Joining a church- how much to pledge?

[Anonymous]

Are we all giving to the church, or to God, from whom all blessings flow?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are we all giving to the church, or to God, from whom all blessings flow?

We're giving to the church so they can, you know, keep the lights on.

[Anonymous]

We give 10k-15k per year. HHI is 400k.

[Anonymous]

How much can you afford and feel comfortable giving? I give about $100 a month - it's what I can do and I like the programs the church has.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are we all giving to the church, or to God, from whom all blessings flow?

We're giving to the church so they can, you know, keep the lights on.

I stopped putting money in the basket when the church started keeping all the lights in the place on during daylight hours. A waste. I'm not footing that bill.

[Anonymous]

Which Presbyterian church is this, OP? We just decided on one and I don't want it to be the case that they're going to ask us this when we register.

[Anonymous]

If an average church has 250 families and a $1m budget, then the average family needs to give $4k/year. That's about $350/month.

[Anonymous]

Just about any church is going to ask you to pledge once you join. Usually the amount is left entirely up to you. But having pledges helps the church budget for the year ahead, which is better than hoping that whatever comes in via the offering plate will cover expenses.

[Anonymous]

Average pledge in our church is about $3,500.

[Anonymous]

Adding on...but most people start off giving less than that and increase their giving as they become more committed to the church (have kids in Sunday school or youth group, for example).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Join the Catholic Church and give what you feel comfortable with.

hahaaa. The Catholic church here had lectures weekly on tithing. And they would look up your name whenever you met with them to see your giving level.

Not my parish. The year I divorced, I maybe gave $1 a week and the pastor met with me on a monthly basis at my request. Half of us give loose cash anyway (not in envelopes).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. The point is they DIDN'T give any recommendation on how much to give! That's the problem! I certainly am not going to bankrupt myself by feeling pressured to give more than I am comfortable with, but I just want to get a sense of what's normal.

I think they wouldn't care if I gave $5 a year (they are very welcoming and warm) but I just want to know what other people are doing.

Look inwardly and give what you feel good about. The church just likes to know a pledge amount so they can budget, which is being fiscally responsible. I understand your wanting to get a sense of what's "normal". I find it helpful to think of it in how much to give weekly, instead of annually. We started out at $16/wk and are now going up to $35 per week. We also give more at holidays. Again, a lot depends on how much you have to give and your generosity. You also don't want to give so much you feel stressed out and resentful. You should feel comfortable and good about your decision. The amount you end up giving is really just b/w you and God IMO.
Enjoy your new church home!

[Anonymous]

OP, we give $2,500 a year to our Presbyterian church in DC. (And a LOT of volunteer hours!)

[Anonymous]

I pledge $100 per month. I make about $44,000. The amount was my choice and nothing has ever been said to me about the amount. I go to an Episcopal Church.

[Anonymous]

Before we formally joined our church, we would put about $20 in the collection basket each visit. So we have pledged the same, which works out to about $1,000/year.