Stewardship

2023 Annual Giving Campaign: “Grace Happens Here!”

Each year, members of Royston First United Methodist Church are asked to complete an Annual Giving Commitment Card as we make plans for the coming year. Annual giving supports the operating expenses of the church – our on-going ministries. An annual commitment serves several purposes:

  • This is a time for individuals and families to spend time in prayer, reflecting on God’s blessings, and recommitting to loving God with your head, heart and hands.
  • On a practical level, this is a good time to review your financial budget and make sure it reflects your priorities.
  • Presenting our commitments to God is an act of worship we share as a community, as we ask God to bless and use our gifts.
  • For the church, annual giving commitments help us set ministry budgets for the coming year and make the most of the resources committed to God’s work through us

Filling out your card is an act of Christian discipleship and an expression of your faith. It is also an investment in the lives of every person who will be affected by our church in the coming year.

Ways to Give at Royston First UMC
Share Your Estimate of Giving for 2023

We will celebrate our 2023 commitments to God during worship on November 13, 2022. If you are unable to return an Annual Giving Commitment Card by November 13, and would like to make a commitment, please use our Online Estimate of Giving Card or contact our church office at 706-245-7402.

Good Stewardship Practices Result in Great Generosity!

“Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.”
– 2 Corinthians 8:2

At Royston First UMC, stewardship is not simply a means for the church to raise money. It is a way of life that recognizes everything we have is God’s, and we are simply managing those resources while here on earth.

The Bible is filled with examples of grateful response to God’s generous gifts. The Bible also teaches about our personal responsibility to share with others and warns against selfishness and misuse of God’s economic resources.

There are four easy steps you can take as you grow in the grace of giving generously:

  1. Give Something. Everyone’s giving journey begins by giving something. It may be the change in your pocket or a few dollars each week. We believe the discipline of giving is a habit that is formed, and new habits start by trying something new a first time.
  2. “Fair Share” Giving. Everyone likes fairness. Fair share giving is calculated by taking the church’s total annual budget (approximately $350,000) and dividing it by the total number of members (approximately 270). This gives us a fair share value of roughly $1,300. If every member gave their “fair share,” then we would be able to fully support the mission and ministries of the church.
  3. Tithing. The tithe is 10% of your income. This biblical principle of giving teaches us that we are to give the first 10% to God and then live off the rest. Tithing may be difficult for some people, so we encourage you to move towards the tithe. Each year, increase your giving by an additional 1% until you have reached the tithe.
  4. Giving Beyond the Tithe. We also might call this sacrificial giving or generous giving. There are some who feel led to give above and beyond the 10%. This type of giving is mostly seen in capital giving, supporting mission projects or non-profit organizations, special offerings, and more.

United Methodist Approach to Stewardship

“Earn all you can and save all you can, so that you can give all you can.”
– John Wesley

John Wesley modeled modest living and sacrificial giving. Wesley made sure those early classes of “methodists” took weekly offerings to help others in need.

Today, we United Methodists join others to help all of God’s children… whenever and wherever we can – just as Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes when the crowd grew hungry. Through our congregation, we are the heart, spirit, and hands of God’s outreaching love. Life grows here through the joy of generosity.

Practicing Stewardship & Generosity

How can you learn and practice good Christian stewardship?

  • Set up (and live by) an annual budget.
  • Pray about giving regularly to God’s ministry and mission through Royston First United Methodist Church.
  • Model the humility and generosity God to which calls you.
  • Take a class like Financial Peace University for help with debt management and financial planning.
  • Establish a schedule to tithe 10% of your annual income, or begin by tithing one week of every month.
  • Give of your time, talents and finances to missions and community outreach.
  • Remember Royston First United Methodist Church in your will or estate plan.
  • Join the Stewardship and Generosity Team.
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