Purpose of the Stewardship and Finance Committee

The Stewardship and Finance Committee is responsible to the congregation for enabling our church to fulfill its mission of going into the world, teaching the gospel, and making disciples for Jesus.  This is done by coordinating and collecting the needed time, talent, and treasure of our congregation in order that we may change lives for God’s glory.  If you would like to help us change lives for God’s glory, please contact the church office at (563) 355-6494 for more information.

Leadership and Membership

The Stewardship and Finance Committee is normally led by the Stewardship and Finance Elder.  Membership on the committee includes the Stewardship and Finance Elder, the Church Treasurer, the Accounts Receivable Chairman, and other elders and members willing to serve the stewardship and finance needs of God’s kingdom at Bettendorf Presbyterian Church.  Contact the church office at (563) 355-6494 for a current list of members or other information about the committee.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scriptures for Stewardship (Why give?)

God commands all who believe in Him to give and give generously; of our time, talent, and treasure.  This is to show our obedience to and love for God and it is how we can help obey the great commission from Matthew 28:18-20 listed below.  This is our purpose, to use our time, talent, and treasure to change lives for God’s glory.  Listed below from the New International Version of the Bible are just a few of the scripture passages that you may want to pray about in order to decide upon the amount of treasure that God has given you that you want to return to God.

Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

2 Corinthians 9:6-8  “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

Proverbs 11:24-25  “ One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.  A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”

Malachi 3:10  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 there will not be room enough to store it.”

Matthew 6:24  “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

Matthew 24:36-42 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.  As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.  For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark;  and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come”.

Luke 21:1-4  As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury.  He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins.  “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others.  All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

1 Timothy 6:6-10 But godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.  But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.   Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Matthew 6:19-21  “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Genesis 14:17-20  “After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).   Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.  And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.’  Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.”

Exodus 25:2  Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from everyone whose heart prompts them to give.

Leviticus 27:30-32  “‘A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.  Whoever would redeem any of their tithe must add a fifth of the value to it.  Every tithe of the herd and flock—every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd’s rod—will be holy to the Lord.

 

Prayers for Stewardship (Asking God for Generosity)

One of the duties of the Stewardship and Finance Committee is to pray for the financial health and stewardship of our church.  We are always looking for help in this regard and would covet all prayers for the same.  Feel free to use your own prayer or add the prayer that we use listed below to your daily prayers.

Glorious and gracious God, we praise you for your power, mercy, and grace.  We as attendees of Bettendorf Presbyterian Church are poor sinners only made worthy by your Son’s sacrifice and your amazing grace.  We pray that you will send your Spirit to teach, guide, and mold us into the compassionate, caring, generous, and devout Christians that you would have us be.  We pray that through your Spirit’s work in us that we can create a church and environment that draws others to you and reflects your glory. Specifically, we pray for generosity of the financial gifts that You have given us and for generosity of the time and talents You have given us.  We pray that You will lead us to use those gifts to further your kingdom and that all the glory would be Yours.  May You guide and sustain us in this endeavor.  In Jesus’ name we pray.

 

Changing Lives (Why We Give)

The Stewardship and Finance Committee works with the Mission Concerns Committee to provide real life examples of how our time, talent, and or treasure have changed lives.  We are always looking for human interest stories of the difference we can make in the lives of others to share with the congregation.  These stories put a personal face on our mission and show the impact that we can have when we are generous with our time, talent, and treasure.

If you have a story you would be willing to share about how you or someone else’s life was changed by our church or a church member, please call the church office at (563) 355-6494.  They will put you in touch with someone who will help you share your story, either in person or through others.  Thank you in advance for your faithfulness.

 

Opportunities to Serve (Ways to Help Change Lives)

Periodically, the Stewardship and Finance Committee coordinates the collection of information from our congregation regarding willingness to serve in various areas of our ministry.  This information supplies those responsible for a particular ministry a list of people to call for assistance.  The information is also a good way for a member to learn the number of ministries our church supports and plug into where their gifts may take them.  When these lists are passed out at church, please take the time to prayerfully and thoughtfully fill them out and return them to the church office.

 

Accounts Payable (Providing Treasure to Change Lives)

The Church Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer are responsible for the daily financial record keeping of the church.  They pay the bills and salaries of the church and file all the required government reports.  They provide the session and congregation with monthly and annual financial reports.  They are also instrumental in setting annual budgets.  They work very closely with the Accounts Receivable Team and church auditors.  They faithfully serve many hours with little recognition in this behind the scene role.

