Stewardship

Giving
Making charitable contributions is an art...a creative process that adapts to the changing needs and wishes of the donor. Planned giving enables a donor to arrange charitable contributions in ways that maximize his or her personal objectives while minimizing the after-tax cost. Contributing to the church can be accomplished in a variety of ways. Explore these online giving opportunities:
Automatic Draft
Personal Online Banking
Debit or Credit Card

Ways to Give
Consult your financial advisor to obtain the exact deduction for a gift you may be considering. You should consult your attorney about the applicability to your own situation of the legal principles found in the information below. But prayerfully consider these ways to give:
Outright Gifts
Deferred Gifts
IRA Distributions
Non-Cash Contributions

2007 Stewardship
God Speaks to Us Through Our Caring for Each Other (7 MB)
God Speaks to Us Through Our Caring for Each Other (9.3 MB)
Shown in worship 2/4/07

Missions and Ministry Plan
Each year, the church adopts a budget that supports the general operating expenses of our congregation and includes significant support to missions causes. The budgeting process begins with each committee carefully studying its needs for the coming year and making its request to the Finance Committee. The Finance Committee then formulates a total budget that is presented to the Diaconate. Members of the congregation are invited to give input into the budget and opportunities for this input are scheduled during the late fall each year. A final budget, based on all input, is presented to the entire congregation for adoption.
Then, beginning early in the year, a Stewardship Emphasis is begun, where members are encouraged to support the budget and the church by making their yearly pledges. Normally, these pledges coupled with other expected revenue come very close to the total budget. In the event the budget is not subscribed, the Finance Committee goes to work to revise the figures so that expenditures remain in line with anticipated receipts.
A commitment card is included in the inside front cover of this packet for your convenience. Please give careful and prayerful consideration to the support you can give First Baptist Church.

The First Baptist Church of Greenville, South Carolina Foundation
In 1992, First Baptist Church began the Faith Fund, an endowment fund with earnings that were used to fund local, state, national and international missions program. In 2004, the church voted to merge the Faith Fund with three other endowments (the General Fund, the Leadership Development Fund, and the Property Fund). Since its initial beginnings, $669,000 have been disbursed. Donors can be assured that proceeds from their gifts will be used as they specify in perpetuity.

Global Missions Offering
The Global Missions Offering funds mission work done through the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and the Alliance of Baptists. Each year, the church sets an offering goal in excess of $100,000, and gifts are received throughout the year to support this offering. The main emphasis, however, comes in the fall when special attention is given to needs around the world. All offerings given at the annual Candlelight Service before Christmas go to this offering.

Local Relief
Gifts to local relief efforts are accepted throughout the year. Envelopes are provided in the pews, and there is no special emphasis given to this offering. All gifts made at the annual Christmas Eve service go to Local Relief.