Giving to Westminster@One
NEW: DOWNLOAD WESTMINSTER@ONE GIVING FORM
NEW: Listen to the “Giving to Westminster@One” talk (Feb 2006)
Financial support
Westminster@One was established almost five years ago at the request of a group of Christians working in the Westminster area. Our primary aim is to reach people working in Westminster with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are committed to proclaiming Jesus directly to those who are not yet his followers and also to supporting Christians in their workplaces and to equipping them to share their faith with those around them.
Westminster@One is overseen by Richard Coekin, the senior minister of Dundonald Church, Wimbledon and The Bible Talks, Mayfair. Working with Richard at Westminster@One are Stephen Hatherall (staff member) and Mark Jones Parry (apprentice).
Over the last few years, the Westminster@One work has been funded through the giving of a small number of Christians working in the area and through the generosity of The Bible Talks Church. Now that The Bible Talks faces increased pressure on its finances, we need many more Westminster@One regulars to get involved.
Our expenditure
The money that we spend supports our strategic aims of:
- Reaching out with the Gospel
- Building-up & equipping Christians
This pie chart shows the breakdown of our estimated 2006 expenditure of £32,000:
If you work in the Westminster / Victoria area, then please will you consider helping us? The more people who get involved, the greater we can spread the costs of the work. For example, based on the levels of giving received last year, if an additional 30 people gave £10 per week to Westminster@One, then we would achieve our target. If an extra 40 people started giving, then each person would only need to pay £8 per week! With your help, we can keep Westminster@One on the road.
Why give?
a) In reaction to God's grace
God has lavished His love on sinful and unworthy people like us, in the life, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Having received such undeserved generosity we should be motivated to give abundantly in response. When we see needs we are to be like God – ready, not reluctant givers, for God loves a cheerful giver.
b) In recognition of God's gifts
Giving is not limited to financial giving. God has given us all we need to give generously, but not all of us can give financially. God wants us to be generous not just with our money but with our time, energy, skills, property and homes. If we have received God’s abundant grace then we all have something to give generously. Sometimes these other things are harder to give than money.
c) In response to needs and priorities
Paul encouraged the Corinthian Christians to give generously to a collection for other Christians in great poverty. As members of God’s family our primary responsibility is to give towards the needs of the Christian family. The needs may be local (e.g. the ministry at Westminster ) or further afield (in the UK or abroad). Wherever they are, God’s people should come first in our giving: those who teach the word of God (1 Tim 5:17 ); those in need in our church (James 1:27 , 1 Tim 5:8); those in need in other churches (2 Cor 8-9).
How much? (a Biblical perspective)
a) Abundantly
Paul stresses the lavish nature of God’s giving toward us so that we may give bountifully in response. The Old Testament commanded a tithe (10% of income). The New Testament is far more radical: we are to be generous givers of all we have. Some will give far more than 10% of their income, others far less.
b) Thoughtfully
Each person should give what they have decided in their heart to give. We need to think carefully about what resources we have been given, what our responsibilities are and how we can give money in the most effective way.
c) Joyfully
God loves a cheerful giver. It’s easy to give for the wrong reasons – to relieve our guilt, to avoid other avenues of Christian service, to be seen to be generous by others. Paul tells us that God loves a joyful and big-hearted response to all that he has lavished on us.
Each man should give what he has decided to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. ( 2 Corinthians 9:7-8)
Frequently asked questions
How do I give tax efficiently?
If you pay tax in the UK please tick the box alongside the Gift Aid Declaration on either the Giving Form or the Standing Order Form (see link above & print form). This will increase the value of your donation by 28% because we can claim the tax back. There is no minimum amount or minimum duration.
How do I make regular donations?
Regular giving is an enormous help to us in our planning and it also saves effort for the giver. If you would like to make monthly donations to Westminster@One, please complete one of the Standing Order forms and return it to the Treasurer at the Westminster@One office (address below). We will then notify your instructions to your bank. NB. You can cancel a standing order at any time and so you don’t need to worry about a future change in circumstances.
How do I make a single donation to the work?
Please make your cheques or charity vouchers payable to “The Bible Talks (Westminster)” and post them to Treasurer at the Westminster@One office.
How do I increase or decrease my giving?
If you are giving by standing order, then you can change your giving by contacting your bank directly (this is very easy if you have internet banking) or by completing and sending to us a brand new standing order form together with a note to inform us that it supersedes your previous instructions.
What if I pay higher rate tax?
Westminster@One is only able to reclaim tax at the basic rate. However, you can claim additional tax relief (currently 12%) by declaring your tax efficient giving on your Tax Return.
Why am I giving to The Bible Talks?
Westminster@One is a ministry of The Bible Talks Church and is not yet a registered charity in its own right. Therefore, to take advantage of the Gift Aid scheme and the benefits of tax-efficient giving, donations to the Westminster@One work must be paid to The Bible Talks, which is a registered charity (Charity no. 1092036). Any such giving received by The Bible Talks will be recorded separately and will be used towards meeting the ongoing costs of the Westminster@One work.
For further information, please contact...
The Treasurer, Westminster@One,
26 Binney Street, London W1K 5BL
T. 020 7629 2348 or by email.