Why?

Our most deeply held value as a local church is that we are part of God’s plan to reach all peoples and all nations of the world, drawing individual people into life-changing relationships both with God and each other. This is His way of “reconciling all things to himself”. So, for us, the big picture is that Christians exist in local churches throughout the world charged with the common aim of making and growing disciples, and that means spending money!

One of the pictures taken from the Old Testament is that the local church is God’s storehouse of plenty so that the gospel can be preached and needy people can be nurtured and fed from God’s provision. Malachi picks up on this:

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it” (Malachi 3:10).

Our answer to the “Why give?” question is, "So that God through our Church can bless the world.”
In our context that means starting in Bedford and then throughout the world where God gives us local partners with whom we can work. We budget to honour our calling to administer the part of the storehouse that God entrusts to us. We ask all who are committed to this purpose to bring your tithes and offerings into the storehouse so that there is plenty to be used in God’s purposes.

How Much?

Our advice on this difficult question is to consider the biblical concept of tithing as being a place to start.  We believe that everything belongs to God. As God enables, we could consider a tenth of our income as being a worthy and appropriate amount to give back to Him. Careful budgeting is required for this and all sorts of questions regarding lifestyle and priorities will come up in the process. God loves a cheerful giver – we are not under law but grace and it seems to us that Paul has it right when he talks about giving a sum of money in keeping with income (2 Corinthians 8:12) and to treat this not as an obligation but an investment in what is important to us.

So determine prayerfully with God how much you should give and give it regularly. For most of us the easiest way to do this is to set up a monthly standing order. Some people with variable income make an additional payment to the church on pay day – an excellent practice!

The UK government Gift Aid scheme makes it possible for all tax payers to allow the church to collect back from the Government any tax that has already been paid by you on your gifts.

For a Gift Aid form click here. For a Standing Order form click here. (to be available shortly).

If you want to talk through any aspect of what is here please contact Margaret, Mervyn or Bernice by phoning the Church office or emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it