Giving to

The Bible Talks

Background

The Bible Talks is an Anglican evangelical church committed to loving God, love one another and loving unbelievers! Since we were established in 2001, God has brought many to eternal life, we have all grown in our knowledge of God, some have moved on to serve God abroad or to train at Bible College, and our church has doubled in size with a growing staff team. To God alone be all the glory!

The vast majority of our income comes from donations made by members of the congregation. We encourage all those who consider themselves committed members of the TBT family to carefully consider their response to supporting the ongoing needs of the church. Tax refunds from donations made under Gift Aid are an important source of funding so givers who pay tax are strongly encouraged to fill in a simple form to enable the church to claim back the tax - form available here.

The most helpful way to give, if possible, is in a regular committed fashion. Many people find a Standing Order the most convenient way to do this. The form is available here which you can sign and send to The Bible Talks, Christ Church, Down Street, W1J 7AN.

2008/9 Spending

Our money gets spent across the range of ministries in ways and amounts which are monitored and controlled by the Church Treasurer, the Elders and the Trustees of The Bible Talks Trust. This constant review, as well as the presentation and publication of accounts once per year ensures we do our best to honour God with the way in which our resources are spent.

Our highest area of expenditure is staffing costs (including support for apprentices on the training scheme). Together support for other congregations (St John's, Chelsea, & Emmanuel Fulham) and giving outside the church e.g. to mission partners constitute the second largest part of expenditure, with outlay on buildings/equipment making up the balance.

Our projected expenditure for 2008/09 is approximately £380,000 which will be spent under the following headings:
   Staff & apprentices - 62%
   External giving - 20%
   Buildings - 9%
   Office & equipment costs - 9%

Why Give?
a biblical perspective

“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor 9:7)

One of the most concentrated passages on the subject of giving is in Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, chapters 8 and 9. It is worth taking the time to study these before coming to any decisions. Some of the key points are outlined below:

Ten principles of giving

• Sacrificially (2 Corinthians 8:1-2) despite our needs
• Generously (2 Corinthians 8:3-7) as much as we are able
• Gratefully (2 Corinthians 8:8-9) for the grace of Christ who though rich became poor that we might be rich
• Realistically (2 Corinthians 8:10-12) according to our means
• Equally (2 Corinthians 8:13-15) giving of our plenty to help supply what others need
• Properly (2 Corinthians 8:16-24) ensuring that our management of money is beyond reproach
• Actually (2 Corinthians 9:1-5) to ensure our practice matches our claims
• Freely (2 Corinthians 9:6-7) not reluctantly but cheerfully
• Confidently (2 Corinthians 9:8-11) knowing that God will always supply our needs
• Encouragingly (2 Corinthians 9:12-17) others will praise God for what he is doing in our lives.

What next?

Take some time out to consider your personal finances.
Pray – ask God how best you can support His work with the money He has given you.

You can download Standing Order and Gift Aid Forms here and return them to The Bible Talks, Christ Church, Down Street, W1J 7AN.

If you have any questions relating to the finances of TBT or giving to the work, please contact the Treasurer, Dave Plant.