Pledging Q&A
Q. What is a pledge?
Each year, we ask all parishioners to make a thoughtful, prayerful and intentional commitment to financially support the mission and ministry of St. Paul’s. Some choose to make their commitment based on a weekly, monthly or annual sum and it is paid in a variety of ways through the weekly offering plate, online through an automatic debit or even through the sale of stock.
Q. Does my pledge really make a difference?
Absolutely. It often comes as a surprise when people learn that St. Paul’s relies almost entirely on the weekly offering of it’s members and visitors. Despite its impressive building, its beautiful music and liturgy, its impressive array of programs and educational offerings, 80% of the revenue needed to operate and maintain St. Paul’s comes from the offering plate each Sunday.
Absolutely. It often comes as a surprise when people learn that St. Paul’s relies almost entirely on the weekly offering of it’s members and visitors. Despite its impressive building, its beautiful music and liturgy, its impressive array of programs and educational offerings, 80% of the revenue needed to operate and maintain St. Paul’s comes from the offering plate each Sunday.
Q. Can’t I practice stewardship without pledging—by just putting money in the plate?
Because we depend on the weekly offering to maintain our operations, making a pledge tells us how much money St. Paul’s will have to carry out its mission for the year, and thereby helps us plan our budget. This is critical information for making careful, purposeful decisions about church activities, ministry and maintenance. And on a personal level, pledging helps to transform your giving into a spiritual practice; you make a commitment to God and to your Cathedral family and fulfilling it becomes a regular practice just like attendance at worship, learning or prayer.
Because we depend on the weekly offering to maintain our operations, making a pledge tells us how much money St. Paul’s will have to carry out its mission for the year, and thereby helps us plan our budget. This is critical information for making careful, purposeful decisions about church activities, ministry and maintenance. And on a personal level, pledging helps to transform your giving into a spiritual practice; you make a commitment to God and to your Cathedral family and fulfilling it becomes a regular practice just like attendance at worship, learning or prayer.
Q. Doesn’t the Cathedral have an Endowment?
Yes it does. However as a relatively young Cathedral, St. Paul’s Endowment is still relatively modest and currently contributes less than 5% of the Cathedral’s operating budget.
Yes it does. However as a relatively young Cathedral, St. Paul’s Endowment is still relatively modest and currently contributes less than 5% of the Cathedral’s operating budget.
Q. How much should I give with an annual pledge?
We ask each parishioner to consider making a pledge that is both responsible and significant based on his or her financial situation. At St. Paul’s Cathedral, the tithe (10% of your annual income) is held up as the Christian standard of giving. If 10% sounds like a big step, it is suggested that you start at a lower percentage – say 3% or 5% -- and make it a goal to increase each year. You can use this easy tool to help calculate your pledge.
We ask each parishioner to consider making a pledge that is both responsible and significant based on his or her financial situation. At St. Paul’s Cathedral, the tithe (10% of your annual income) is held up as the Christian standard of giving. If 10% sounds like a big step, it is suggested that you start at a lower percentage – say 3% or 5% -- and make it a goal to increase each year. You can use this easy tool to help calculate your pledge.
Q. How do I make a pledge?
A pledge can be made one of two ways: by completing a pledge card (which can be found in the pew racks) or by and returning it to the Cathedral Office or online though our “virtual pledge card” which can be found here. Upon making your pledge, you will receive a written acknowledgement letter as well as a set of personalized envelopes.
A pledge can be made one of two ways: by completing a pledge card (which can be found in the pew racks) or by and returning it to the Cathedral Office or online though our “virtual pledge card” which can be found here. Upon making your pledge, you will receive a written acknowledgement letter as well as a set of personalized envelopes.
Q. How can I pay my pledge?
You may pay your pledge with a single annual payment or, as is more common, through weekly or semi-weekly offerings received at worship services. The Cathedral will send you offering envelopes for your convenience, printed with donor record numbers to insure proper crediting of payments. You can also make your payments with an electronic or set up a weekly or monthly automatic-debit by clicking here. Finally, some choose to take advantage of certain tax incentives and pay their pledge through appreciated stock or securities. For information call Canon Chris Harris 619-298-7261 x334 or harrisc@stpaulcathedral.org
You may pay your pledge with a single annual payment or, as is more common, through weekly or semi-weekly offerings received at worship services. The Cathedral will send you offering envelopes for your convenience, printed with donor record numbers to insure proper crediting of payments. You can also make your payments with an electronic or set up a weekly or monthly automatic-debit by clicking here. Finally, some choose to take advantage of certain tax incentives and pay their pledge through appreciated stock or securities. For information call Canon Chris Harris 619-298-7261 x334 or harrisc@stpaulcathedral.org
Q. What if happens if I can’t pay my pledge?
You may change the amount of your pledge at any time. All we ask is that you let us know so we may correct your records. Simply call the Office of Congregational Development at 619-298-7261 x334 or email Canon Chris Harris at harrisc@stpaulcathedral.org if for any reason you need to change your pledge.
You may change the amount of your pledge at any time. All we ask is that you let us know so we may correct your records. Simply call the Office of Congregational Development at 619-298-7261 x334 or email Canon Chris Harris at harrisc@stpaulcathedral.org if for any reason you need to change your pledge.
Make a commitment today! Click here to get started.
