe in what a particular group is doing? Is it a worthwhile cause? Just because it's a charity doesn't mean it deserves your support.
   
   Are you really helping the groups with the resources that you have available to give them?
   Don't spread the jam too thinly or it isn't worth having.
   
   Are you realistic in the number of commitments that you've made and your ability to meet those commitments?
   Target your resources appropriately and realistically. If you don't have the people to meet a commitment then don't commit yourself to it. Regular committed giving is better for charities as they have budgets too. It also encourages a more meaningful relationship between parishes and organisations. Don't be afraid to establish a long term commitment.
   
   
3. How:- Look at possible methods of giving; One off donations, loose-plate collections for a particular organisation or a combination. Do you only have the choice of financial giving? Is it possible or helpful to have specific collections of particular goods e.g. food (for a Lord's Larder project), stamps (Leprosy Mission), foil (the Scouts), educational supplies (a street kids project), wool (knitted blankets for various African based organisations). Also consider the appeal that different requests will have for the different groups within your congregation.
   Most importantly ensure that once you've decided on your list, the list is publicised clearly and openly, and the requirements clarified.

• 10%
• raising 1% each year until you reach your target
• whatever is left once all the bills have been paid
• giving on request
• giving donations from a specific collection or from a gift day
• giving before or after tax (private)
• whatever the treasurer feels is appropriate
• the equivalent of what we spend on luxuries?