 

Accounts Receivable (Recording God’s Gifts of Treasure)

Another behind the scenes role is served by the Accounts Receivable Team.  The Accounts Receivable Chair leads the Accounts Receivable Team.  They are responsible for collecting, recording, and depositing all of the donations and contributions that are received at each service and at other times.  This is all done on a confidential basis by recording contributions by envelope number.  Only the Accounts Receivable Chair and the Church Treasurer and Assistant Treasure have access to what name matches what envelope number.  This team is also responsible for providing needed receipts for tax purposes on a quarterly basis.  Contact the church office to obtain envelopes for giving at (563) 355-6494.

 

Consecration Sunday (Celebrating Changed Lives)

Annually, usually in November, the Stewardship and Finance Committee plans, organizes, and conducts our Consecration Sunday.  This is the day that we as a congregation bring our Estimate of Giving cards and present them to the Lord.  These cards outline what we expect to contribute, from a financial standpoint, to God’s mission at Bettendorf Presbyterian Church for the coming year.  The treasurer uses these cards to build a data based estimate of income for the next year.   This step is critical to the session’s ability to build an intelligent fiscal budget for the next year.  The results of these cards will set the plan for increasing or decreasing our ministry and mission for the next year.

After the cards are presented to the Lord and consecrated, we gather in Fellowship Hall for a celebration feast.  This is to celebrate the Lord’s bounty and to thank Him for His faithfulness.   The committee is always responsible for set up, clean up, and normally provides the meat for a pot luck.  To provide assistance with any of this, please contact the church office at (563) 355-6494.

If you have not had a chance to fill out an Estimate of Giving Card for this year, please follow the link (Estimate of Giving) and print out a copy.  After filling out, please return to the church office.

 

Auditing (Ensuring That God’s Gifts Are Used to Changes Lives)

Audits or reviews of our financial accounting system are conducted annually in order to comply with the book of order and to ensure that all of the gifts intended for change lives for God’s glory are appropriately used.  Periodically, professional audits are conducted and paid for by the congregation.  Many times volunteers with knowledge of our financial and accounting systems volunteer to audit the books and provide a written report of findings and suggestions.  These reports are submitted to the session for review and action.  The Stewardship and Finance Committee are responsible for selecting auditors and requesting audits.

 

Affiliated Committees

Memorials

The Memorial Committee does not directly report to the Stewardship and Finance Committee but they have a loose affiliation.  The Memorial Committee provides a means for congregation members to donate money or items to be used as a memorial to someone.  The Memorial Committee will work with the donor to determine a fitting tribute and memorial; and help with the purchase and dedication of the memorial item.  Funds can also be dedicated to more general categories; such as, general, student aid, music, development, mission, Christian education, and pastoral support.

The Memorial Committee is responsible for the investment and disbursement of the memorial funds.  They provide annual reports of their activities to the congregation at the annual meeting.  If you are interested in finding out more about the committee or making a memorial contribution, please contact the church office at (563) 355-6494.

Endowment

Another committee that does not report directly to the Stewardship and Finance Committee but is loosely affiliated is the Endowments Committee.  The Endowment Committee provides congregation members a method to donate money anonymously or in memory of someone.  The income, but never the principle, from these funds are then used to fund various items that would be beyond what the budget would normally provide.  Funds can be designated for particular purposes or categories and provide a way that the growth of your contribution can help with God’s ministry far into the future.  To learn more about the committee follow the link to the Endowment page.  To make an endowment contribution, please contact the church office at (563) 355-6494.

 

How to Give

If you feel called to help change lives for God’s glory by returning some of the treasure God has entrusted to you, you can send a donation to the church office.  Make checks payable to Bettendorf Presbyterian Church and address to Accounts Receivable Chair, Bettendorf Presbyterian Church, 1200 Middle Road, Bettendorf, IA   52722.  You can also establish recurring automatic gifts from your checking account.  Please contact the church office at (563) 355-6494 for information regarding setting this up with your bank.  And of course, you are always invited to attend one of our weekly services and donate at that time. We would love to have you join us for worship.  Contributions are deductible from your taxes.

You can also give online:  Use the Give+ app on your smartphone.  Here’s how:

  • Download the App “Give+” from the app store (Apple) (Android)
  • Register your name, email, and input a password.
  • Enter Bettendorf Presbyterian Church or enter zip code 52722 and a list of churches will appear – Select BPC.
  • Follow instructions for inputting your gift amount and credit/debit card information.

 

Contact Us

To help out with the ministry of the Stewardship and Finance Committee or to learn more about the committee, please contact the church office at (563) 355-6494.