HOW TO GIVE EFFECTIVELY FOR YEAR OF JUBILEE OFFERING

In early fall of 2007, the Elders at Chapel Hill Christian Church recognized that something significant needed to be done about our mortgage that remained from the last building project in 2001.  That project added our beautiful worship center and our outstanding pre-school area.  We have enjoyed those areas regularly as they have enhanced our worship and our mission. 

 

The mortgage is approximately $1.1 million and it was agreed that paying it down just by making regular payments would not be fast enough to allow us to build in response to all the great growth that is already happening.  The Elders tasked the Finance Ministry to study the situation and develop options and recommendations that would allow us to significantly reduce or eliminate the debt as soon as reasonably possible.  Those options had to consider a future need to build in a couple of years. 

 

The Finance Ministry completed its task and reported to the Elders in late fall of 2007.  The Elders decided to ask the congregation to participate in a major offering in the spring of 2008 to specifically pay down or eliminate the debt.  The thrust of the effort is to encourage everyone to search their hearts and determine what they could do to help by giving from their assets, not income.  While for some giving from income might be best, the emphasis is giving from assets. 

 

Everyone can do that.  We all have things we could sell and donate the funds, or just donate.  Some of us have things we don’t need or don’t use.  God will call many to make sacrificial gifts.  This effort is a way we can respond to God for all the blessings he is giving us.

 

So, how can you give?  That is between you and God as you ask him to help you find ways to participate. 

 

You might be wondering, “That’s a big mortgage.  Can we really do it?”  Think about it this way.  We have approximately 300 givers at Chapel Hill.  If everyone did the best they could, we would only need to average $3,600 to pay of the mortgage!  If we averaged $2,500, we would pay down the mortgage $750,000. Either possibility will position us so we can proceed with the next projects to support our growth and ministry. 

 

Some will not be able to give that much.  Others could give more.  That’s okay.  The idea is to pray and then discern what it is God wants you to do.  Then do it.  If we all do that, we will have a great day of Jubilee, or freedom, on May 18th.  Then the outcome that day is God’s and we can celebrate what he has done. 

 

There is no doubt the task is large, but it is doable.  Isn’t it exciting thinking about what God will do as we work toward May 18th, the day we get to respond to God in an amazing way?  What will he do with this church in the months leading to that day?  It will be great to hear the stories of people who found unusual and creative ways they let God use them, about people who were challenged beyond any challenge before.  May we all draw closer to God as we seek his will.  

 

Giving Strategies

Gifts that are given to Chapel Hill Christian Church are generally tax deductible.  We are a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization as designated by the IRS.  That designation also makes your regular contributions to the church eligible as tax deductions, provided all IRS rules are followed. 

 

You can contribute almost anything.  You can contribute cash, T-bills, and certificates of deposit.  You can donate securities like stocks and bonds, mutual fund shares, or other securities.  Gifts can be real estate, cash value in an insurance policy, artwork, precious stones and metals like gold and silver.  You can donate a vintage auto or other property too. 

 

In general, it is usually best to consult with your broker, tax advisor, or someone who knows the best way to donate any kind of appreciated property.  If the property has increased in value since you have owned it, it is likely liable for a capital gains tax consequence when it is sold.  That would diminish the amount that is available for the gift and reduce the tax deduction amount.  In many cases, if the appreciated property is donated directly to the church, the capital gains tax is avoided and the full amount is available for the gift and the tax deduction. 

 

For other property, it will help the church a lot if you can sell it and then donate the cash.  However, if necessary, or preferred, you can donate the property and the church will liquidate it and add the amount received to the Jubilee offering. Please do that, if you need to, before May 18th to convert the property to cash. 

 

Be Creative

Pray and ask God how you might give.  Then listen to him as you think of ways to give from what you have.  Be inspired.  Be off the wall.  Let your family help decide.  You could give a boat, a car, a motorcycle, a trailer, a jet ski, or other vehicle.  You could give old jewelry, a rental house, land, or other valuables. 

 

Look through your attic and see what might have value and sell it and donate the cash.  What about your garage?  Is there something there that could be donated?  Do you have old clothes or toys that aren’t needed?  Have a garage sale.  Let your children help.  When you start figuring ways to put your gift together, you might be surprised how it can be done. 

 

Encourage your children to help too.  Maybe they can make cookies and sell them at area events.  Perhaps they can work jobs in the neighborhood and donate what they earn.  It all adds up. 

 

Maybe you can skip a vacation and donate the amount you would have spent.  Eating out?  You could do the same with that money for a period of time.   Perhaps you can only participate, or choose to participate, from your income.  That is fine too.  Let us hear your story.  We eagerly anticipate hearing how God is working with you for our Jubilee!

 

If you need advice on giving appreciated property, call Bill Snow at 453-3355.