NNSW Offering Calendar 2015
Dear Church Leaders, Once again we distribute our Offering Calendar Booklet for the New Year (2015) to all of our local churches in the North New South Wales Conference. We hope that you will find it a useful and informative resource. It is intended primarily to provide additional information to those who announce the offerings each Sabbath, and to be an aid for treasurers in recording the correct allocation of the offering funds each week. With the expenses associated with operating a local church constantly escalating, we have increased the number of Local Church Budget Offerings in the year, following on from the increase in Local Church Budget Offerings in 2014. Few things can be more discouraging to a motivated congregation than the inability to meet recurring costs. Funds to provide outreach opportunities in a local church can be seen as important as the funds required to provide the worship facilities. We trust that the extra local funds will enable action as the windows of opportunity in your local community open to outreach efforts. As we process the Local Church Reports, faithfully sent in to us each month, we are constantly reminded of the hours of work and commitment gladly given by our Local Church Treasury Teams around the conference. Treasury is an office calling for reliability, efficiency, competence and inscrutable honesty. We commend the local church leaders and congregations on their careful selection of faithful members for these functions. Our conference-wide visitation consistently finds a special group of people filling these very important roles in the local church, and we thank each member in all of the Local Church Treasury Teams again for their generosity in time and commitment. Remember that a happy church is a healthy church, both spiritually and financially. This healthy condition can be very contagious to the community in which the church operates, and to the world mission field waiting for a message of hope. John Schulz Director of Local Church Support Services Department NNSW Conference Cover image: Zenith Beach (Adele Nash)
Offering Calendar JANUARY 2015 S M T W T F Sabbath 1 2 3 Local Church Budget 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Conference Church Buildings 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Local Church Budget 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Adventist Youth 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Local Church Budget FEBRUARY 2015 S M T W T F Sabbath 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Local Church Budget 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Education 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 South Pacific Record 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Local Church Budget MARCH 2015 S M T W T F Sabbath 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Local Church Budget 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Adventist World Radio 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Education 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Local Church Budget 29 30 31 APRIL 2015 S M T W T F Sabbath 1 2 3 4 Local Church Budget 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 General Conference Session 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Local Church Budget 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Local Church Budget 26 27 28 29 30 Page // 3
Offering Calendar MAY 2015 S M T W T F Sabbath 31 1 2 Local Church Budget 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ADRA Disaster and Famine Relief 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Local Church Budget 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Adventist Health 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Education JUNE 2015 S M T W T F Sabbath 1 2 3 4 5 6 Local Church Budget 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Pacific Adventist University 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Local Church Budget 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 AUC Projects 28 29 30 JULY 2015 S M T W T F Sabbath 1 2 3 4 Local Church Budget 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 General Conference Session 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Local Church Budget 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Pacific Island Advancement 26 27 28 29 30 31 AUGUST 2015 S M T W T F Sabbath 30 31 1 Local Church Budget 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Media Evangelism 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Education 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Local Church Budget 23 24 25 26 17 28 29 Local Church Budget Page // 4
Offering Calendar SEPTEMBER 2015 S M T W T F Sabbath 1 2 3 4 5 Local Church Budget 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Annual Sacrifice Offering 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Local Church Budget 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Local Church Budget 27 28 29 30 OCTOBER 2015 S M T W T F Sabbath 1 2 3 Local Church Budget 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Appeal Expense 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Local Church Budget 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Education 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Local Church Budget NOVEMBER 2015 S M T W T F Sabbath 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Conference Church Planting 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 World Mission Budget 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Local Church Budget 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Education 29 30 DECEMBER 2015 S M T W T F Sabbath 1 2 3 4 5 Local Church Budget 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Mission Extension 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Local Church Budget 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Local Church Budget 27 28 29 30 31 Page // 5
