I move that the First Methodist Church Financial Secretary provide to the Stewardship Chair and the Church Council Chair the following information:
Persons by name who make a first-time contribution to First Methodist Church.
Persons by name who make a single contribution, either for a special or regular offering, to the First Methodist Church in the following amounts:
$5 - $999

$1,000 - $1,999


$2,000 - $2,999

$3,000 - $4,999

$5,000 - $7,499

$7,500 - $9,999


$10,000 - $14,999
$15,000 - Above

If it is for a special offering, the name of the offering shall be included. At the discretion of the Financial Secretary, a determination may be made to separate regular, periodic giving from other types of giving.
Regular or periodic giving need not be acknowledged except annually.
I further move that the Pastor, Stewardship Chair or both be authorized to acknowledge such offerings, either special or regular (without stating the specific amount but using the above categories) by letter as deemed appropriate.
I further move that, at the end of year, the Pastor, Stewardship chair or both be authorized to acknowledge and thank individuals or families for their annual contributions without stating a specific amount but using the above categories, either by separate letter, or one included in the end-of-year giving report from the Financial Secretary.

Not sure I understand why you would want this?? Maybe I missed your reason? If I understood why you want the church to do this then I might have an opinion?

I would personally rather any gifts, donations or offerings i make to anybody anywhere just be done in quiet and usually anonamously. I dont ever even claim it on taxes. If theres any kind of recognition for any giving i might do, i would want that to come from the Lord in this life or the next. And i do believe that is biblical and im satisfied with it. God is a wonderful paymaster. And thats all i have to say about that.

he mentioned in the "church is a racket" thread that someone at his church had raised this motion but he didn't know how to post a pic..........I'm assuming he's copy/pasting that motion, not that he himself is suggesting it.

If anyone needs “recognition” for “giving to God” something isn’t right… just my opinion, everyone has one.

Yeah, that's not cool! If it were me I would tell pastor if my name ever shown up on a list like this, I would prevent it from happening again by making no more donations to the church.

I don't think donations should be recorded or tax deductible by the Church on an individual basis. If you giving that cheese to God why you need a tax deduction? If that is why you are giving you are giving for the wrong reason. If you want to write it off because that's the rule it should be changed. Rather... this is how it should go = Church should be non-profit and report financials to the congregation including all Salaries paid to leadership as well as the total payroll spend for the entire staff.

So I think it should be the other way around. The Church should be doing the "reporting" on themselves and directly to their congregation. Most public companies report similarly to their shareholders you should be treated the same as a member of the Church. The Church is a business in that sense.

I also don't think the Preacher or anyone on staff should know who in their audience is footing their bills. That is unnecessary for the job at hand IMO. No Tax Deduction Required. Jesus didn't ask for OR promise you a tax deduction.

I have ZERO problem with claiming church donations/tithing as a tax deduction....that's not why I give, but taxation already goes well beyond what it should and only gets worse every day....Any chance someone has to get some of their money back, I don't see an issue.

We get a statement from out church treasurer each year that we use when filing taxes. We believe we are to give and honest tithe (10%) and then an offering on top of that, so it can really add up in a years time. That translates to an amount worth getting a tax break on. We are to give unto Caesar what is Caesar's, but I don't want to give him any more than that. In theory, the break in taxes allows us to make an even bigger offering to the church.

Probably deserves a separate thread on that one Gomer... just my opinion on that particular piece.

I’m strongly opposed to this. It was brought up last night in finance committee meeting. If this passes I’ll leave. I was just wondering if I’m wrong….

Exactly. I figured out how to cut and paste. Lol. I’m against this 100%

honestly, I don't have the energy. see #3 in my signature...

I'll leave it at that

That’s my thinking too.

Yeah kinda getting Pharisee-ish with this. Praying in the streets, telling everyone you are fasting, it all sounds like what Jesus preached against while He was on earth.

I said the exact thing to my wife. Last year this Pastor had a work day after Sunday service. Planted some flowers, ect in the park in town where everyone could see them. Posted everything on social media…. Needless to say he and I don’t get along.

Mid year say July then again around Dec. have a social all get loaded adult beverages and all you can eat surf and turf DJ kicking some tunes strobe lights. All just saying thank you all for your hard earned money……. Pass the plate one more time.

My donations are made in cash, in the offering plate, nobody knows how much I give and I believe it should be that way.

So your church wants to “recognize” those who make large contributions?

Reckon how that makes the single mother or the family barely getting by feel when they can’t hardly put a dime in the offering plate?

Does the Bible say to do this?

Would God want your church doing this?

I hope I never set foot in a church that does this or even considers doing it.