Offering (Christianity)

The offering in Christianity is a gift of money to the Church.

In general, the offering is differentiated from the tithe as being funds given by members for general purposes over and above what would constitute a tithe.[1][2]

In some Christian services, there is a part reserved for the collection of donations that is referred to as the offertory. Historically, the offertory takes place either in the middle of the service (or at the end) and is collected by passing a collection plate (which may be fancy, or simple).[3][4] Other churches collect donations by placing a collection box reserved for that purpose (usually near the exit doors). More recently, donations are collected by electronic means, either as one-time or recurring items. The offering goes towards upkeep of the church building, various ministries such as that of evangelism, as well as to the poor, among other areas.[5]

  1. ^ Black, E. W. (1960). The Storehouse Plan. West Asheville, North Carolina: Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Connection.
  2. ^ "Recognizing the importance of storehouse tithing". Church of the Nazarene. 18 April 2019. Retrieved 18 July 2019.
  3. ^ Platten, Stephen; Woods, Christopher (7 January 2013). Comfortable Words: Polity, Piety and the Book of common Prayer. SCM Press. p. 65. ISBN 978-0-334-04895-4.
  4. ^ Phillips, L. Edward (6 October 2020). The Purpose, Pattern, and Character of Worship. Abingdon Press. ISBN 978-1-7910-0469-9.
  5. ^ Murray, Stuart (19 December 2011). Beyond Tithing. Wipf and Stock Publishers. p. 145. ISBN 978-1-61097-747-0.