For many years now members have been encouraged to take the Growth Giving Challenge-- to grow in their giving by one percent annually as a reflection of their commitment to our Lord. We also encourage congregations to set the example for their members by growing in their giving to mission support beyond their congregation by one percent of their income.

But there are other ways to grow. Using the growth giving challenge, a member giving one percent, would take about nine more years to reach a tithe.

Some members, wanting to make a commitment to tithing, may consider that a bit too slow. One alternative suggestion would be to grow by $1.00 per week (beyond your present level of giving) until you reach a tithe or a sacrificial gift you conscientiously believe is God’s call for your lives. In other words, if you’re currently giving $50.00 per week through the mission and ministry of your congregation, next week you’d give $51.00, the following week $52.00 and so on. Few of us would miss the increase. In fact, most of us could find such a commitment rather easy …at least until we reach a level close to a tithe or beyond.

Such a practice, followed faithfully every Sunday, including those when one is absent from worship, would net an increase in giving of $1,378 per year, or an average increase of $26.50 per week for the year. Thus, if your giving began the commitment period at $50.00 per week, at the end of one year you would grow to $102.00 per week. It would enable our members to reach a tithe of their income much faster than one percent per year. Indeed, starting from $1.00 per week, in two short years, a member could reach a tithe on a $50,000 income.

A commitment card might look like:

My Estimate of Giving Because stewardship is at the heart of the Church, and because I want to be a faithful steward, I will take a step up in my giving.    I commit to grow toward or beyond tithing by $1.00 per week until I  reach $___________ per week. My starting point will be $______________ for next week’s offering. Each week, I will add $1.00 to the previous week’s giving.     I commit to grow toward or beyond a tithe by one percent of my income per year. My first step, beginning next Sunday, will be $_____________ per week/month.    I commit to grow toward or beyond a tithe by giving $_____________ per week/month/year.