03 Local Church Budget JAN Today s main church offering goes toward our Local Church Budget. These funds provide for the maintenance and repair of our church buildings, equipment, gardens and grounds, and the purchase of supplies for the efficient running of our local church departments. We are also able to reach out to those in the community around us by sharing our message of hope, and caring for those who need a helping hand. Thank you for your tithes and offerings today. Those appointed will now collect them. Page // 6
Conference Church Buildings 10 JAN Our offering today supports local church congregations in our conference in building new churches and worship facilities. This building fund has provided significant help and assistance to church construction projects throughout the conference over the years. It is especially appreciated by new church plants building worship facilities, and all local churches contemplating renovations and extensions, or even relocation of existing church buildings. Those appointed will now collect our tithes and offerings for our North New South Wales Conference church buildings. Thank you. Page // 7
17 Local Church Budget JAN All departments of our local church depend on these offerings for their ministries and outreach work. Our Sabbath School needs material and equipment for the children and adult departments. Resources for services to the local community are supplied from these monies. Our tithes and offerings will now be collected by those appointed. Thank you. Page // 8
Adventist Youth 24 JAN Today s main offering goes toward Adventist Youth. The Adventist Church has long recognised the key role young people have in carrying out Jesus call to take the Gospel to all the world. Whether it is Pathfinders, Adventurers, Summer Camps, service trips, youth rallies or sharing the Bible one-on-one with a friend, we believe that every young person has been given gifts and talents by God for the purpose of building up His body, the church. Funds that you give today will be used by the South Pacific Division and the North New South Wales Conference to train and equip young people to be disciples for His Kingdom, starting right here in their local church. Thank you for your ongoing support of Adventist Youth. Rick Hergenhan Youth Departmental Director North New South Wales Conference Page // 9
31 Local Church Budget JAN Today s main church offering is for our Local Church Budget. Our local church has constant commitments. We want our church building and grounds to be representative of our faith and a witness in our neighbourhood. Our church departments require resources and materials so that they can operate efficiently, and meet the needs of our church and community. Please be generous again today as you support our local church projects and operations. Thank you for your tithes and offerings as our deacons come forward to collect them. Page // 10
Local Church Budget 07 FEB The main church offering today is for our Local Church Budget. We have many commitments to meet as a local church. Our church ministries, our outreach plans, the costs of insurance and operating expenses are all met by our Local Church Budget. Let us give generously today as those appointed take up our tithes and offerings. Thank you. Page // 11
14 Education FEB Today s main church offering supports the work of Adventist Education. The Adventist Education system is the second-largest Christian education system in the world. We have close to 8000 educational institutions operating in more than 100 countries, with more than 1.6 million students. Adventist Schools Australia operates 50 school campuses and caters for more than 13,000 students. Our North New South Wales Conference manages and supports 10 schools and two pre-schools, with an enrolment of close to 3700 students. Parents want quality education, a strong values program and consistent discipline for their children, with a chance for them to establish positive peer friendships. They are finding all of these things and more in our Adventist schools. Thank you for supporting the work of our Adventist schools through your offering today. Our deacons will now collect our tithes and our offerings. Page // 12
South Pacific Record 21 FEB Our offering today will help provide every church member with a copy of the church s news and information magazine the Record. The Record keeps us in touch with people and church activities in Australia and world-wide, and contains articles with interesting spiritual insights and comments. Your support today will assist in the costs of publishing the Record for church members on a regular basis. Thank you for your tithes and offerings today. Those appointed will now come forward. Page // 13
28 Local Church Budget FEB Our main church offering today supports our Local Church Budget. These funds go towards our local church ministries, Sabbath School operations, resources, insurance and outreach just to mention a few. All of the church and worship facilities we enjoy and use each Sabbath are provided and maintained from these funds. Please support our local church today. Thank you for your tithes and offerings as our deacons come forward to collect them. Page // 14
