What is Stewardship?
Stewardship is more than the giving of money in order to meet a church’s budget for the year. Stewardship is a theological statement of belief. It is a way of life based on a belief that we are all the beloved children of God. Therefore, we joyfully give of our time, talent, and treasure in order to participate in God’s Kingdom being lived here and now.
Reaching our goal of $1,000,000 in pledges for 2023 is simple, but it takes all of us! In order to reach our goal, we’re challenging each 2022 giving unit to take that next step and increase your giving just a bit. We’ve included the diagram below to help guide 2023 pledges. If we do just this little bit more, we will exceed our $1,000,000 goal. Additionally, if every giving unit that was unable to pledge in 2022 could pledge $500 in 2023, our 2023 pledge revenue will exceed $1,100,000!
Make your pledge here!
We can do this…together! Come be a part of the Million Reasons Why we love and support our church family here at First Presbyterian Church, Oxford.
Dear Church Family
The pandemic was like a bad dream. We will never forget the feeling of being estranged from all of society. One of the things we missed most was the church. Watching a computer screen is not the same as being in a sanctuary of fellow worshipers.
For more than sixty years, the Shaws have made their church home at First Presbyterian. When we joined the church in 1961, David was one year old, Robert was two plus years old, and Laura was five. Now, Sydney and I, both ninety years old, are among the oldest members of the church.
When we joined FPC, Murphy Wilds, a model of dedicated leadership, was Senior Pastor. Reverend Wilds was followed through the years by Stanley Smathers, Shep Crigler, Sam Marshall, John Semmes, and Barrett Milner–each of them an effective minister in his own way. We have fond memories of many very loyal, dedicated men and women from those early years who are now deceased. Early families still in our congregation include members of the Elliott, Ethridge, Hickman, Lewis, McCullouch, Neilson, Pettis, and White families. Fortunately, we have also added another strong group of capable church leaders to our membership. A look at the many beautiful/handsome children who go down the aisle on Sunday mornings lets us know the future is bright at FPC.
We have been tied to the church by regular attendance and participation and by baptisms, weddings, and funerals.
When joining the church, all members accept the obligation of supporting the church with their time and money. Feeling a part of the church includes both participation and financial contributions. Although we are now slowed by age, we did in our younger days participate enthusiastically in church activities, and we still have our financial obligation.
One reward of giving is the feeling of satisfaction of bonding together with other church members to provide for maintaining the church facilities, funding staff salaries, and operating programs within and outside the walls of the church. We find that church going and church giving are habits that make you feel better.
To make plans effectively, the church needs our pledges. Now is the time to make this commitment.
In gratitude,
Complete your pledge here!
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to make a financial pledge?
What does it mean to make a financial pledge?
A pledge is nothing more than a promise, and in this case, a promise to give. Year after year, we are asked, after prayerful consideration, to resolve what we will give – gifts of time, talent, and treasure – to FPC Oxford.
Why is pledging important?
Why is pledging important?
Pledging is more than writing a check or clicking a box. Pledging is an essential spiritual exercise, allowing each of us to reflect on the gifts God has given us and to show our commitment to using those gifts for the purpose of ministry, mission, faith formation, Christian fellowship, and worship.
It also models to our children the importance of making a tangible commitment to our church, and allowing a more fruitful connection to our church family and faith experience.
This year, more than ever, the church is needed for spiritual healing, for missional outreach, and for relational development. And to do these many things, we all must be willing to make a financial pledge to FPC Oxford.
Has the budget for 2023 been completed? And what is it?
Has the budget for 2023 been completed? And what is it?
The Finance Ministry Team is dutifully and prayerfully compiling a budget, which will be voted on by the Session and presented to the congregation at the annual congregational meeting. As in year’s past, we will be examining the areas that we feel are in need of additional resources and those areas from which resources may be shifted. Areas that we would like to see continued to be developed include involving our membership in mission and outreach, enhancement and preservation of our historic and sacred space, maintaining our standard of excellence in music ministry, and creating a robust children’s and youth ministry under the direction
of our new director of faith formation, Dave Garvey.
To this end, we will be examining how additional personnel might assist in shaping these great endeavors.
Who should make a financial pledge to the church?
Who should make a financial pledge to the church?
Everyone! We are all members of this great congregation, and it takes the gifts of all to make it what it is. Young and old alike are encouraged to participate. What a wonderful thing it is to know that we are all contributors to the success and growth of our church.
How much should I pledge?
How much should I pledge?
There are many ways to decide how much to give.
The most important thing is that we give in gratitude, remembering all that God has done and continues to do in our lives. As the Apostle Paul tells us, “Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Remember, this is a biblical practice—dedicating the “first fruits” of our labor right off the top, rather than offering what remains after all other expenses are taken care of.
For many, proportionate giving—giving a set percentage of our income back to God for God’s work—can be very helpful in establishing an amount to give.
If you currently do not pledge but contribute by putting money into the Sunday offering plate, you might consider pledging a percentage of that amount this year. If you’ve never tried proportionate giving before, why not start at 2% of your income? If you are already pledging, please consider increasing your pledge 10% for the coming year.
What if I need to change my pledge amount?
What if I need to change my pledge amount?
In order to change a pledge, you simply phone the church office and speak with the office administrator.
What are the different methods for submitting my pledge?
What are the different methods for submitting my pledge?
You may return the pledge card in the stamped pre- addressed envelope, place it in the offering plate or in the locked boxes in the narthex or church office, or you may enter your pledge on the website link.
If my current pledge is set up on bank draft or recurring credit card payment, do I still need to fill out a pledge card?
If my current pledge is set up on bank draft or recurring credit card payment, do I still need to fill out a pledge card?
Yes, please carefully consider what you are called to do in 2023 and complete a new pledge card so we will have an accurate record.
What else am I being asked to consider?
What else am I being asked to consider?
We would like every member to consider how to use their unique gifts and grow in their faith through meaningful involvement at FPC. The pledge card includes the opportunity for you to share your gifts with the various ministry opportunities.
