No More Tithing

Inspiring New Language & Practices for Giving

Adam J. Copeland - @ajc123Center for Stewardship Leaders

Luther SeminaryIm

age by James Yang

Image CC license. Larah M

cElroy

What’s my point? Proposal: the language and approach to “tithing” employed by many churches is at best, misunderstood, and at worst, biblically suspect. Either way, it’s likely ineffective. Therefore, the church should explore new language, motivations, and practices to encourage financial gifts.

Adam

Mini History of American Stewardship

• William Avery, Stewardship of Life Institute, Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg, PA

• Founding to approx. 1830s rent/sell pews, subscription list, raffles, suppers & socials, “haphazard”

Mini History of American Stewardship

• 1919 new “duplex” envelope system! • One to receive “the dues for church membership”• Another in a different color for “other Christian

purposes” • The word “stewardship” proliferated between

1900-1920

Mini History of American Stewardship

• b/w WWI & WWII stewardship declined • Renewed emphasis post WWII

tithe/stewardship as response to God’s grace• While popular, it failed to become internalized

for the vast majority of churchgoers

Mini History of American Stewardship

• 1980s onward moving from stewardship focused on institutional church to justice, peace, environment

• Today, stewardship awfully confused…– not meaningful concept for most members– strongly connected to finances– Many critical topics avoided

CC Image by St. Luke’s Episcopal Church

TithingHow have you experienced the word tithing at some point in your past?

How is the word or concept of tithing present in your ministry today?

“Tithing has been tested thousands of times in the laboratory of human experience. What is the verdict? With very few exceptions, people who have tried tithing heartily recommend it to others, and they, themselves, have no desire to give it up…To the tither, it simply becomes a natural thing to do.”

–Luther Powell (qtb Mark Allan Powell)

Powell: Giving to God• In the Bible, tithes given away and different

from support of local synagogue • Trouble of analogies between times• Ultimately, though, we life in a time of

incredible affluence

Powell: Giving to God“Would I like to be the sort of person who is spiritually and financially able to give 10% of my income to the church?”

If the answer is “yes” then there’s a good chance tithing is for you.

Lansdell “All must allow that tithe-paying was enjoined upon the Jews, by God, in the law; and we all content that Jesus Christ, as a Jew, kept that law to the letter; therefore the inference seems inevitable (and we have found not a tittle of evidence to the contrary) that the Lord Jesus Himself paid tithes.” p. 125

Lansdell

“Right giving is a part of right living. The living is not right when the giving is wrong.

The giving is wrong when we steal God’s portion to spend on ourselves.” p. 148

Benefits of Tithing• Clear and

straightforward• References scripture• Avoids awkwardness

about “how much” • Tithers love it

• Consistent reminder of God the giver

• Transforms lives• Connection with other

Christians • 80/20 rule

Where are we now?

Image by Vincent van der Pas

Giving by Denomination (Source: Passing the Plate)

Source: Lake Institute on Faith & Giving

80 / 20 rule

In most congregations, around 80% of the financial giving comes from

20% of the members.

Every church has a financial stewardship culture. The question becomes how that culture is developed and sustained.

-How would you describe your congregation’s financial stewardship culture?

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Deut. 14:25-26“With the money secure in hand, go to the place that the LORD your God will choose; spend the money for whatever you wish—oxen, sheep, wine, strong drink, or whatever you desire. And you shall eat there in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your household rejoicing together.”

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“As a requirement for faithful living, tithing does not meet high standards of biblical interpretation.” (55)

Iona CommunityAccountability

Our Rule binds us to mutual accountability. We aim to be fully transparent and accountable for our use of money and time, and to operate with ethical codes of conduct.

Where might we be going?

Image by Vincent van der Pas

Older Paradigm • Giving out of religious

obligation or moral duty • Giving is contribution or

donation • Institutions are

autonomous• Americans have a

tendency not to discuss giving habits (Wuthnow)

• Giving out of personal choice (result of cultivation)

• Giving is creating change, powering a vision

• Donors are collaborative partners

• Sharing giving decisions with others encouraged

Emerging Paradigm

Slide with credit and gratitude to the Lake Family Institute on Faith & Giving; modifications made

Older Paradigm• Institutions are to be

trusted• Theology of duty• Budgets need-driven• Financial focus in

insular• Different from business

Emerging Paradigm• Institution trust must be

earned• Theology of grace• Giving is mission and values-

driven • Financial focus is

outward/global• Influenced by and/or

embraces business principles

Slide with credit and gratitude to the Lake Family Institute on Faith & Giving; modifications made

What if? • Churches addressed money year-round, and

when we aren’t asking for it? • New “tithe” = 5% to church + 5% to charity? • Spoke about financial giving holistically? • Electronic giving became normative? • Took the offering out of worship?

Image CC license: Scott Sm

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CC Image “Old & New” by Maia C

CSL Weekly NewsletterLuthersem.edu/stewardship

‘With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high?Shall I come before him with burnt-offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with tens of thousands of rivers of oil?Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?’ He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of youbut to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? -Micah 6:6-8

Stewardship is not therefore the gaining of influence, power, property . . . but rather the care and nurture of life, the healing of the one who fell amongst thieves, the feeding of the hungry and freeing of the oppressed, the befriending of the friendless, the equitable distribution of earth’s bounty, the passion for justice and peace, and dialogue with all who hunger and thirst for authenticity.

-Douglas John Hall

Thanks!

Adam J. Copeland

luthersem.edu/stewardshipacopeland001@luthersem.edu adamjcopeland.com|@ajc123

Image by Jam

es Yang