Local Church Budget 07 MAR Today s main church offering is for our Local Church Budget. Our local church has constant commitments. We want our church building and grounds to be representative of our faith and a witness in our neighbourhood. Our church departments require resources and materials so that they can operate efficiently, and meet the needs of our church and community. Please be generous again today as you support our local church projects and operations. Thank you for your tithes and offerings as our deacons come forward to collect them. Page // 15
14 Adventist World Radio MAR The offering today goes to support a specific outreach plan in the more populous and difficult areas of the world. Adventist World Radio, using AM radio, FM radio and internet broadcasting, provides an opportunity to reach people where all other means are impractical or even impossible. Many countries of the world are closed to traditional methods of evangelism. Personal Christian witness is prohibited or severely restricted. Punishment for those caught can be severe. Radio waves know no boundaries. The Seventh-day Adventist Church has established a network of radio stations that now reach most parts of the world. The challenge is to provide sufficient content in as many different languages as possible. Stories frequently emerge from these isolated countries of people who have stumbled across an Adventist World Radio broadcast in their own language and have become committed Christians. Thank you for your generosity in worshipping God in this way. Those appointed will now collect our tithes and offerings. Page // 16
Education 21 MAR Today s offering supports the work of Adventist Education. Adventist schools provide caring, learning communities that spiritually and academically equip, challenge and inspire students to make a difference. Adventist schools promote excellence, nurture growth and inspire a life of service. Have you ever thought about getting involved with your local Adventist school? 100 per cent of your offering today goes directly to supporting the work of Adventist Education in the North New South Wales Conference. Our deacons will now take up our tithes and our offerings. Page // 17
28 Local Church Budget MAR Today s main church offering goes toward our Local Church Budget. These funds provide for the maintenance and repair of our church buildings, equipment, gardens and grounds, and the purchase of supplies for the efficient running of our local church departments. We are also able to reach out to those in the community around us by sharing our message of hope, and caring for those who need a helping hand. Thank you for your tithes and offerings today. Those appointed will now collect them. Page // 18
Local Church Budget 04 APR Today s offering supports our Local Church Budget funds. All departments of our local church depend on these offerings for their ministries and outreach work. Our Sabbath School needs material and equipment for the children and adult departments. Resources for services to the local community are supplied from these monies. Our tithes and offerings will now be collected by those appointed. Thank you. Page // 19
11 General Conference Session APR The 60th General Conference Session will be held in San Antonio, Texas from 2 to 11 July, 2015. The very first General Conference Session took place in Oakland, California in 1887. This is an opportunity for all of our church leaders to worship together and focus on the mission of the church. It is expected that more than 70,000 attendees will meet together in a forum for selecting church officers and to vote through any changes to the church s constitution. The constitution mandates that the General Conference Session take place every five years. Let us pray sincerely for God s leading in these vital meetings, as we all have an opportunity to contribute to the costs of bringing our leaders together at a time when the whole of creation cries out for strong, dedicated and godly people to lead us forward in a troubled, despairing world. The mission of the church has never been more urgent or significant. The offering today will go toward the costs of holding this General Conference Session in 2015. Page // 20
Local Church Budget 18 APR The main church offering today is for our Local Church Budget. We have many commitments to meet as a local church. Our church ministries, our outreach plans, the costs of insurance and operating expenses are all met by our Local Church Budget. Let us give generously today as those appointed take up our tithes and offerings. Thank you. Page // 21
25 Local Church Budget APR Our main church offering today supports our Local Church Budget. These funds go toward our local church ministries, Sabbath School operations, resources, insurance and outreach just to mention a few. All of the church and worship facilities we enjoy and use each Sabbath are provided and maintained from these funds. Please support our local church today. Thank you for your tithes and offerings as our deacons come forward to collect them. Page // 22
Local Church Budget 02 MAY Today s main church offering is for our Local Church Budget. Our local church has constant commitments. We want our church building and grounds to be representative of our faith and a witness in our neighbourhood. Our church departments require resources and materials so that they can operate efficiently and meet the needs of our church and community. Please be generous again today as you support our local church projects and operations. Thank you for your tithes and offerings as our deacons come forward to collect them. Page // 23
