Regular Giving

Does St George’s get any government funding?

Answer: No. The church is entirely self-funding, with occasional support from our Diocese, though we also contribute to the Diocese for clergy salaries, pensions, training & central diocesan costs. The biggest contributor to our 2024 income was fees and sundry donations. More details are given in the Annual Yearbook 2025, which can be downloaded here. 

What does the Bible say about giving?

Answer: In the Old Testament, giving took the form of tithing, which meant giving to the whole community – for the Temple, religious festivals and those in need – more akin to an early tax system. This was based on Leviticus 27:30, which said: “A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord”, and was specified in Deuteronomy 14:22 as “a tenth of all that your fields produce each year.” Tithing was distinct from any personal offerings, which were given to the Temple by individuals as a thanksgiving.

In the NT the focus shifted to the Christian community itself. Members shared what they had, as summarised in Acts 2:44-45: “All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.” And in 2 Corinthians 9:7, Paul makes clear what he considers to be the right attitude to giving: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

How much should I give?

Answer: It is probably a misunderstanding of the Biblical narrative to suggest we should reapply the 10% tithing rule from Deuteronomy to our churches today: it was never intended for a religious institution within a secular state. Rather Christian giving is about our response to the gifts that we have received from God. Clearly we should seek God’s guidance as to how we use his gifts to us. And that means that how much we give is a thoughtful, prayerful decision for each one of us. Love is generous, love is kind and love is selfless. It is about being the people that God wants us to be.

Is my giving confidential?

Answer: The only person with access to the details of the amount and frequency that each person gives is the Church Treasurer. He will not share this information with any other church officer.

How do I know that the money is being properly managed?

Answer: As a beneficial society, registered under Spanish law, St George’s is required to have in place robust governance processes, which include the publication of accounts and the appointment of an external and independent auditor. The Annual Yearbook gives detailed figures and can be downloaded here.

How do we know what our money is being spent on?

Answer: There is an option for members of the church to nominate specific projects or activities if they so wish. However our Regular Giving pays for the core day to day running of the church, which includes such things as liturgical costs, music, staffing, heating & lighting, insurance, building maintenance and hospitality. As explained above, annual published accounts are available in our Annual Yearbook, the latest version of which can be downloaded here. The accounts group income and expenditure under a series of headings, which we intend to be helpful. However specific questions, or breakdowns of these headings, can be raised with our Treasurer at the AGM which takes place in May each year, when the accounts are presented.

Do I need to alert my bank if I wish to become a Regular Giver?

Answer: Yes, your bank needs to know if you wish to set up a regular bank transfer to the church. If you have done this through our platform, the screens will take you through it. Otherwise you can do it here. If you wish to contact your bank to ensure that everything is in place at their end, then please do so.

What if I miss a payment?

Answer: We all face unexpected costs from time to time and the church understands this better than most. If as a regular giver you find yourself in that position, the best thing to do is to make the Church Treasurer aware of the situation, which you can do through the ‘Ask a Question’ button below. From that point onwards an agreement can be made as to how to next steps. 

Can I claim tax back on my giving?

Answer: This depends on the jurisdiction in which you pay tax. Our Treasurer will provide certification at the end of the year which you can use to show a donation has been made. For further information, press the ‘Ask a Question’ button below.