During some christian services they have this little stick with a bag on the end. You put money in it and it goes to chairity. I need all the info about this I can get. What is it called? Thanks.
2006-12-17 13:48:42 · 32 answers · asked by Jackson 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It's called and offering, or offertory. I think offertory more often refers to the music played during the offering, but I'm not positive about that...
2006-12-17 13:50:23 · answer #1 · answered by pianoman.jeremy 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It's generally refered to as either the "offering" or the "collection".
Some churches use the bags you describe. Other use baskets or large wooden plates.
Part of the money collected is used for the operation of the church (paying lighting and heating bills, for instance) and paying the minister's salary. The rest, as you noted, goes to charity. Depending on the government of the church, either the church board, the elders or the congregation at large decides (usually on an annual basis) how to designate the offering.
Some churches have a strong focus on missions, and may decide that their offerings will support a hospital or orphanage in a third world country. Others have a more local focus, sending funds to church-run women's shelter or similar ministries. Still other choose to support an educational institution - perhaps a seminary training pastors for the ministry.
Or a church may support any combination of charities, either on a percentage basis, or on a month by-month basic (ie. January's collection goes the AIDS hospital, February to Seminary, March to the children's summer camp, etc.)
If you're interested in how a particular church designates it's offering, just ask. This information is usually readily avaliable.
2006-12-17 13:59:53 · answer #2 · answered by Elise K 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's called "the offering"
Regular congregants of a church fellowship (ie those who belong to the church as a whole) are called to support that church. A church has expenses, the priest or pastor and administration needs to be paid a salary, there are administrative expenses, upkeep, sometimes a mortgage. It's like belonging to a club - your dues to a club like the YMCA (also not for profit) pays for the upkeep and salaries of employees.
Many of the answers on here are ill informed. Yes, mainstream religions hold wealth, and some even power - but most church fellowships are fairly self supporting by the tithes they receive each Sunday.
Just like your taxes support the public school system, church members tithing supports their church.
On another note: tithing is biblical. And it's not because "you must give in order to receive" as many people on here believe, it's because it's practical to support your church so it stays there for you - but also make offerings over and above tithing to support other areas of charity - like a missionary or local charity or breakfast club at a school etc.
Churches keep careful track of their tithes and offerings. They have to because they file audits just like the rest of us.
2006-12-17 13:52:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some churches call it a "tithe" which usually means they believe you should give 10% of your earnings every year to the church. Some call it an "offering". Some call it a "collection". Any way you look at it, it is the members of that fellowship supporting the organization and the less fortunate in the world. Many times portions of it go to missionaries sponsored by that fellowship. It also pays for the electric and heat/cooling bill of the church and all the expenses. It pays for programs and the supplies needed to offer these programs to the community like....AWANA or other christian childrens group meetings. It pays for all the things that fellowship or church is going to need. It is sometimes misspent or abused but in most churches...it goes for where there is need, for that churches members or for anyone in need, even those in other countries.
2006-12-17 13:55:09 · answer #4 · answered by sheepinarowboat 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
It is called taking your tithes and offerings. Tithing is prescribed and commanded by God from the earliest days. You give a 10th of what you received, or whatever you want to put in the collection, and it goes to the church so they can use the funds to spread the word and initiate outreach programs that help the needy, children, and the elderly in your community. You can also write a prayer request and drop that in the basket instead of money.
2006-12-17 13:55:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
It's called tithes and offerings.
A tithe (from Old English teogoþa "tenth") is a one-tenth part of something, paid as a (usually) voluntary contribution or as a tax or levy, usually to support a Jewish or Christian religious organization. Today, tithes (or tithing) are normally voluntary and paid in cash, checks, or stocks, whereas historically tithes could be paid in kind, such as agricultural products. Several European countries operate a formal process linked to the tax system allowing some churches to assess tithes.
2006-12-17 13:51:20 · answer #6 · answered by Cindy S 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is called the offering. The money is collected to support the Church and to support different ministries.
2006-12-17 14:20:04 · answer #7 · answered by angel 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Collection
2006-12-17 13:51:37 · answer #8 · answered by Kia25 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Its called a collection. Sometime the money is used to pay the bills for the church and other times the money is for donations, feeding the hungry etc.
2006-12-17 13:51:10 · answer #9 · answered by 24K 2 · 4⤊ 1⤋
It means you are giving to a chairity or the curch! I hope this answer helps. And hane a very nice day. lol
2006-12-17 13:52:51 · answer #10 · answered by EnglandLover 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
That basket with a little stick which is passed in church is an offering basket that people money in for the church to help out who are less fortunate.
2006-12-17 13:56:16 · answer #11 · answered by Michelle P 1 · 2⤊ 3⤋