LUMA utilizes Church Center Giving for a secured online giving platform.
Church Center allows you to give using: one-time gifts, set-up recurring giving, or utilize text-giving.
GIVING OPTIONS
LUMA Church Center Giving is a safe and secure way to give to the ministry online.
Church Center will ask you either to login to your account, or create an account if you do not have one. This will allow you to give in the future using only your phone number (text giving) or set up recurring giving through direct debit (best option). By creating an account with your email address and cell phone it allows you to to track and view your giving history as well as print tax receipts for year’s end. LUMA will also mail you an end-of-year giving statement with a record of everything you have given online or in-person.
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS CHURCH CENTER GIVING
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Text any $ AMOUNT to the short code 84321 and send.
(Standard message & data rates may apply)
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If you’ve never set up Text-to-Give, you’ll be prompted to add a secured payment method (connect to your bank account, or add a debit card). If you’ve never set up a Church Center Giving account (this is your first time donating online) a new account will be set up automatically.
GIVING AS WORSHIP
Giving should more appropriately be thought of as God-centered stewardship (stewardship basically means to manage something, bearing the responsibility of it).
Because it is true that God is the source of all things then He is also the Giver and Sustainer of all things; both material, or immaterial. Everything that we “have” is first given to us by God. Our response this generosity in receiving good things should be God-centered, open-handed, generous, responsible stewardship.
This moves to an activity of worship in so much it is a God-focused, God-centered, God-honoring response. (worship is any activity, speech, or purpose that ascribes worth to something). So stewardship that is God-centered is managing what we receive in way that is pleasing to God and points to Him in honor and value and character. This is why Paul says that giving with our hearts is important. It’s not just about offering God something, it’s that what we do with what we have shows how God’s grace has changed out hearts and our focus towards the Kingdom and the King.
How much should I give?
Giving is not about an amount or percentage. The word “tithe” simple means 1/10th and unfortunately this has become a rigid way for some churches to put requirements on giving. Paul says that God purposes in our hearts what to give
2 Corinthians 9:7 “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
but also that we have all been different measures to steward and levels of responsibility towards God.
Luke 12:48 “…From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”
For some giving 10% would be a great sacrifice, for others they could easily give more without stretching essentials for living.
When should I give?
You can give any time, we do not have a collection time as part of our service, but there is a giving box available in the worship center. When you give is not important so much as your habits of giving. Paul gives some practical and helpful instruction on this:
1 Corinthians 16:2 1 Now about the collection for the saints, you are to do as I directed the churches of Galatia: 2 On the first day of every week, each of you should set aside a portion of his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will be needed.
Set aside something in increments so that when you do give it is not an undue or large burden. Also notice that Paul says to do this on the first day of the week (Sunday). This is about priority. Giving is early in your spiritual habits (give from your first fruits, not your last leftovers).
Can I give to a specific ministry or fund?
All giving is unto the Lord, not a place, or person, or ministry. God does not sell equity shares in the Church and your particular support is not a way of controlling or voting on particular ministries. All of the offerings given to LUMA go to a general fund out of which the mission and vision of the this local church is funded. That includes everything from local and foreign missions to keeping the lights on.
What about special collections/offerings/fundraisers?
Not as a rule. From time to time we have taken collections to meet a specific need or to fund a specific expense over and above what the church has budgeted. When these happen we open a specific fund which goes directly to that need.
GIVING FAQs
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Online Giving Questions
Is it safe?
Is it secure?
Giving on credit?
New email address?
Tax statements.
