Many people struggle with the idea that perhaps the church is first and foremost about money, budgets and buildings. While they understand that the church is intended to be about faith, love and hope the first thing that is often encountered is an appeal for money. For this reason we have decided that when an individual or family comes to NewStart for the first time they will walk away with the sense that they are loved for who they are, not what they can give.

We do not have a Sunday offering time or preach messages about the need to give. We do, however, believe that it is part of the Christian’s worship experience to give. Giving helps us to see others first. It also helps us recognise that God has given freely to us. Giving freely in return often brings us an incredible sense of belonging to God’s people and to His dream to change the world.  We encourage people once they have experienced love through NewStart and feel a sense of belonging, to consider assisting with the financial needs of NewStart. So here are a few things you should know about what we believe about finances and how we address this issue.

We have open financial records. Currently a church steering committee meets to oversee financial issues. We will have an elected church board do this once we have been officially organised by our denomination. The pastor is not a signatory to any church accounts.  We prioritise financial needs this way; meeting obligations, touching people’s lives in meaningful ways, providing a quality worship experience and finally addressing the issues of the physical facilities in which we meet. We seek to be responsible in our spending and resist placing a burden on our people that they may find detracts from their experience of God and His love.

We do believe that there is a God-given principle that works today as it has done for thousands of years. God, as recorded in the Bible, encouraged His people to put aside 10% of their income and dedicate it for the use of building His family. It was called a tithe. We believe the same idea still works. We will not, however, pressure anyone to live this way but encourage people to explore this idea as a way of organising their finances, declaring their trust and confidence in the grace of God and enabling His work to go forward.

In addition as of July 2011 we are establishing a special separate fund to which people, who wish to give to enable our dream to be more effective, can contribute. That fund will not be used in any way for operational expenses and is an entirely separate account. We have set a goal to raise $35,000 by July 2013 to enable a period of special marketing and a series of events designed to introduce us more effectively to those in our community and specifically to the 20-30 age bracket. We believe this group of people need us to invest in their lives to help them become the people God longs for them to be.

Goal of Special Savings account: $35,000

Currently: $4,300

If you wish to contribute to the financial needs of NewStart, the easiest way is either with direct debit using the following bank details, or click on the PayPal button below. If you are contributing to a specific need please indicate that in the appropriate place, otherwise it will go directly to the ongoing needs of the church.

Direct Debit:

Account Name: NewStart RiverCity

BSB: 124066; Account #: 20179165

 

Saving for the future account:

Name: NewStart RiverCity Incorporated

BSB: 124001, Account # 20443878

To use PayPal click on the "Donate" button below