Finances and Giving
Our church is financially dependent on God's provisions. These provisions primarily come through the generous and faithful gifts of the people who care about the ministry of this church.
The Support Ministry Council is responsible for ensuring the accuracy of the financial records, as well as preparing and maintaining the annual budget. This council reports to and makes recommendations to the Elders on all financial matters. Working on behalf of the council, the Director of Finance, the Maintenance Coordinator and the Event Coordinator, along with the custodial and maintenance staff, handle the day-to-day work.
The annual budget, conisisting of the General Budget and the Capital Budget, is set and approved annually. The General Budget includes all expenses to run our various ministries, as well as covering staff salaries, conference dues, maintenance and custodial costs, and supports a wide variety of missionaries. The Capital Budget includes building repairs and renovations, equipment, and purchase and sale of property.
Information about our Church’s Finances and Giving
"We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to know we are honorable." 2 Cor 8:21
Our church is financially dependent on God's provisions. These provisions primarily come through the generous and faithful gifts of the people who care about the ministry of this church.
Our church's annual operating budget is approved by our congregation in our June congregational meeting. We also have a list of current special projects and funds needing funding.
A finance team of church members and our church Elders oversee the proper use of our church's finances.
11% of our annual budget and offerings goes to support Christian mission work in our community, country and world. See a partial list of missionaries we support.
Giving statements are sent out three times a year to every regular attender. If you ever have any questions about your giving records, please contact our Director of Finance at 604.852.1001 or email to finances@centralheightschurch.com.
If you need assistance with budgeting, financial accountability, or other financial related issues, please contact one of our pastors and they will assist you or arrange support with one of our capable volunteers.
How To Give
- Give cheerfully 2 Cor 9:7
- Give generously 2 Chron 31:5, 1 Chron 29:14-17, I Tim 6:17-19
- Give systematically Deut 14:22, Gen 28:16-22, Prov 3:9-10
- Give reverently Matt 2:11, Deut 14:23, Lev 22:20, Mal 1:6-9
- Give proportionally 1 Cor 16:2, Deut 16:17, Ex 35:5, Ezra 2:69
- Give faithfully 1 Cor 16:2, Deut 14:27, 2 Chron 31:4-8
- Give joyfully 2 Cor 8:2, 2 Chron 24:10, 2 Chron 29:36, I Chr 29:17
- Give willingly 2 Cor 8:12, Ex 35:21-22, 1 Chron 29:6
- Give regularly Deut 16:16, 1 Cor 16:2, Neh 10:35-39
- Give expectantly Mal 3:8-10, Gen 28:20-22, Luke 6:38, 1 Kgs 17:13-16, 2 Cor 9:6-11
- Give eternally Mt 6:19-20, 1 Tim 6:19, Mark 10:21, Heb 11:13-16
- Give extravagantly Jn 12:1-8, Mk 12:41-44, 1 Chr 29:2-9, Ex 35
- Give thoughtfully Hag 1:3-11
Ways to Give
Cash & Cheques - Cash and cheques are the most common way donations are received by the church. Our church sends out quarterly giving statements to ensure we are properly recording any gifts you have given. We also normally include flyers with helpful information about church finances and financial ministries, or a note from our Senior Pastor.
Electronic Funds Transfer - You can give electronically to our church using the Debit terminal located in the church foyer during regular services, or at the church office during the week. We do not currently receive offerings on-line, nor do we accept credit card donations.
Year-end Gifts - Some individuals like to make special year-end gifts to support our ministry. Because all gifts to the church are subject to CRA deadlines, please remember that all year-end gifts must be received in the church office before midnight on December 31, or must be postmarked before the end of December to be receipted in the same tax year. Any gifts received after December 31 and not postmarked in December will be included in the next tax year. The date written on a cheque will not determine in which tax year a gift is included. Only the actual date of receipt by the church or the postmark will establish the correct tax year for CRA.
Envelopes - For those interested, the church will provide (upon request) numbered giving envelopes. If you would like to sign up to receive giving envelopes, check the box on a giving envelope, call the church office at 604.852.1001 or email to finances@centralheightschurch.com.
Stock & Mutual Funds - It is possible to transfer stocks and mutual funds directly to the church. The giver will be able to deduct the full fair market value of the securities and avoid paying any capital gain tax. If, however, the securities are sold first and then the proceeds are given to the church, the giver will still have to pay capital gain taxes to CRA. A little planning in this area can help you take full advantage of the tax benefits allowed by the government. Please call the church office at 604.852.1001 on how to EASILY transfer stocks and mutual funds from your account to the church's account for the best tax advantage.
Personal Property (Gifts-in-Kind) - Over the years, the church has been given automobiles, computers, office furniture, furniture/furnishings, and more. We gratefully accept all gifts-in-kind that we can truly use, or we try to direct givers to other ministries that have specific needs. Gifts-in-kind can be a little more complicated due to CRA regulations, but we will be happy to help you with the process. Please contact the church office at 604.852.1001 to discuss any possible Gift-in-kind donations. We will then determine if and how we can use the items and if you need assistance in having the items picked up or if you'll drop them off yourself.
Real Estate - In general, gifts of real estate have the same tax benefits as giving appreciated securities. The giver can typically take an income tax deduction for the full fair market value and avoid capital gain tax on the appreciated portion of the property. It is also possible that other benefits can include savings in estate taxes and avoiding probate. Please call the church office at 604.852.1001 on how to transfer real estate from your account to the church's account for the best tax advantage.
Life Insurance - Churches can benefit from life insurance policies. If the original purpose for a whole life insurance policy no longer exists, you can make the church the owner and beneficiary of the policy and receive a tax deduction. The deduction can be taken immediately and the amount of the contribution is typically the cash surrender value of the policy.
Gift Annuities - We are not registered to receive Gift Annuities.
Wills, Bequests & Estate Planning - A charitable gift can be given to the church through your will or other estate plans. Such a gift can be used to honour the Lord from the financial increase He has given you during your lifetime (Prov 3:9, 10) and can benefit your church in wonderful ways. This type of gift can also be helpful to appropriately avoid estate taxes. If you choose to include the church in your will or estate plan, please let your attorney or estate planner know the church's name and address. If you have already included the church in your will, please let us know so that we can say “thank you”. Don’t forget that qualified retirement plans will be considered part of your
estate at death, but if handled correctly they can also be deductible from the estate as charitable gifts. If you would like assistance from our church or denomination with estate planning, call the church at 604.852.1001.
Final Thoughts
Many of the ways to give mentioned above can be very effective if utilized correctly. If you do not know a qualified Christian CPA, financial planner, tax attorney or estate planner, to help with your financial plans and charitable giving goals, please contact the church office at 604.852.1001 to see if we can help you locate someone that can help you.
Central Heights Church
1661 McCallum Road, Abbotsford BC V2S 3M4
604.852.1001