09 ADRA Disaster & Famine Relief MAY This Sabbath we take up the ADRA Disaster and Famine Relief Offering. This offering is a crucial part of ADRA Australia s ministry in responding with aid and compassion in the wake of disasters, both here and overseas. Over the years, ADRA has responded immediately to emergencies around the world. Recently in its fight against Ebola, ADRA has begun a new project to provide emergency supplies and preventative education to 87,000 people and eight health centres in Liberia. More than 600 churches nationwide join in this effort today so that, when disaster strikes, ADRA can instantly be there to help with food, medical aid, general emergency relief, education and development assistance if required for those who need it most. Please give generously today as the deacons come forward. Page // 24
Local Church Budget 16 MAY Today s offering supports our Local Church Budget funds. All departments of our local church depend on these offerings for their ministries and outreach work. Our Sabbath School needs material and equipment for the children and adult departments. Resources for services to the local community are supplied from these monies. Our tithes and offerings will now be collected by those appointed. Thank you. Page // 25
23 Adventist Health MAY Health Life Future Our offering today is for the Health Ministries of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the development of health, temperance and lifestyle projects, both in our local conference and Australia-wide. People are often perplexed about why a church would be interested in health to the extent that we are. Shouldn t we just worry about spiritual issues like Heaven and salvation? In fact, the Bible encourages us to find balance in the physical, emotional, social, intellectual and spiritual aspects of our lives. The World Health Organisation and major health bodies now recognise that true health means a total state of wellbeing. Seventh-day Adventists, because of their emphasis on health, are the most studied demographic group in the world. This has led to strong relationships between churches and their communities. 50 per cent of today s offering is retained by the local conference for health projects. Thank you for your tithes and offerings. Page // 26
Education 30 MAY Today s main church offering supports the work of Adventist Education. The Adventist Education system is the second-largest Christian education system in the world. We have close to 8000 educational institutions operating in more than 100 countries, with more than 1.6 million students. Adventist Schools Australia operates 50 school campuses and caters for more than 13,000 students. Our North New South Wales Conference manages and supports 10 schools and two preschools, with an enrolment of close to 3700 students. Parents want quality education, a strong values program and consistent discipline for their children, with a chance for them to establish positive peer friendships. They are finding all of these things and more in our Adventist schools. Thank you for supporting the work of our Adventist schools through your offering today. Our deacons will now collect our tithes and our offerings. Page // 27
06 Local Church Budget JUN Today s main church offering goes toward our Local Church Budget. These funds provide for the maintenance and repair of our church buildings, equipment, gardens and grounds, and the purchase of supplies for the efficient running of our local church departments. We are also able to reach out to those in the community around us by sharing our message of hope, and caring for those who need a helping hand. Thank you for your tithes and offerings today. Those appointed will now collect them. Page // 28
Pacific Adventist University 13 JUN Pacific Adventist University (PAU) is a premier Adventist institution of higher learning and research. The Koiari Park Campus is located in a peaceful rural setting, 20 kilometres outside of Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea (PNG). This campus, which is part of a 48-hectare estate, is set in a beautiful environment with water lily-filled lakes, a wealth of bird life, well-maintained lawns and shrubs, and well-chosen shade trees, making it a peaceful place not only for its residents, but also for many local and international visitors. Fulton College in Fiji and Sonoma Adventist College in Rabaul, PNG, are affiliated campuses of PAU. Their degree programs and some diploma programs are PAU awards. Let us give liberally today to support this vital educational institution in the Pacific region. Page // 29
20 Local Church Budget JUN Our main church offering today supports our Local Church Budget. These funds go toward our local church ministries, Sabbath School operations, resources, insurance and outreach just to mention a few. All of the church and worship facilities we enjoy and use each Sabbath are provided and maintained from these funds. Please support our local church today. Thank you for your tithes and offerings as our deacons come forward to collect them. Page // 30
AUC Projects Offering 27 JUN Each year, the Australian Union Conference selects an institution or project for all of our churches to support. The offering today will go toward this project, which, as this booklet goes to print (November 2014), is yet to be specified. The Local Church Support Services Department at the North New South Wales Conference will advise all local church leaders and treasurers as soon as information on the offering for today is available. Past projects have included Mamarapha College (2014) and the Adventist Heritage Series (2013). Page // 31
04 Local Church Budget JUL The main church offering today is for our Local Church Budget. We have many commitments to meet as a local church. Our church ministries, our special projects, our outreach plans, the costs of insurance and operating expenses are all met by our Local Church Budget. Let us give generously today as those appointed take up our tithes and offerings. Thank you. Page // 32
