This fresh approach to missions giving is allowing believers from all walks of life to take bold new steps of faith and discover new joy in giving for the work of world evangelization. Men and women are creatively cooperating with God to utilize their energies and skills to free new funds for world missions. Husbands and wives are becoming better stewards of their finances. Children and teenagers are learning and obeying the biblical principle that we are blessed to be a blessing. These believers are empowered by a fresh vision of their resources being used by God to help reach the unreached.

What is Faith-Commitment giving?
     The Faith Commitment Offering is a personal commitment you make to God to give a certain amount of money over a specified period of time for the purpose of global evangelization. It is made after you have sought God’s will for the amount He wants you to give. In Faith Commitment giving, individual church members--including adults, young people and children--are asked to prayerfully consider what amount of money God may be calling them to give for missions.
This commitment is for the cause of missions from our neighborhoods to the nations. There are many in our city who have never heard the true and only way to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ alone. There are also millions who have never heard of Jesus Christ or who have no access to God’s Word in their own language.

What is the Biblical basis for a Faith Commitment Offering?
     A primary text is 2 Corinthians 8 and 9…
          • Paul challenged the Christians at Corinth to make a special offering for the needy 
            saints in Jerusalem.
          • Paul sent his representatives ahead to help the Corinthians prepare to give the
            offerings they had committed.
          • Paul was to come later to receive the actual offering.
     A principle is established…New Testament Christians committed in advance to give an offering to help others in need. The offering would be received at a later date, allowing them time to prepare to fulfill their commitment. The offering of 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 was to be used to help people in need. The Faith Commitment Offering is likewise used to help others in need - those who need to hear the good news of Jesus Christ.

How does Faith-Promise giving work?
     It is a personal faith commitment. Every member of the congregation is challenged to prayerfully consider making a commitment to support global missions. This commitment is between the giver and God. God is pleased when you seek Him. He wants to reveal His will to you. Each person fills out a commitment card which describes the weekly, monthly or yearly commitment. This card is not signed. There is a duplicate side of the card which each person takes home as a reminder of the commitment.

Why promote Faith-Promise giving?
     Congregations which use Faith Promise testify that the missions awareness and enthusiasm increase significantly, as does the amount of money given for missionary support. The congregation’s involvement in world evangelism grows and, through it, God is honored. It personalizes missions participation through consistent giving.

Why should I participate?
      • This will allow our church to be more effective in our desire to reach our community and the world for Christ.
      • It allows you to exercise your faith in trusting God to meet the commitment you have made as you sought His will.
      • It gives you the opportunity to be personally involved in what is closest to the heart of God… His mission to see that all people will hear of His Son, Jesus Christ.
      • It allows our church to have the resources to implement an effective strategy in reaching people around the world for Jesus Christ.
      • You have the opportunity to “lay up treasures in heaven.”
      • It will ultimately bring glory to God as you embark on mission with Him to the ends of the earth through our giving.
      • Because you understand that God has given you life so that you could then take part with Him to give life to others. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” (Eph. 2:10)

Who should participate?
     Anyone who feels led of the Holy Spirit. It is important that, “Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Cor. 9:7) Consider it a joy to be part of God’s Global redemption plan!

Why does Faith Promise result in increased giving for missions?
     Churches which use Faith Commitment cite two reasons: First, it seems that missions teams (Export Team) do a better job of informing the congregation about the various missionaries or projects before Faith Commitments are made. Secondly, church members tend to be more involved and give more when they make personal and prayerful commitments.

Does Faith Promise hurt other church giving?
     All the studies show that Faith Commitment missions giving actually enhances other church giving, especially regular budget giving.

Where does the money go?
     It is expended by our church to the mission causes that our “Export Team” and church leadership believe will enable us to be the most effective for reaching the world for Christ. Appropriate portions of the offering are divided among the following areas: the International Mission Board (International Missions), the North American Mission Board (North American Missions), the Louisiana Baptist Convention (Louisiana Missions), Direct Missions (Our going to the mission field), and Partnerships (other mission-minded agencies and individuals). The Global Impact Faith Commitment Offering does not go to our general operating budget.

How do churches collect their Faith-Promise gifts?
     Each member gives as he or she has determined to give. The members place their offering in the offering plate and designate it “Faith Commitment Giving”.

When do we make the Faith Commitment?
     Throughout the month of December, 2005, we will give all the opportunity to make a faith commitment by placing the “promised” section of the commitment card into the offering plate. The faith commitment will begin in January, 2006. It will be received weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly. The amounts received will be allotted and reported each month.


Instructions for Faith Commitment Giving:
     1. Pray. Ask God to show you what amount to commit to Global Missions each month. God is pleased when you seek Him.
     2. The Global Missions Budget is based on the undesignated Faith Commitments turned into the church. Our church has also budgeted to designate 3% of the regular received offerings for Global Missions.
     3. When you give your Faith Commitment, please indicate on your offering envelope that it is in fact for the Faith Commitment. There are also “Global Impact Offering” envelopes available in the foyer.
     4. The Missionaries, Special Offerings (Lottie Moon, Annie Armstrong, Georgia Barnette), Projects and Trips that are supported by our church will receive the amounts designated in our budget as the funds are available.
     5. You will receive record of your Faith Commitment Offering in the same manner as you are notified of your regular giving.

Faith Commitment Giving (Continued)