Pledging and Giving FAQ’s

Every act of generosity begins with gratitude and thanksgiving. So when we consider how we are called to support financially the life of the ECC, we begin from a place of gratitude. We name how God has blessed us, and what God is doing in our lives. And then out of thanksgiving, we give consideration to how we are called to return a portion of what God has given us in support of the ministry we are doing together. So where do we start? Always, with gratitude and thanksgiving. As the mystic Meister Eckhart said, “If the only prayer we said in our whole life was ‘thank you,’ that would suffice.”

A pledge is an estimate of our financial support to the ECC in 2025 and of how we will share our time and abilities in service to the common life of Church of the Cross.

Pledging helps us create a responsible spending plan for 2025. It is also an act of commitment to our common life

Only our treasurer, for the purpose of recording them. As well, only our treasurer knows the record of our giving.

By check, online through the website, by text, or in cash. Information on how to give electronically is below.

If you give by check, online, or text your record of giving is kept by our Treasurer. Unfortunately, it is impossible to record the giving of cash unless it is placed in an envelope with your name on it.

Yes. Just let us know at 512-695-2803 or [email protected]

Of course. Regardless of whether we pledge, our giving is always a grace to our common life.

Our financial support helps make our common life possible. We have expenses, and our vendors appreciate being compensated for their services. And so, our financial offerings make it possible to pay for supplies and utilities for the use of the space, for resources for ministry, and make possible staff to assist us in our work together. As well, it is our practice to return to the community 10% of our annual giving to groups doing good and godly work locally, and throughout the world.

The amount we pledge is between us, God, and our households; and it will be different for each one of us. What we ask of one another is simply faithfulness in sharing a portion of what God has given us. And the place we begin is gratitude, in thankfulness for what God is doing in our lives. As the mystic Meister Eckhart said, "If the only prayer we said in our whole life was ‘thank you,’ that would suffice."

When it comes to discerning the specific amount of our pledge, we first go to God with the question; and then, we talk about it within our households. As always, God will guide us in this decision, and will not lead us astray. And we, the Church of the Cross, celebrate every offering.

If one is looking for more tangible guidance, consider this: Faithful sharing a portion of what God has given us often involves:

• Intentionality: We have prayerfully and thoughtfully considered how we are called to support our common life, and make this offering with intention.
• Trust: We’ve stretched a little bit; we’ve offered an amount that invites us to trust God just a bit more with our material well-being.
• Joy: We give what we give joyfully, for giving is a grace and blessing and joy. Giving is intended to lift us up, and is something to celebrate.

So we consider prayerfully: What level of giving invites me to pay attention, stretch and trust God a little more, and is such that I can give with a joyful, cheerful, and grateful heart? The answer will look different for each of us.

Yes! There are lots of ways to serve in our common life. One can help with Sunday worship, and in prayer, and in acts of service. We also are grateful for those who share their gifts of administration, financial planning, and technology. You can sign up to join one of our serving teams by following this link.

Yes. Just go to the ECC website Giving Page. You’ll find there instructions for setting up automatic online giving.