As a fellowship of believers in service before the Lord, we at Candlelight Christian Fellowship believe it is our responsibility to provide an honorarium to our guest speakers and musicians. Additionally, because we have a strong desire to support missionaries, developing ministers, the support of their ministries, and certain special projects, we find it necessary to communicate in clear and understandable language how we fund and use funds in support of these projects and persons.
Therefore, as stewards of the resources entrusted to us, we have adopted the following policy:
Because we at Candlelight Christian Fellowship desire to allow individual members of the church to participate in the financial support of various ministries, we encourage them to contribute to special projects. These projects may be the support of local and transient ministers, along with a variety of ministries. This is done because we believe there are manifold blessings associated with giving and supporting the work of the Gospel. The blessing is to the giver as well as the recipient.
Because the methods and mannerism of giving can be discrete, we have chosen to explain in detail how we do our funding.
Candlelight is supported by the regular giving of its members. The money that is given is used for the general support of the ministry. Some of the money is set aside for a variety of special uses such as children’s ministry, youth ministry, missions, or outreach. However, most support for special projects and ministries is done through specific giving. This usually occurs at the prodding of the Lord, and occasionally by the request or directive from the pastor or pastors.
Honorariums
If we have a visiting minister and desire to support his or her ministry, we will provide them an honorarium. The church leaders will set a standard minimum honorarium that will be given to the minister or ministry, plus the cost of travel, hotel, food, or whatever is necessary in their specific case.
Because we want the members of the church to be enabled with the blessing of giving, we may suggest that a certain offering be directed to the support of the visiting minister. In this case, a set minimum honorarium may have already been set by the leadership of the church, plus expenses. We may then go before the church body and say, “If you would like to help support the ministry of our ministering guest you may do so by marking this on your giving envelope or in the memo section of your check”.
If we receive special gifts totaling more than the set minimum honorarium and expenses, we give the visiting minister the overage. If we receive less than the set minimum honorarium and expenses, we simply follow through with our original set minimum and expense plan having given the members of the church the experience and blessing of participation. By doing this we are offsetting the total cost to the church at the institutional level. Designated funds that come in from individual members of the church for the support of the visiting minister are used to supplement the pre-set minimum honorarium and expense the church leaders have pre-arranged, and then the church institution makes up the difference. Thus both the church as an institution and the individual members are equally blessed.
Special Offerings
Another method is a simple offering. In this case, all money given to a specific fund and designated for the support of a specific ministry is given toward the person, ministry, or cause. Some special criteria may apply in the case of a special offerings related to a “cause”. For example, if the cause is a car repair for a needy individual and the church has committed to the cost, an offering may be received for the cost of repairs. If there is a shortfall the church will pick up the difference. If there is an overage, the balance accrues to the funding account – in this case it would be the Benevolence Fund. If there is a special offering for a person or ministry, all money received would go – in total – to the person or ministry. At times the church as an institution may supplement the special offering to round up the figure to a desired dollar amount.
Ministry Development Funds
At Candlelight, we intend to and enjoy the opportunity to assist men and women in the development of their ministries. When doing so, there are times when financial support is appropriate.
In the case of financial support there may be a variety of differing methods employed.
Church Sponsored Ministries Under Development
Another method is a church sponsored ministry or minister under development. In this case, a set amount of financial support is provided by the church at the institutional level. For example: Let’s say that the church leaders set the support at $1,000.00 per month, and as stated above, because we want the members of the church to be enabled with the blessing of giving, we may suggest that a certain offering be directed to the support of the developing ministry or minister. In this case, a set monthly / yearly support may be set by the leadership of the church. We may then go before the church body and say, “If you would like to help support the ministry or minister under development you may do so by marking this on your giving envelope or in the memo section of your check”.
If we receive special gifts totaling more than the set monthly / yearly support, we give the ministry or minister the overage. If we receive less than the preset support, we simply follow through with our original preset support amount and have provided the members of the church the experience and blessing of participation. By doing this, we are offsetting the total cost to the church at the institutional level. Designated funds that come in from individual members of the church for the support of the developing ministry or minister are used to supplement the pre-set support the church leaders have arranged, and then the church institution makes up the difference. Thus both the church as an institution and the individual members are equally blessed.
Church Planting
In the event of a church plant the rule above applies. However, a special fund may be set-up to accumulate funds for future support. If this is the case, a designated fund will be set-up specifically for this purpose. All money given to that fund may be used only for that purpose. These funds will not supplement the developing ministry or minister as described above. If this is the case, a pre-arranged agreement will be made and agreed to by the Candlelight leadership and the pastor of the church plant under development.May the Lord bless each of us as we employ these standards. May He allow for greater and greater ministry opportunities as we faithfully bless His name!
Pastor Paul