Step 1 - Determine Your Pledge

Churches should review their historical giving to ministry shares and determine what they would like to give to the ministry shares program for the coming year (July 1 of the current year through June 30 of the next year). Each year around August or September you will receive a letter with information about past giving amounts. If you need help with what past giving has been, email Jeff Bolt (U.S. congregations) or Roshani Morton (Canadian congregations).

When reviewing past giving to ministry shares consider the following options:

1. Can you increase last year's gift by a specific percentage? We recommend 5% because of inflation, but you may select a percentage that your congregation is comfortable with.
2. Do you want to tithe your budget to ministry shares? We recommend 10% of your total church budget, but you can select a percentage with which your congregation is comfortable.
3. Do you want to set a flat rate per person or for the entire congregation? We recommend starting with a rate of $350 per person, but you can identify an amount with which your congregation’s leadership is comfortable. If you have never given to ministry shares before, or if it has been several years since you participated, start with a flat amount of $5,000 or $10,000.

You are encouraged to talk with denominational staff if you need assistance to figure out what option is best for your church. Synod has made some clarifications and recommendations over the years. 

1. Flexibility - Churches may determine their pledge cycle based on their own fiscal year. That means your pledge doesn’t have to be for the July-June period. We simply ask that you let the denomination know what your time frame is when you submit your pledge. 
2. Provide Suggestions - Synod asked staff to suggest to the churches what would be a reasonable amount to contribute in order to cover basic/core denominational operational costs as part of their pledge. We have provided some ideas for determining your pledge in the section above.
3. Core Cost - Synod asked staff to provide to the churches and classes more information on pledges and giving results, including what comprises the basic/core denominational costs. These core costs include such expenses as the Office of General Secretary, Leadership of the Ministry Boards,  Communications, Candidacy, the Council of Delegates, Synod, and Synodical Services. 

To learn more about what ministry shares support and how the denomination determines how ministry shares are allocated, please review the Administration and Finance Guide Booklet or contact denominational staff with your questions. 

Step 2 - Report Your Pledge

Churches are asked to report their pledge amount to the Stated Clerk or Treasurer for their classis. The classis will forward the pledge amounts to the denomination with other churches in your classis.

1. Pledges should be reported no later than January 31. This allows ministries time to put together budgets for the next ministry year of the denomination.
2. Your pledge amount is for the time period of July 1 of the current year through June 30 of the next year. If you are pledging a different period of time please let us know. 
3. Pledge amounts reported after January 31 are important, welcomed and appreciated, but will not be part of the budget planning for the fiscal year of the CRCNA budget.

Step 3 - Start Giving Your Pledge

You can give your congregation's ministry shares by using this remittance form (Canada) or this remittance form (US). Gifts can be given in different ways:

• Monthly giving - create a recurring gift account.
• Quarterly giving - send a check every 3 months.
• Lump sum - Determine a date to give your total pledge amount.
• Through classis - If you normally give your ministry shares to your classis, this can still be done. Your classis will forward the amount to the CRCNA.

You can also give online at crcna.org/ministryshares/donate. However this only is available if you are comfortable with your gift being allocated according to the COD/Synod’s recommendations. If you prefer your gift to be allocated differently, please give by electronic transfer or by sending a check in the mail with a remittance form that clearly indicates your preferences.

Things to Keep in Mind

Your ministry shares pledge includes giving to Calvin Seminary (both countries) and Calvin University (US ministry shares only). Canadian ministry shares do not go towards Calvin University. Ministry shares giving in either country do not include other Christian colleges or universities. You are encouraged to support schools in your area in the same way you have in the past. Please send any gifts for these colleges/universities directly to the schools themselves.

The allocation of ministry shares (what percentage is given to each CRCNA ministry) is determined by the Council of Delegates (COD) each year at their May meeting. This allocation may change year-to-year based on special needs of specific agencies, ministries or institutions. You can see the current approved allocations on the remittance form for ministry shares.

If you are concerned about how ministry shares are allocated or would like to talk more about how your ministry shares are used, please contact Roshani or Jeff. They will be happy to talk with you about special allocations.