By George Crumley

The Bible is clear regarding the importance and blessing of tithing. It is God’s method of providing for His work on Planet Earth. It allows those who have been trained and called to work full time to preach and teach the biblical truths that free people from sin, thus enabling them to live a more abundant and productive life.

Because of this system, workers are able to work exclusively for the advancement of the gospel without worrying about finding a job to support themselves and their families. Below is a brief summary as to how the tithe is used: (Percentages are rounded)

28%

The largest portion of each tithe dollar provides for those who work in pastoral ministry.

25%

This amount is sent to the Union, North American Division, and General Conference entities and helps to support our work in regions beyond Rocky Mountain Conference. A small portion does come back to benefit the local conference in the areas of education and evangelism.

13%

This percentage supports Adventist education. It helps with elementary education, academy education (Campion Academy and Mile High Academy subsidies),college education (Union College subsidy) and educational administration. (Elementary education is also funded by local elementary schools and Rocky Mountain Conference Advance.)

11%

This portion supports the Defined Benefit Retirement Plan which ended December 31, 1999, but still needs to be paid into since there are still workers in the North American Division retiring who have service under this old plan. The Defined Contribution Retirement Plan started January 1, 2000, and is based on a percentage of payroll and is not included in this 11 percent but in departmental costs.

11%

This portion covers departmental coordination and support such as communication services, youth ministries, ministerial services, trust and property services, women’s ministries, prayer ministries, Hispanic ministries, community services, IT services, and church membership support.

8%

This percentage supports our presidential, secretariat, treasury, and human resources, and the support staff within those areas along with liability insurance costs and legal costs.

4%

This category strengthens the conference working capital.

It is because of the participation of our many members in returning tithes and offerings through their local churches that we are able to continue to see God’s work expand.

Thank you for your faithfulness and generosity in advancing God’s kingdom within the Rocky Mountain Conference and throughout the world.

–George Crumley is RMC vice president for finance.