10 Guiding Financial Principles of Lutheran Church of the Cross

The Board of Administration presents the following guidelines, with endorsement from the Board of Spiritual Oversight, as a way for Lutheran Church of the Cross to manage its finances. 

The Boards felt it was important for all of our congregation to understand the following financial principles to provide a solid foundation which guide our attitudes and actions in financial matters.

1. PRIMARY SOURCE OF CHURCH - INCOME
   Lutheran Church of the Cross is dependent on God through the faithful and generous tithes and offerings of God's people to support the church's ministry, missions, and building needs. 
2. BENEVOLENCE GIVING
   Lutheran Church of the Cross tithes, giving the first 10% of regular weekly offerings to God's work in our world, country and community. The Stewardship Chair, along with the Board of Administration, reviews all requests annually.** 
3. FINANCIAL BIBLE TEACHING
   Lutheran Church of the Cross will teach Biblical financial and giving principles through Bible studies, seminars, sermons and small groups. The goal of this teaching is to help people become financially free in their lives in order to serve and honor God more fully and faithfully. ** 
4. FUND RAISING EVENTS
   Because Lutheran Church of the Cross is dependent on God through the faithful and generous support of God's people through our general fund, Lutheran Church of the Cross strongly discourages the use of special fund raising events to help meet the church's financial needs. 
5. QUARTERLY GIVING STATEMENTS & FINANCIAL INFORMATION 
   Lutheran Church of the Cross will provide quarterly giving statements, including church financial information with the intent to educate the givers and encourage people's faithful and cheerful giving to the Lord's work at Lutheran Church of the Cross.
6. METHODS OF GIVING 
   Lutheran Church of the Cross will encourage people's generous giving by allowing them to faithfully give through whatever means is most helpful to them, including Sunday offering, giving and mail-in envelopes, automatic withdrawal, and on-line giving. The church will abide by all IRS donation regulations. ** 
7. OVERSIGHT OF FINANCES
   The finances of Lutheran Church of the Cross, including the policies and procedures surrounding them, will be reviewed and examined by the Board of Administration. 
8. LCC FAMILY SUPPORT AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH
   Lutheran Church of the Cross will help financially support people that are attending our church, as well as members of our community, through financial assistance, referrals to support resources, and access to financial counseling. 
9. BUILDING PROJECTS & CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
   Lutheran Church of the Cross will seek to meet its larger financial needs (building projects, equipment, vehicles, land, etc.) by communicating the plans and needs to God's people and other individuals through congregational meetings, newsletters, presentations, and campaigns. Lutheran Church of the Cross will accept designated gifts for board-approved building projects or major expenditures. ** 
10. FINANCIAL RECORDS AND REPORTS
    Lutheran Church of the Cross will openly communicate its general income and expenses. Detailed financial statements will be available for anyone who would like a copy. Any individual who would like to review the church's financial records or would like to ask detailed financial questions is always welcome to schedule an appointment with the Coordinator for Church Administration at anytime