Ray of Hope Christian Church

• Our Church	• City of Hope	• Operations
• Community Life	• Multimedia	• Stewardship
• Christian Ed.	• Outreach	• Worship & Arts

Stewardship

“So then, men and women ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful” (I Corinthians 4:1-2).

Webster defines a steward as a person entrusted with the management of the financial affairs or property of others. This implies that all that God has given us belongs to him.

God entrusts finance to Christians and holds us accountable for their use, as a tool to grow God’s eternal kingdom and as a test of the believer’s faithfulness to God. It isn’t enough merely to have right attitudes and faith. God expects us to express our attitudes and faith in action. We must conscientiously follow the principles of His Word related to finances.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).

What do your financial actions say about your heart for God? As you faithfully and consistently give of your tithes and offerings to the work of the Kingdom, what better way to actively demonstrate your love, obedience, and service to God by being a good steward of what God has given you.

Yours in Christ,
Cynthia Coleman-Stallworth
Comptroller

“All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant.” Psalm 25:10

Accounting and Finance

The Office of Accounting and Finance supports the Ray of Hope Christian Church by recording, processing, and maintaining an accurate record of all income received and all monies expended. This office develops and implements accounting practices in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. All financial transactions for the church are centralized under the Accounting and Finance Office, which is comprised of the following positions:

Accounts Receivable
     Member Contributions and Quarterly Statements
     Conference and Event Registration
     Ministry Deposits

Accounts Payable
     Check Processing & Distribution
     Purchasing
     Bookstore Receipts and Reporting

General Accounting
     Budgeting
     Ministry Accounts
     Payroll Operations

Stewardship Education

Although money is an integral part of our lives, many of us lack a proper understanding of it. We may believe the only money problem we face is not having enough. However, many times we have an adequate amount but need to use it more wisely. Stewardship education is learning what God has to say about this area of our lives, then recognizing His authority over our lives and possessions.

God gives us freedom to determine how we want to spend money, but the Bible is very clear about what God expects from us. The fact that God put all things, including money, at our disposal means we have an obligation to use them according to His plan. To do that, we must seek His wisdom and understanding through the study of His Word and by taking advantage of the programs developed for you to become money wise and to achieve financial freedom.

Listed below are opportunities for you to learn what the scriptures teach about money so that you can begin the road to financial freedom.

Crown Financial Biblical Study
The results from the Crown Financial Biblical Study have been rewarding in terms of both spiritual growth and increased faithfulness in stewardship. Crown includes all the ingredients of a how to achieve financial freedom coupled with personal attention from the teachers, accountability for follow through, and the building of healthy relationships. The study helps participants to implement biblical financial principles.

Over a ten-week period, the participant's track spending habits, develop a plan to reduce debt, develop a financial statement, financial goals, and a budget. Crown Financial combines Bible study, prayer, fellowship, and practical applications in a way that leads to spiritual growth as well as financial freedom.

Crown Ministries has helped many of our members commit to faithful Christian Stewardship, personal spiritual growth, and increased ability in money management. Home Buyers Seminars
These seminars will teach you the basics of buying your own home and how to keep it.

Investing Seminars
These seminars will teach the basics of investing for the beginner and other seminars will be offered for the more advanced investor.

Personal Financial Counseling
One-on-one financial counseling is available for persons requiring personal attention. Our qualified counselors will walk with you and provide direction for a period of six weeks. The goal is to encourage people to attend the Crown Financial Study class. Counseling sessions will be by appointment only.

Faithful Stewardship

Tithe	The word tithe means ten percent. In the Scripture, it is always the first ten percent of your gross income - the first and the best. It belongs to the Lord. Every time you tithe, you acknowledge that God is on the throne, not self and not money. It is a reminder that God is the provider and that all you have is from him. When you tithe, you are demonstrating your trust in God even when things are not going your way. Finally, as you calculate the amount of your tithe, remember how much you have been given. When we remember God’s goodness to us and his many blessings, we put to death the selfish nature in each of us.
Offering	Offering The offering is an amount given to God above and beyond the tithe. This act of joyful giving is an outward material expressing of a deeper spiritual commitment, and an indication of a willing, obedient, and grateful heart (II Cor 9:6-15).
Tabernacle Offering	The Tabernacle Offering was created to satisfy our mortgage debt in seven years. During their travel through the wilderness, the Israelites built a Tabernacle for God to dwell in the midst of their temporary campsites. The Tabernacle’s construction was completed using the resources of the people. In a similar manner, the mortgage on our present Tabernacle must be retired by the free will offering of our resources to advance the Kingdom of God and build the City of Hope. The Tabernacle Offering plan is based on the passage of scripture found in Exodus 25:1-8 whereby the Lord said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering…” Previously, many of you pledged the Tabernacle Offering and we encourage you to remain faithful to your commitment made to God. In 2007, we ask you to pledge $8,400, to be paid over seven years ($1,200 per year). If you want to pledge $8,400 or any amount, please complete a pledge card and place it in the offering container. Join us as we seek to aggressively retire this debt.
First Fruit Offering	In acknowledgement of the fact that all of the products of the land came from God, and to show thankfulness for his goodness, the Israelites brought as an offering that which represented a portion of the fruits that ripened first. These were looked on as a pledge of the coming harvest. It was given also in joyful recognition of what God had done, delivering them from slavery in Egypt and leading them to the Promise Land – a land flowing with milk and honey. Today, the First Fruit Offering is an amount given to God that equals one week of wages. Each year during the Lenten season, we enter a 40 day period of fasting and praying. This consecrated time is essential to us as believers and the offering is given on Easter Sunday. The offering symbolizes our trust in God for giving us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord at Calvary. Jesus is the first fruit of all who die in faith because the resurrection of believers is made possible and is guaranteed by his resurrection. The First Fruit Offering can also be given anytime during the year when you receive any money above and beyond your regular pay. We have been blessed to be a blessing and when we give, then we receive. For in order to harvest crops, we must first plant seed. Bring the Lord an offering to take care of his house and God Himself will take care of yours.