| It’s an exciting time at New Life Church! As we wrap up our Big Faith: Partners Together series, we want to make sure everyone feels confident and informed about our 2026 Vision Initiative. We’ve compiled some frequently asked questions:
What is the 2026 Vision Initiative? For the first time in nearly a decade, New Life is asking its members to prioritize funding our ministry budget for the coming year. Our vision is to be a multigenerational church of more and maturing disciples. Our ministry strategy for making our vision a reality is our discipleship pathway: to offer new life in Christ as we seek, support, shape, and send disciples.
What is the discipleship pathway? The discipleship pathway has our four S’s: seek, support, shape, and send. These are four movements or processes every follower of Jesus at New Life should be living. More and more, our goal is to have all ministries of NLC under one of these four umbrellas for support and accountability.
How can I participate? We’re inviting everyone who calls New Life a church home to do two things. First, prayerfully ask God to help you grow in generosity. Second, as a part of your giving journey, commit to partnering together in support of our 2026 ministry budget.
What exactly am I committing to support? Your commitment goes to the General Fund (often called "New Life Support" online and on offering envelopes). This fund is the engine that powers every ministry we have. It resources worship, welcome ministries for new people, groups and studies, children’s and youth ministries, outreach, evangelism, pastoral care, as well as facilities and administrative needs.
What is an "Estimate of Giving" (EOG) card? The EOG card is a tool for you to share your giving plan for 2026. It is not a legal contract, but a way to help the church plan for ministry while you grow in your own journey of generosity. You don’t have to turn one in.
Who will see my Estimate of Giving? We carefully protect all financial data, including keeping donor information confidential. Only our Finance Manager and Lead Pastor see EOG cards.
How much should I give? We teach proportional, or percentage, giving. This means choosing a percentage of your income to give back to God consistently. While we encourage people to tithe to their church home (10% of income), you should pray and pick a percentage that you feel led to give. If you already give, pray about giving 1% or 2% more. The key is to pick a specific amount you can stick with and then commit to giving that much consistently as an act of faith.
Why should I prioritize the General Fund over specific missions? We love our missions! However, giving only to specific projects (or designated giving) can actually diminish our overall power to do ministry. We ask that you make the ministry budget a priority, not to stop all other giving. A strong budget ensures we have the staff and the building needed to support our many mission partners.
When and how do I turn in my commitment? Anyone who calls NLC a church home is invited to turn in a card during worship on Commitment Sunday, February 15. Please bring your card with you to worship (although we’ll have plenty of extras available). There will be a clear time to turn in your card during worship. If you can't be there in person, you can also find a digital version of the card here.
What if I travel and have two church homes? There’s no rule in the Bible that says you can’t give to both or even prioritize one. The important thing is your growth in generosity and partnering together with the church - or churches - that are homes to you.
What if I don't feel like I have enough to make a difference? Your gift matters! We’re all on a journey of growing in generosity. Giving blesses the giver and is an important part of our partnership together in ministry. No matter the amount, your gift is an act of worship that builds a legacy for God’s Kingdom. As the Bible says, God loves a cheerful giver, and we want no one to feel pressured or guilty.
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