General Conference Session 11 JUL The 60th General Conference Session has been held in San Antonio, Texas from 2 to 11 July, 2015. The very first General Conference Session took place in Oakland, California in 1887. This was an opportunity for all of our church leaders to worship together and focus on the mission of the church. The General Conference Session is an opportunity for attendees to meet in a forum for selecting church officers and to vote through any changes to the church s constitution. The constitution mandates that the General Conference Session take place every five years. Let us pray sincerely for God s leading in these vital meetings, as we all have an opportunity to contribute to the costs of bringing our leaders together at a time when the whole of creation cries out for strong, dedicated and godly people to lead us forward in a troubled, despairing world. The mission of the church has never been more urgent or significant. The offering today will go toward the costs of holding the General Conference Session this year. Page // 33
18 Local Church Budget JUL Today s main church offering goes towards our Local Church Budget. These funds provide for the maintenance and repair of our church buildings, equipment, gardens and grounds, and the purchase of supplies for the efficient running of our local church departments. We are also able to reach out to those in the community around us by sharing our message of hope, and caring for those who need a helping hand. Thank you for your tithes and offerings today. Those appointed will now collect them. Page // 34
Pacific Island Advancement 25 JUL Our main offering today is for Pacific Island Advancement. The Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific manages one of the largest mission fields in the world. In most of these island nations, the bulk of church members do not earn income as we know it, rather living on what they grow or catch. Finances are not available from church members to pay the wages of the church pastors. The annual Pacific Island Advancement offering is dedicated solely to supporting pastoral staff in local mission territories. Our support is vital to the continued spread of the Gospel in the South Pacific Island nations. Our deacons will now collect our tithes and offerings. Your generosity is appreciated as we worship God in our giving. Page // 35
01 Local Church Budget AUG Today s main church offering is for our Local Church Budget. Our local church has constant commitments. We want our church building and grounds to be representative of our faith and a witness in our neighbourhood. Our church departments require resources and materials so that they can operate efficiently and meet the needs of our church and community. Please be generous again today as you support our local church projects and operations. Thank you for your tithes and offerings as our deacons come forward to collect them. Page // 36
Media Evangelism 08 AUG Today s offering supports the Adventist Media Network in the South Pacific Division. Bible correspondence courses, Diggings Magazine, Signs Ministry, Beyond the Search TV ads, music ministry, public relations, marketing and communications are but a few of the major outreach projects provided by the network. All projects aim at assisting the Adventist Church in fulfilling its mission of sharing the Gospel. Today s offering will be specifically applied to media evangelism. May God bless all of you as you return your tithes and offerings. Page // 37
15 Education AUG Today s offering supports the work of Adventist Education. Adventist schools provide caring, learning communities that spiritually and academically equip, challenge and inspire students to make a difference. Adventist schools promote excellence, nurture growth and inspire a life of service. Have you ever thought about getting involved with your local Adventist school? 100 per cent of your offering today goes directly to supporting the work of Adventist Education in the North New South Wales Conference. Our deacons will now take up our tithes and our offerings. Page // 38
Local Church Budget 22 AUG Today s offering supports our Local Church Budget funds. All departments of our local church depend on these offerings for their ministries and outreach work. Our Sabbath School needs material and equipment for the children and adult departments. Resources for services to the local community are supplied from these monies. Our tithes and offerings will now be collected by those appointed. Thank you. Page // 39
29 Local Church Budget AUG Today s main church offering goes towards our Local Church Budget. These funds provide for the maintenance and repair of our church buildings, equipment, gardens and grounds, and the purchase of supplies for the efficient running of our local church departments. We are also able to reach out to those in the community around us by sharing our message of hope, and caring for those who need a helping hand. Thank you for your tithes and offerings today. Those appointed will now collect them. Page // 40
Local Church Budget 05 SEP The main church offering today is for our Local Church Budget. We have many commitments to meet as a local church. Our church ministries, our special projects, our outreach plans, the costs of insurance and operating expenses are all met by our Local Church Budget. Let us give generously today as those appointed take up our tithes and offerings. Thank you. Page // 41
