World Missions Giving: Ten Percent Approved Specials

What do Nazarenes mean by "10% Approved Special Giving"?

"Whoever sows generously will also reap generously . . . God loves a cheerful giver." -- 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

How much should churches give to world missions?

Years ago, Nazarene leaders began promoting the idea that local churches would give a "tithe of their tithe" to the cause of world evangelism. The 5.5% that churches are expected to contribute to the World Evangelism Fund gets congregations more than halfway to that 10% for world missions goal. Then, there are other world missions offerings during the years, such as Alabaster, that push the percentage up toward that 10% figure. Some churches then give to special projects that are considered high priority by regional offices and are publicized through official channels as Approved Specials.

The 10% Approved Special Giving label means that while the particular item or project is not being funded by the World Evangelism Fund, it does fit into the evangelism and church-planting strategy being implemented by Church of the Nazarene leaders on a particular mission field. The 10% Approved Giving label is used to:

  1. Put a "seal of approval" on appeals for money
  2. Assure that projects on the priority lists of field leaders are the ones being promoted
  3. Gives a uniform standard by which to count the percentage of church income going to global missions

Examples of what counts toward "10% Giving" include:

Lists of "Approved Specials" are available from the Global Mission office in the Global Ministry Center in Lenexa, Kansas or from the various regional offices.

    -- Howard Culbertson,

"I really enjoyed browsing through your website. There is a great deal of helpful material here."--Laura, Pennsylvania, USA

11 24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
    another withholds unduly but comes to poverty.
25 A generous person will prosper;
    whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. -- Proverbs 11:24- 25

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