UNDERSTANDING OUR FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS

We sometimes find that, for whatever reasons, some of our ministers are not clear on our financial obligations to the Alabama District. We have begun to publish these more frequently in order to clear up any misunderstandings proactively before ministers fall behind in their giving. Here are the District Bylaws followed by an explanation.

Alabama District Constitution And Bylaws Article

VIII.

Finances

Section 2 - Obligations of Ministers a. All ministers shall be required to remit on a monthly basis 7.5% of their income earned from Gospel ministry and from secular work for the support of the District general fund. b. The following exceptions are permitted: c. Compliance with the above requirements shall be a prerequisite for membership in the Alabama District Council and for the renewal of credentials of all active ministers. Any minister whose obligation falls into arrears shall be required to appear before his/her respective Sectional committee at the time of the Sectional Councils, and his/her credentials will be withheld until such time as his/her financial obligation is brought up-to- date. d. All ordained ministers shall recognize their obligation to support our General Council headquarters office in Springfield by contributing from their tithes or as an offering, the sum of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per month. Licensed ministers shall contribute the sum of twenty dollars ($20.00) per month, and certified ministers shall contribute the sum of ten dollars ($10.00) per month. e. Each minister should accept the responsibility to provide a retirement income for himself and his/her family by contributing an amount equal to 5% of the minister’s salary to the MBA minister’s account.

1. Ministers who receive wages strictly from secular employment and regularly attend a local assembly shall be required to support the local assembly with 5% of their income and shall also be required to support the District general fund on a monthly basis with 5% of their income.

2. Evangelists shall be required to support the local assembly of which they are a member with 5% of their income and shall also be required to support the District general fund on a monthly basis with 5% of their income.

3. Financial obligations of missionaries, military and industrial chaplains, and nationally appointed home missionaries are as outlined in Article VII, Section 8c of the General Council Bylaws.

Explanatory Note: If a credentialed minister receives any income from ministry, whether regular or irregular, parttime or full-time, or if they serve in a pastoral role in a local church, then they are required to remit to the district office on a monthly basis 7.5% of their income from all sources, including secular work. If a credentialed minister receives no income at all from ministry, and only receives income from secular work, and does not serve in any pastoral role in a local church, then they are required to remit to the district office on a monthly basis 5% of their income from all sources. Exceptions are only as provided in Paragraph b. In both scenarios, the remainder of the minister’s tithe should be paid to the local church they attend or serve. You may pay your tithes by mail, or online at the Alabama District Website at www.adcag.org, or by Text at Text #73256 Message: ADCAG. If paying online, always enter your personal name in the memo box to ensure that your tithe is credited properly to your account.

Ministers who meet the following conditions: 1) are 59 ½ or older, 2) receive no regular income from ministry, 3) do not serve as permanent lead pastor, and 4) have formally requested and received a ministerial status change to SENIOR RETIRED, have no financial obligations to either the General or District Councils. Senior Retired ministers may still be volunteer chaplains, serve without regular remuneration part-time on church staffs, serve in pulpit supply and as short-term interim pastors for love offerings or honorariums, etc. Please contact the district office with any questions as to your proper status.

Any exceptions based on category of ministry (missionary, evangelist, etc.) are as described in the Bylaw. Whenever you have questions about how the District requirements apply to your particular circumstances, please contact the District Secretary-Treasurer’s office.

- Michael D. Sharp, D.Min., Network Secretary-Treasurer,

ALSOM

Director