What is the goal of the 2017 Pledge Campaign?
Our goal for the 2017 Pledge Campaign is two-fold:
- After prayerful consideration, we would like each member who has pledged in the past to update their pledge to reflect how God is calling them to use their resources this year, and
- We would like every member who did not pledge last year to make a commitment to do so this year.
Why should I pledge if I already give?
The act of pledging is an important spiritual practice which enables you to grow in gratitude and generosity. Pledging allows you to make intentional decisions about your financial giving. When you plan ahead for your giving, you make conscious choices about spending your money in ways that reflect your faith and values. This enables you to decide, in advance, how much to give to God rather than giving whatever is left over.
Funds collected in the plate each week do significantly support Asbury’s ministry and mission, and are greatly appreciated. However, pledges are critical because they enable our Church Council to plan responsibly and to establish an operating budget for the coming year, just as you might establish a personal budget based on your expected income.
Receiving your pledge allows our Church Council to do for our church community what you do for your household: plan wisely for the use of our resources in support of the mission and ministry to which God has called us. The Church Council sets a budget based on the total amount pledged to the church. While plate offerings are important to the church, your pledge lets the Church Council plan more accurately for the ministry we can accomplish.
How much should I pledge?
"Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7)
The Old Testament (Deuteronomy 14:22-29) underlies the tradition of the "tithe," our forebears giving back to God, off the top, 10 percent of their annual harvest or income. Some Asbury members commit to 10 percent, or more. We also know that many of us may find that standard daunting at first. So, other Asbury pledgers instead commit to "proportional giving," pledging a specific percentage of their income (2 or 4 or 6 percent), hoping to grow over time to a 10 percent tithe. If you would like to make a proportional pledge or tithe, the ANNUAL PROPORTIONAL GIVING CHART may be helpful.
Our hope is that everyone at Asbury will pledge some amount. A pledge is a first and important step for each of us on the path of gratitude and generosity. If you currently do not pledge but contribute by putting money into the Sunday offering plate, you might consider pledging a percentage of that amount this year. If you’ve never tried proportionate giving before, why not start at 2% of your income? If you are already pledging, please consider “moving up one step” on the ANNUAL PROPORTIONAL GIVING CHART.
What happens if I can’t give as much as I pledged?
We suggest that you pledge responsibly, based on your estimate of the year's income. While it's a commitment to your church, your pledge is not legally binding. A pledge can be adjusted throughout the year if your circumstances change.
If I want to pledge, how do I do it?
Complete a commitment card and either drop it in the offering plate on pledge Sunday or mail it to the church office Asbury UMC 78 Church Road, Arnold, MD 21012 to the attention of Teresa Lynch, Financial Secretary. Or, complete the online commitment card.
Can I pledge later then pledge Sunday?
Yes, we welcome pledges at any time of the year. The closer pledges come to pledge Sunday, the more solid a budget the Church Council can plan for our fiscal year beginning in January.
I pledged last year and I plan to donate the same amount this year. Do I need to pledge again, or will you just assume that I will continue to donate the same amount?
You should renew or update your pledge each year. If you are currently donating by recurring electronic funds transfer, payments will continue at the same level until you make a change. Nevertheless, we ask that you complete a commitment card so that we may know that you have made a commitment for 2017.
How can I pay my pledge?
You can pay by check by placing your offering in the offering plate in church or by mailing a check to the church office. Offering envelopes are provided to those who request them. You can also use the offering envelopes for cash offerings.
You can set up a recurring electronic funds transfer for your offering. You can access the Online Donation Page from the Donate tab of the Asbury web site. With electronic funds transfer, you reinforce your commitment to give your offerings to God first, before anything else. One simple step ensures that Asbury will receive your gifts on a regular basis even if you are out of town.
The Online Donation Page has a number of options. Which do I select?
For recurring donations, you must first create a profile so select the Create Profile option.
I previously signed up for a recurring electronic funds transfer. How do I make changes to it?
Once you authorize a recurring withdrawal, it will continue until you change it. If you do nothing, the same recurring donation will automatically continue. If you want to increase or decrease the amount of the recurring donation, change the frequency of your donation, or change the account charged for the donation, you must make the change online. You can access the Online Donation Page from the Donate tab of the Asbury web site.
What happens to the money I give?
Your pledge supports everything we do at Asbury -- worship, pastoral care, education programs, our social-outreach programs, maintenance of our beloved buildings, and more.
Additionally, part of your pledge supports the global missions of the United Methodist Church.
Is my donation tax deductible?
Yes, it is tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. You will receive a statement in the first quarter of the year that details all the donations you made to the church in the previous year.
