Concord Presbyterian Church

Stewardship at Concord...

is part of the fabric of our community and our faith, not just an annual “campaign.”  We do not give to the church to fund a budget; we give out of gratitude to God, and because we feel privileged to serve others.  We have a long and honorable tradition of directing a large portion of our resources to mission and outreach throughout the year, and this remains a core value of our community (many of the organizations receiving financial support may be found on the Mission page).  On the other hand, we have an annual campaign in the Fall of the year, principally for the purpose of “funding the operating budget.” Though the “operating budget” that we seek to fund through pledges includes elements of outreach and service, it largely consists of the amounts needed to staff and operate our church.   Without these "budgeted" funds, the Concord community as we know it would be unsustainable.  Other non-budgeted funds that receive donations include Music & Arts, Concord Concert Series, Concord Presbyterian Scholarship Program, Concord Preschool Scholarship and the Endowment Fund.

Besides financial resources, we seek pledges of Time and Talent.  By pledging your Time and Talent, church leaders are able to plan programs, projects and services for our local and extended communities.

This year, both your financial Pledge and your Time and Talent Pledge may be made "on line" (preferred method) by clicking on the links below:

       Financial Pledge                   Time & Talent Pledge

There are a variety of methods for making financial donations to Concord.  Besides weekly or monthly donations in Sunday morning offerings, you may request monthly automatic bank withdrawals (click here for form), or make donations of stock (or in some cases, IRA's [provision extended for 2008 and 2009]; see Tax Efficient Donations Options).


Funding Music & Arts

Two separate funds receive donations to support the application of music and drama for worship and outreach:
  • The Music & Arts Fund provides for professional instrumentalists in worship services such as Easter
  • Concord Concert Series Fund provides financial support for musical and drama performances outside of worship services.  Examples are the annual "Gala" and "Messiah" performances

Funding Scholarships

Concord manages two different scholarship funds for which donations are welcome:

Concord Presbyterian Scholarship Program (CPSP)  - provides scholarships for educational purposes to both members and non-members of Concord. Scholarships are made to only financially needy students who have demonstrated an interest in undergraduate or specialized educational programs.

Concord Preschool & Childcare - administers a scholarship program for families with preschool age children in financial need.

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Endowment Fund

The Session has authorized an effort to build our Endowment Fund. Just as stewardship giving is a chance to return to God a portion of our annual income, contributions to the endowment fund provide a means to share accumulated resources as long¬ lasting support for the continuing witness of our church. By design, the principal of an endowment remains intact so that through its earnings the endowment can provide financial support year after year. Even if it were legally possible (it is not), it would be financially irresponsible and short-sighted to invade endowment principal to cover current operating costs or even for one-time expenses. This fund, therefore, is not to be viewed as a substitute for the stewardship of future congregations. As such, income from the endowment will be limited to three areas designed to provide support as well as growth and vitality for this congregation:
  • Support for evangelism
  • Seed money for members to begin new initiatives in ministry. This is designed to encourage passion, energy, and creativity in seeking to discern God’s call in new directions. Active involvement of members will be a requirement.
  • Building issues/extraordinary capital needs
Our goal is to grow the fund to $500,000 through current gifts as well as bequests. No endowment income will be used by the church until the balance in the account reaches this goal.

the rulesGifts to the Concord Endowment Fund can be made either during your lifetime or as a bequest in your will. Gifts can be designated for a specific purpose, or directed to be used as needed within the three areas to be supported by endowment fund income.
Gifts or bequests may consist of:
  • Cash
  • Real Estate
  • Securities
  • Life Insurance
  • Appreciated Property
  • Personal property
Estate gifts to charity are most commonly made through a simple will provision, and many of the rest through a beneficiary arrangement that names the charity. Some of the ways gifts through your will may be structured are: a percentage of your estate; a fixed amount of your estate; or the residue of assets remaining after all other bequests have been fulfilled.

Some may find it best to support the Concord Endowment using one of a variety of gifts (collectively known as "life-income agreements") that, in addition to providing resources for the church, can also provide a lifetime income to the donor. For those interested, your advisors or representatives from the Presbyterian Church Foundation can help determine which option might be best for you.

If you make a bequest to Concord's Endowment Fund, please let the Financial Secretary know the nature of the bequest, e.g. cash, stock, IRA, etc.  It is unnecessary to provide the amount.

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Please send comments or corrections to  Ron McKinney