Washington Conference : Ways to Give

Looking for ways to give that make a difference? Here's a few ideas.

Tithe and Offering
Tithe, the first 10 percent of our income, serves as evidence of our covenant relationship with God and our desire to place Him first in our lives (Matt. 6:33). Tithe is used for the benefit of the ministry of the church and support of gospel workers.

In response to God's blessings, He asks us to give an offering out of our hearts as an extra measure of supporting church ministry in our community and around the world. Within the amount you give, the percentage recommendation is: 4-7 percent for local church expenses; 2 percent for conference ministries—evangelism, Christian Education and Sunset Lake; and 2-3 percent for world missions such as television and radio ministry, disaster and famine relief, and higher education.*

Evangelism Offering
The growth of Washington Conference's evangelism offering is nothing short of a miracle. In 2003, the evangelism offering goal was a faith-stretching $50,000. Today, the evangelism offering goal is in the $300,000 range. Members of all ages are stepping forward in faith to give whatever they can to further God's kingdom. The Evangelism Offering Fund provides for Bible workers, evangelists, public efforts, literature ministries, training and more.

Conference Ministries Offering
The Conference Ministries offering has three destinations: 60 percent for Adventist Christian Education, 30 percent for conference evangelism, and 10 percent for Sunset Lake Camp. Funds collected through this offering allow these ministries to expand and reach more people with the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Give Online

Stewardship and Planning for the Future
Stewardship is the personal acknowledgement on our part that God is owner and provider of all the basic goods of life—spiritual, physical and material. As Christians, we are called to be faithfully responsible with the resources entrusted to us by God. We are to manage God-given gifts of time, talents, money and the use of our spiritual gifts.

One practice of stewardship is arranging your estate plan and will. This allows biblical principles of stewardship to continue beyond your life. To talk with professionals and arrange your estate plan and other documents, call (253) 681-6008 or visit www.wcwilltrust.org.

Volunteering Your Time
The Seventh-day Adventist Church operates a number of church ministries on local, state, regional, national and international levels. Volunteer your time and participate in ministries such as Pathfinders/Adventurers, Adventist Disaster Response, Adventist Community Service, children's ministry, youth ministry, and more on the local level. Age 50 or better? Join SAGE Seniors for a variety of service activities including painting, construction and general clean up. Background screening is required for all volunteers.

Consider giving a year of service abroad (explore www.hesaidgo.net), participating in a short-term mission trip, or helping build One Day Churches (through Maranatha Volunteers International). Have disaster response training or a medical background? Volunteer with Adventist Disaster Response or Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA).

*Please Note: Adventist Giving is an online system where you can return your tithe and give your offering. Each church in Washington Conference has the option for signing up for this service (accessed through your church's Web site). By returning your tithe through www.washingtonconference.org, you are giving to the Washington Conference Church. The church where your membership is held will not be credited.

Treasurers: If you would like your church to be able to utilize this service, please visit http://adventistgiving.org/ to begin the process.