St. David’s Episcopal Church
5050 Milton St., San Diego, CA 92110
Pledging, Tithing, and Proportional Giving
What is a pledge? A pledge is an estimate of giving; some call it a statement of intent. Your pledge amount may be changed, increased or decreased during the year, at any time as your financial circumstances change.
Why should I pledge? Pledging allows you to make intentional decisions about your financial giving. When you plan ahead for your giving, you make conscious choices about spending your money in ways that reflect your faith and values. Receiving your pledge allows our Vestry, the church’s governing board, to do for our parish community what you do for your household: plan wisely for the use of our resources in support of the mission and ministry to which God has called us. The Vestry sets a budget based on the total amount pledged to the church. While plate offerings are important to the parish, your pledge lets the Vestry plan more accurately for the ministries we can accomplish.
How do I pledge? While our annual giving program is held in the fall, pledges may be made at any time. Download the Pledge Card on this website or see Two Methods for Online Giving PDF.
How do I pay my pledge? You may pay weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly via cash, checks, credit card, or you can pay online by using PayPal, credit card, or debit card. Electronic transfers, EFT’s, are not yet available. For more information, see Two Methods for Online Giving PDF or contact the church office at 619-276-4567.
How much should I pledge? Determining the amount of your annual pledge is between you and God. However, as you make this important decision, spending time to reflect on how God has blessed your life.
What if I make a pledge but later find I can’t pay it in full? Parishioners raise and lower their pledge all the time. A pledge is an estimate to help church budgeting; it is not a legal or moral obligation. Please don’t let your uncertainty prevent you from making a pledge. If you have financial difficulties or other unexpected events, simply notify the bookkeeper in the church office (preferably by email or in writing).
What if I make a pledge but later find I can’t pay it in full? Parishioners raise and lower their pledge all the time. A pledge is an estimate to help church budgeting; it is not a legal or moral obligation. Please don’t let your uncertainty prevent you from making a pledge. If you have financial difficulties or other unexpected events, simply notify the bookkeeper in the church office (preferably by email or in writing).
What is a tithe? A tithe is 10% of your income. The Episcopal Church has affirmed that the tithe is the minimum standard for giving and it encourages its members to tithe or be working toward a tithe. It is understood that many persons choose to divide their tithe among the church and other worthy organizations.
What is proportionate giving? St. David’s supports proportional giving, with the goal of tithing (10%). If you are not pledging 10%, pledge a lower percentage and consider increasing your pledge each year. We ask that you prayerfully consider what level of giving is right for you and your family.
A tithe may sound like an unattainable goal to begin with, but if you start with a certain proportion of your income and increase the percentage each year, you will be typing in a short time. You could start with 5%, a half tithe. If you already give proportionally, we invite you to consider what it might mean for you to increase the percentage by 3% in the coming year, growing toward a tithe. The “Giving Percentage Chart” below may help.
A Guideline to Proportional Giving
Pledge Amount Pledge Amount Pledge Amount Pledge Amount Pledge Amount at 3% of Income at 5% of Income at 7% of Income at 10% of Income at 12% of Income Annual Income Weekly Monthly Weekly Monthly Weekly Monthly Weekly Monthly Weekly Monthly
$10,000 $6 $25 $10 $42 $14 $58 $20 $83 $24 $100 $20,000 $12 $50 $20 $83 $28 $117 $40 $167 $48 $200 $30,000 $18 $75 $30 $125 $42 $175 $60 $250 $72 $300 $50,000 $30 $125 $50 $208 $70 $292 $100 $417 $120 $500 $75,000 $45 $187 $75 $313 $105 $437 $150 $625 $180 $750 $100,000 $60 $250 $100 $417 $140 $583 $200 $833 $240 $1,000 $150,000 $90 $375 $150 $625 $210 $875 $300 $1,250 $360 $1,500 $200,000 $120 $500 $200 $833 $280 $1,167 $400 $1,667 $480 $2,000
Every pledge, every amount matters. Where you start or whether you tithe on your annual or gross income is not nearly as important as simply making your first pledge. Every pledge make a difference, regardless of the amount.