12 SEP Annual Sacrifice Offering The main offering for today is to support the world-wide Global Mission Outreach Program through the General Conference. It targets any Unusual Opportunities as they occur during the year, generally in those heavily-populated areas of the world where the Adventist message of hope has never been heard. Worship groups and church plants in un-entered territories are the main focus for these offerings today. The financial aim of the offering is the sacrifice of the equivalent of one week s income per member in order to provide a greater financial support base for the world mission program of the church. Thank you for your generosity as we worship God through giving. These funds will further the news of the Gospel story in far away and sometimes isolated places. Our deacons will now take up our tithes and offerings. Page // 42
Local Church Budget 19 SEP Our main church offering today supports our Local Church Budget. These funds go toward our local church ministries, Sabbath School operations, resources, insurance and outreach just to mention a few. All of the church and worship facilities we enjoy and use each Sabbath are provided and maintained from these funds. Please support our local church today. Thank you for your tithes and offerings as our deacons come forward to collect them. Page // 43
26 SEP Local Church Budget Today s main church offering is for our Local Church Budget. Our local church has constant commitments. We want our church building and grounds to be representative of our faith and a witness in our neighbourhood. Our church departments require resources and materials so that they can operate efficiently and meet the needs of our church and community. Please be generous again today as you support our local church projects and operations. Thank you for your tithes and offerings as our deacons come forward to collect them. Page // 44
Local Church Budget 03 OCT Today s main church offering goes towards our Local Church Budget. These funds provide for the maintenance and repair of our church buildings, equipment, gardens and grounds, and the purchase of supplies for the efficient running of our local church departments. We are also able to reach out to those in the community around us by sharing our message of hope, and caring for those who need a helping hand. Thank you for your tithes and offerings today. Those appointed will now collect them. Page // 45
10 ADRA Appeal Expense OCT Our main offering for today goes toward covering the expenses incurred in the promotion and coordination of the ADRA Appeal. ADRA Australia is the humanitarian arm of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, demonstrating the compassion of Jesus in the lives of people all around the world every day. This offering maximises the impact of the funds raised during the Appeal by helping to cover expenses associated with running the ADRA Appeal in your local conference. In Australia, ADRA helps those experiencing hardship. Whether they are struggling because of a lack of education, suffering abuse or they have been impacted by a natural disaster, ADRA Australia is there to help provide their needs. Internationally, ADRA Australia implements projects that promote economic development, strengthen civil society, and improve food security, health and education. Please give today. Page // 46
Local Church Budget 17 OCT Today s offering supports our Local Church Budget funds. All departments of our local church depend on these offerings for their ministries and outreach work. Our Sabbath School needs material and equipment for the children and adult departments. Resources for services to the local community are supplied from these monies. Our tithes and offerings will now be collected by those appointed. Thank you. Page // 47
24 Education OCT Our main offering today goes toward our Adventist schools in the North New South Wales Conference. Adventist schools offer communities that provide safe and caring learning environments where each student is respected as an individual, and is nurtured academically, socially and spiritually. Adventist school teachers are passionate about Christian Education, which means they go beyond simply teaching Bible in the classroom. They are constantly modelling, teaching and reinforcing a Christ-centred lifestyle that effectively shapes each student s character and personality. Adventist Education acknowledges and thanks you for your generosity. Our deacons will now take up our tithes and offerings. Page // 48
Local Church Budget 31 OCT The main church offering today is for our Local Church Budget. We have many commitments to meet as a local church. Our church ministries, our special projects, our outreach plans, the costs of insurance and operating expenses are all met by our local church budget. Let us give generously today as those appointed take up our tithes and offerings. Thank you. Page // 49
07 Conference Church Planting NOV The main offering today is for the planting of new churches in the North New South Wales Conference. Our conference has a goal of planting four new churches every year. Church planting is possibly the single most effective way for the church to concentrate its efforts and resources in fulfilling its mission. Your gift towards this great work will go directly to employing church planters and running evangelistic outreach that leads to establishing new congregations. Thank you for your generosity as we worship God together through our giving. Page // 50
