Giving and Finances

Click here to view a video clip of Twin Cities Christian Foundation Chair Jay Bennett share his story about "The Road to Vertical Giving."

Giving is a biblical concept

Christians give out of obedience and out of a heart of gratitude for all that God has given us as everything; our time, our money and ourselves belong to Him. Giving is an act of worship done with a spirit of thanksgiving. It allows us to bless others and to be a part of what God is doing in our community and around the world. While our culture tells us that happiness comes from accumulating possessions, generosity allows us to break the hold of that fallacy and to learn contentment with what we have. When God works through us and the use of our resources, we experience lasting satisfaction and true joy. How we spend and invest our money reflects the state of our hearts.

How much should I give?

That answer can only be determined between an individual follower of Christ and God. But the Bible provides some guidelines. The Bible teaches us that God owns everything and that we are but stewards of the possessions that He has provided. Everything we have is His. He provides for our needs through our income and possessions. God’s people in the Old Testament understood this concept and believed that God allowed them to use 90% of their income to meet their needs while 10% or a tithe was returned to God for His purposes. The tithe continues to be used as a guide by many Christians today. Those who feel they aren’t able to give 10% of their income right away may find a practical next step to be to tithe on a portion of their income. Once that goal is achieved, tithe on a larger portion. Once you have experienced the joy of giving, there will be no turning back!

What Should I Give To?

Give as the Holy Spirit leads you bearing in mind that the church is the hope of the world and is an important place to begin giving. By supporting God’s work at Westwood you will be helping to transform lives in our local community as well as around the world in places like Malawi, Africa, Honduras and Central Asia. You will be supporting work that leads people into a relationship with God and transforms them from the inside out.

How Can I Give to Westwood?

Sunday Offering
An offering is taken at all Westwood services. Offering envelopes are inserted into the Program for your convenience. You may designate your gifts to the General Fund (Operating and Ministry Expenses) or to the Building Fund (Debt Service on our Building and Campus Development Expenses). Gifts without a specific designation are allocated to the General Fund as are any loose cash gifts. Our giving should also include our time and talents as we are stewards of our lives, using the gifts and abilities God has given us to bless others.

Electronic Funds Transfer (ACH)
You may give recurring gifts automatically to Westwood out of your savings or checking account. Click here for more information.

OnLine Giving
You may set up one-time or recurring contributions from a checking account or credit card that is linked to your checking account. Click here for more information on this fully secure process.

If you have questions about giving to Westwood, please contact Jim Anderson, Executive Pastor, at 952-224-7380.

How Are My Financial Gifts Used?
Your gifts will be used to support our ministries that spiritually nurture our church family, help those in need around our community as well as spread God’s Word and love around the world, particularly in our focused areas of Honduras, Central Asia and Malawi, Africa. Your giving also supports the operational expenses of Westwood Community Church.

Giving to the General Fund goes towards ministry and operating expenses including support for pastors and staff expenses, church ministries such as Worship, Adult Ministries, programs for children and students, family, marriage and congregational care ministries, communications, office and accounting expenses as well as utility and other operating costs.

Giving to the Building Fund (Groundworks Campaign) is used to pay the short and long-term debt obligations that we incurred to build and improve our beautiful campus and facilities.

We believe Westwood is an excellent investment! At the heart of our mission statement is a commitment to reach people with the love of Jesus Christ, the ultimate hope for a needy and broken world. We seek to be good stewards of all the blessings with which God has entrusted us in order to maximize the impact we can have for Christ and His Kingdom.