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What We Believe About Stewardship

The Well is a first fruits, biblical portion church. This means that our Overseers will exhort the people to be obedient to the truth of scripture as it relates to stewardship. In the Old Testament, the people of God were commanded to bring a literal tenth of all their increase to the house of the Lord.

Today, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit we seek to follow the intent of this command, contributing out of all that the Lord has given us. The size of this giving to the Lord is to be determined prayerfully as each believer determines “not reluctantly or under compulsion” (2 Corinthians 9:7) what portion to gladly return to the Lord. Scripture is equally clear that returns of these gifts to the Lord must occur first and foremost at the local church where the individual receives his or her teaching (Galatians 6:6).

How the Overseers and Leadership Steward the Tithes and Offerings

Scripture is replete with references to effective stewardship. Jesus' parable in Luke 16:1-13 is a picture of our obligation to be wise stewards. The Overseers will ensure that teaching of biblical stewardship is impressed in the teaching calender and bring additional teaching opportunities to assisting our people in living within Malachi 3:10 " Bring the full tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need."

Regular reporting of actual expenses versus plan will be completed by our Bookkeeper and reviewed by the Overseers monthly.  Appropriate financial controls are established and monitored by the Overseers. Financial control include separation of duties and expenditure controls and authorities. Donation receipts and weekly offerings information is segregated such that no Overseer has specific personal information.  

Our Annual Budget Process

In late Spring the Senior Pastor will prepare a church budget based upon the assumptions discussed with Ministry Leaders and the Overseers. These assumptions will include reference to the prior year actual expenses, the planned extension of existing ministries as well as new ministries of the church and will include staffing changes, missions, capital plans and other input from the bookkeeper. Finally, the budget is reviewed by the Overveers and then presented to the church Partners for ratification.