World Mission Budget 14 NOV In Matthew 24:14, it says: And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. As Seventh-day Adventists, we long for Jesus to come to end all the suffering, to end all the wars, to end all the evil. But that day will not come until the entire world has been told the Gospel story. Ellen White wrote many years ago that the time is coming when there will be as many converted in a day as there were on the Day of Pentecost (Evangelism, p 692). Did you know that since 2011, Seventh-day Adventists have seen more than 3000 baptisms per day around the world? That s two persons converted every minute and a new church formed every four hours. Today s offering will help Global Mission carry the Gospel to the unreached people groups and unentered areas of the world. Every dollar given for the World Mission Budget Global Mission offering goes to help start new groups of believers in unreached areas. Your offerings today can help carry a message of hope in Jesus to an unreached area of the world. Your offering can help us take one step forward in telling the world about Jesus. Thank you for your sacrificial support to help build God s Kingdom and hasten His coming. Page // 51
21 Local Church Budget NOV The main church offering today is for our Local Church Budget. We have many commitments to meet as a local church. Our church ministries, our special projects, our outreach plans, the costs of insurance and operating expenses are all met by our local church budget. Let us give generously today as those appointed take up our tithes and offerings. Thank you. Page // 52
Education 28 NOV Your offering today supports the work of Adventist Education. As we come to the end of another school year, we can be sure that lives have changed for Christ because students have experienced Adventist Education. Students have connected with their local church, and together, the church and the school, teachers and others, have worked to lead students into a closer relationship with Jesus. It is the partnering of the school and the church that enables God to work in a very powerful way. Adventist school principals, teachers and staff are thankful for the relationship between the church and the school, and the ongoing commitment, nurture and support Adventist churches across the North New South Wales Conference provide. 100 per cent of our offering today goes directly to supporting the work of Adventist Education in the NNSW Conference. Adventist Education acknowledges and thanks you for your commitment, your support and your generosity. Those appointed will now take up our tithes and offerings. Page // 53
05 Local Church Budget DEC Our main church offering today supports our Local Church Budget. These funds go toward our local church ministries, Sabbath School operations, resources, insurance and outreach just to mention a few. All of the church and worship facilities we enjoy and use each Sabbath are provided and maintained from these funds. Please support our local church today. Thank you for your tithes and offerings as our deacons come forward to collect them. Page // 54
Mission Extension 12 DEC Our offering today is the annual Mission Extension Offering. These funds are managed by the South Pacific Division and are set aside for the extension of capital projects in the Union Missions. In most of the island nations, the bulk of church members do not earn income as we know it, rather living on what they grow or catch. Thus, when new fields open up to the Gospel, there are seldom funds available to proceed. These new opportunities require reliable structures and equipment to enable the outreach work to prosper. Buildings, amenities and worship facilities are often possible only because of the generosity of our members here in Australia. Thank you for giving and sharing your blessings today. Page // 55
19 Local Church Budget DEC Today s main church offering is for our Local Church Budget. Our local church has constant commitments. We want our church building and grounds to be representative of our faith and a witness in our neighbourhood. Our church departments require resources and materials so that they can operate efficiently and meet the needs of our church and community. Please be generous again today as you support our local church projects and operations. Page // 56
Local Church Budget 26 DEC Today s main church offering goes toward our Local Church Budget. These funds provide for the maintenance and repair of our church buildings, equipment, gardens and grounds, and the purchase of supplies for the efficient running of our local church departments. We are also able to reach out to those in the community around us by sharing our message of hope, and caring for those who need a helping hand. Thank you for your tithes and offerings today. Those appointed will now collect them. Page // 57
Tithe One of the great strengths we have as a church is that we follow the biblical model of tithing by bringing all our tithes to the storehouse, so that we can support the advancement of the Gospel message to this generation. One of the challenges we face today is unity, and if we stand together and support the church under the biblical storehouse model, we will remain strong. As soon as we fragment and every member gives tithe to whatever cause they may personally choose, our movement will lose momentum. What is the highest and best use for our tithe according to the Scriptures and Spirit of Prophecy? The graph above illustrates how our conference has been distributing tithe received from members in recent years. Note that the significant portion is for Gospel workers, ministers and evangelism, which we believe is the highest and best use of our tithe according to our understanding of the Word of God. Also, we are restructuring our tithe spending over the next few years so that we can put 55 per cent of our tithe to front-line Gospel workers and evangelism. Finally, as leaders of God s church, we must always thank and acknowledge the faithfulness and commitment of our church members at every opportunity including the offering announcement in returning their tithes to the storehouse.
