The techniques of taking up the offering in church

[BrandonGray]

When people pass the plates around, others can see what you put in. I think that it should be an anonymous offering and no one needs to see who offered what. I think the box helps this the most.

 

[Runna800]

at my church tha 3 ushers stand in front and whoever wants to give gives at a specific time

 

[a_ntv]

For me to give some offer during service is a very important sign.
We cannot meet to pray togheter if there is not charity.
And the offering during the service is a actual sign of that.

The plates are then placed under the altar at the same time with the liturgical offers, bread and wine.

The few typical 1-5 $ a Mass are not only a sign.
There are other ways and times to offer more (by check) for who wants.

 

[seekingpurity047]

I just think the offering plate is a lot more convenient.

just my opinion.

Randy

 

[JTLauder]

I prefer the back of the church offering box better than passing the offering around. At the back of the church, offering is done independently (note I did not say voluntarily, but independently). Passing the "plate" around is almost obligatory--others see what you do and you can see what other people do.

Like what this one poster said, I visited a church that passed around different offering plates for different purposes. I remember thinking that it was going to take all morning just to collect offering!

And I too don't like plates--everyone can see what everyone else offers--especially offerings made by a check!

I've visited this one place where offering envelopes were included with all the programs and everyone was instructed to place the envelope in the offering plate as it passed around--whether or not you put anything in the envelope was up to you. I've seen plastic buckets, but I prefer the closed bag. You stick your offering in there and no one can see what's in there.

As I understand it, tithing is mandated by God, but only for the regular congregration members--it is how you give back to God (and your congregation) by supporting it --visitors and guests are not expected to support a church they are not part of. And "passing the plate" around puts visitors in an awkward position.

 

[ulais0205]

interesting topic! i kind of get the offering plate/bag thing cos otherwise people may be less likely to give - and the Church does need to pay its bills, electric etc. doesn't come cheap.

However, I prefer the box at the back thing cos this means you do not get someone scowling at you as they come to relieve you of your money! Also, giving is a part of our worship, but when the service stops to pass the plate round, people start chatting to one another, and I feel this interrupts the flow of the worship - although I guess if people sang whilst it was being taken it wouldn't be so bad...

 

[Catholic Wife]

Our parish has both. We have collection baskets that are passed during the preparation of the gifts, the contents of which are placed at the base of the altar when the other gifts (bread and wine) are brought up. There is also a "Poor Box" in the narthex, the contents of which are given to the poor.

 

[jsimms615]

Most churches I have been in use offering plates, but there should be some way to give if you only go on Sunday night. Most churches I have been in don't take up an offering on Sunday night. Maybe the box can be used for those who forget on Sunday morning or are working then.

 

[FLANDIDLYANDERS]

Sorry if this has been said before -- our leaders and venues are all part time and used voluntarily or paid for by the peeps that want to meet there -- when the poor come round, or if we need a fiver, we phone each other or just do a quick whip-round at home, whatever. Or take em to a pub and foot the bill, the usual thing really. No central pool, apart from a registered charity that some of us run (justice, not charity -- but it's also a fair-trade business, so it pays for itself too!)

So neither. We dont take official offerings, we just share and give to whoever asks, pretty much. Or at least, we try to.

 

[Rick Otto]

On WHOSE AUTHORITY, and in keeping with WHAT TrAdItIOn?!?... )just yankin' your chainD

 

[FLANDIDLYANDERS]

Dick Otto before he dicks you!

 

[Rick Otto]

So what's so wrong about my method, collecting tithes at gunpoint?

I insist on wearing Levi's, the current official uniform of the only rightful recipients of tithes - Levites!

Should a "free-will offering" be allowed in a Reformed denomination?

 

[FLANDIDLYANDERS]

I'll let you get away with those blue-jeans...

"Last year saw the introduction of cotton standards by the Fairtrade Foundation. This year, an organic line from denim giant Levi’s,"

http://www.greenfutures.org.uk/features/default.asp?id=2601

 

[lmnop9876]

we pass around a bag in our church after the notices at the end of the sermon.

 

[Rick Otto]

"I was the "bag-man" for our church."

...On 2nd thought, wasn't that Judas' job?

 

[FLANDIDLYANDERS]

Dont ou mean the BAG LADY!!!!

No offence to bag ladies, or bag men, or even bag trangendereds.

 

[Rick Otto]