A Legacy of Giving

Mission giving in the Church of the Nazarene totaled over $1 billion (USD) at the end of its first 100 years. Monies raised for Ten Percent Mission Specials add another half billion to that figure. This legacy of generosity ushers us into a new era in funding the mission of the church.

History of Giving

The inception of the Ten Percent program over 60 years ago was the catalyst that ignited local church support of the global mission. Since then, countless churches have been recognized for outstanding faithfulness and mission support, achieved by setting aside a percentage of their church income to contribute to the global mission.

Growth Spurts

As the denomination grows exponentially outside of North America, the Ten Percent program, which organizes and tracks giving to approved Mission Specials, has and will play an integral part in connecting churches and projects and individuals.

Ten Percent status is achieved by giving 10 percent or more of church income to others – projects outside of the local church. Beginning in 2010, all Churches of the Nazarene are eligible to achieve Ten Percent status – from Chile to India Maharashtra. Churches recognized for outstanding support in 2008-2009 include these Honor Roll and Faithful Steward churches. Read more about the Ten Percent program here.
 

You Asked, We Listened

Since the 1950’s, budgets were previously assigned to local churches based on last year’s expenses. By the 1990’s an official cap was in place, assuring that no church was asked to pay more than 26% (eventually 20%) of its income for allocations. Pastors, NMI presidents, and D.S.’s have been asking for a change for over fifteen years. In 2005, the General Assembly mandated the creation of a new formula based on a “tithe concept”.

 

Our Global Mission

There is a clear need for a new plan to fund our global mission. The heart line of mission giving is the World Evangelism Fund (formerly known as the General Budget). As designated giving grew in the 80’s and 90’s, the World Evangelism Fund steadily declined in relationship to what churches raise for all purposes. While gifts to designated giving are a blessing to various ministry sites and thousands of people the church is reaching, we must continue to fund the structure that allows these programs to exist with low overhead costs.
 

The “Tithe Concept”

Under the new plan, the World Evangelism Fund will be raised regularly in local Churches of the Nazarene around the world – in 155 world areas and over 22,000 churches. Based on income received in the offering plate, basket, bucket, or from online gifts, church pastors and treasurers will calculate 5.5 percent of the total and contribute it to the World Evangelism Fund.