Tithes and Offerings via e-giving Your church s e-giving site can be found at <https://egiving.org.au>. More and more members prefer to use this option of giving their tithes and offerings. The e-giving site has a number of positive features that make the process very userfriendly, with simple steps to making a payment. One-off donations can be made without using the Log-On provision but if you wish, you can Log-On securely to create an account where you can manage, edit, change your donation details, or setup a regular donation. BPAY functionality is also available on the e-giving site so that you can then do your own internet fund transfer from your own bank account. There is also a link to the e-giving site on the North New South Wales Conference s home page <nnsw. adventist.org.au>. Information on how to setup a new account and a recurring deduction is also available under the e-giving drop down menu on the conference site. e-giving is an extension of the Tithes & Offerings Online Reporting System (TOORS), and treasurers who use this programme enjoy automatic recording of all tithes and offerings coming through e-giving. In 2014, more than 3000 individual members used e-giving to return their tithes and offerings.
Church Treasurer s Manual and Online Training Course The Church Treasurer s Manual is a valuable source of information on the role and procedures for treasurers of Adventist Churches around the NNSW Conference. It is reviewed and upgraded every 12 months to ensure it remains relevant and up-to-date. The manual is divided into sections with information about the duties and responsibilities of the local church treasurer, how to process transactions, managing risk, budgeting and reporting, applying for grants and loans, and recording and reporting online. The entire manual can be downloaded from the conference website at <http://nnsw.adventist.org.au/treasury-manual>. The interactive online training facility, aimed at developing and improving the skills and knowledge of our local church treasurers and their assistants, is ongoing and will be modified to match each new edition of the manual. Each of the six modules will take around 15 to 20 minutes to complete. On successful completion, the participant will automatically receive a certificate of completion. Church treasurers, assistants and others wishing to register for this free course can start the online training immediately by going to the conference website <http://nnsw.adventist.org.au/treasury>.
Trust Services and giving The North New South Wales Conference provides a free service to all church members, their families, friends or contacts to create a legal Will. There are no strings attached and no pressure is applied to include the church as a beneficiary. However, many people do take advantage of this free service to enable them to make a valuable contribution to the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church through their estate. Some may choose a particular asset, such as a motor vehicle, house or a particular bank account. For others, it may be a percentage of their whole estate. Many consider that they have not paid tithe on the increase of their principle place of residence and choose to do this through their estate. In this way, that which was important to a person during their lifetime the ministry of personal and public evangelism; the ministry to families; the ministry to our youth; the ministry to men and women; the ministry of our health department; the ministry to our Indigenous brothers and sisters; and the ministry to children through our large and vibrant education system are sustained and advanced. For this we at the conference office, and on behalf of the many, many people who benefit from your generous and often life-changing gifts, would like to say a heartfelt thank you. For enquiries about Trust Services or to make a Will, please contact the Trust Services Director Pastor Rodney Woods via <rodneywoods@ adventist.org.au> or (02) 4951 8088.
ADRA Australia ADRA Australia is the official humanitarian heart of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and is committed to being a literal representation of Jesus hands and feet all around the world. ADRA Australia works with people in poverty and distress to create just and positive change through empowering partnerships and responsible action. How to support ADRA Australia: There are many ways you can support the work of ADRA Australia personal donations, workplace giving, bequests and wills, church or school group fundraisers, and corporate giving. If you would like to financially support the work of ADRA Australia please visit <www. adra.org.au> or call 1800 242 372. Please note all official church receipts for ADRA donations MUST carry the ABN: 85 109 435 618. How to support in times of emergency: Following natural and man-made disasters, many people are motivated to make a financial contribution to response and recovery efforts. ADRA Australia is critically involved in planning and coordinating disaster response, both in Australia and overseas. To facilitate rapid deployment of resources following a major event, ADRA Australia has a disaster preparedness response fund. Donations can be made to this fund at any time prior or following a major event. Please visit adra.org.au or call 1800 242 372 to make your donation.
Local Church Support Services Contacts NNSW Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church 112 Lake Road, Wallsend NSW 2287 Phone: (02) 4951 8088 Fax: (02) 4950 1102 <http://nnsw.adventist.org.au> Local Church Support Services Department John Schulz: Treasurer Support TOORS, Training & Audit. <johnschulz@adventist.org.au> Anne Hoysted (Assistant Accountant): Treasurer Support, GST Claims, Tithe Reversion & Local Church Payroll. <annehoysted@adventist.org.au>
Produced by the NNSW Conference Local Church Support Services Department Ph: (02) 4951 8088 PO Box 7, Wallsend NSW 2287