But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
2 Corinthians 8:7 (TNIV)
 

A Word from Pastor Craig

 This is the page where worthy organizations appeal for your dollars on the basis of their good efforts. It is where you will find many references to “a worthy cause” and “multiplied return” and “good investment” in a way that tugs at your heart.

While it may be argued that the best investments are those in God’s work, that Christian causes are the most important, and that multiplied investment (how does 1000% return sound?) is the most sure when it comes to Kingdom enterprise, at BranchCreek, we don’t start there.

While our mission is of utmost importance, its funding has been predetermined.

God has chosen to resource earthly ministry through His requirement of the tithe (see Malachi 3:8-16) – giving the first and best of our income to Him. Those who worship God by placing Him first in their giving are commended and blessed.

I remember, as a newly committed believer in my early 20s, the surprise I felt when the pastor said, “Live off 90%; give at least 10%.” I was prepared to give more. After all, I had just been saved from eternal damnation (and believe me, if you knew my past, you’d know I deserved it). God had forgiven all my sin. As a manager of a business, this seemed like a pretty good deal. I thought to myself, “God could have set it up some other way, like give 50% and live on 50%.” That would have been fair. He had saved me, and I owed Him everything . . . but He let me keep some. How I handled that “some,” the pastor told me, would affect how much more I would receive (Luke 16:10). That made sense too because, as a manager, I rewarded those who were faithful with more responsibility.

It wasn’t until I was a pastor myself that I discovered the majority of God’s people ignore His command to put Him first in their giving. Many tip Him or give Him what’s left after putting themselves first. People and churches suffer as a result.

Here at BranchCreek, spiritual maturity is defined, in part, by financial responsibility. We believe Jesus’ words that “Where your treasure is, your heart will be” (Matthew 6:21), so we cannot risk any other approach.

We invite you to join us on the path of blessed obedience.

BranchCreek Finances

Most BranchCreek ministries and expenses are funded by our general operational budget. Contributions to “Regular Giving” go straight to this budget to cover the vast majority of expenditures, including adult ministries, Exit31, KidsCreek, staffing, and facilities, to name a few.

The general operational budget is prepared each year by the Finance Office and members of the Senior Leadership Team in conjunction with our pastors and directors. The budget is reviewed by the Finance Team and reviewed and approved by the BranchCreek Leadership Team (BLT). We welcome BranchCreek family members to discuss the budget and church finances with the Finance Office and members of the Senior Leadership Team.

Giving Options

Bringing tithes and offerings to God through the local church has taken many forms over the past 2000 years as societies, money, and church needs have changed. Despite these changes, giving has remained an act of worship. At BranchCreek, you may participate in this act of worship in a variety of ways:

• Give online or set up automatic contributions using your credit/debit card or bank/credit union account (see below for details).
  Note: We suggest using a credit card only if you’re in the habit of paying off your balance each month.
• Use your bank’s free bill payer service.
• Place your offering in the offering bag as it is passed during a weekend worship service.
• Mail your offering to BranchCreek. Our address is 100 Main Street, Harleysville, PA 19438.
• Let us cover the cost of postage by mailing your offering to BranchCreek using your postage-paid personalized giving envelopes. (Click here to request envelopes.) We’ll also cover the cost of postage when you mail your offering using one of the postage-paid envelopes in the auditorium seatbacks.
• Ask your employer to match your gift.
• Donate stocks, bonds, mutual funds or real estate.
• List BranchCreek as the beneficiary on a life insurance policy.
• Donate needed items to BranchCreek.

Online Giving & Automatic Contributions

Many folks now pay all their bills online or through automatic deductions from their bank account or their debit/credit card. That convenience is now available for making contributions to the ministry of BranchCreek through AccessACS. Simply click on the link below to get started. Click on “Giving Instructions” for step-by-step instructions.