Questions and Answers about the new funding system

What is the Disciples Mission Fund?

Disciples Mission Fund is the Disciples church-wide offering that supports local, regional and general ministry efforts as Disciples reach out in shared mission "from our doorsteps to the ends of the Earth." Historically,the Disciples have achieved greater efficiencies and critical presence through a "one-fund" ministry that proclaims Christ presence within the United States and Canada, and around the world. Once known as "Basic Mission Finance," Disciples Mission Fund today supports a wide array of ministries as Disciples reach out in witness and mission.

Why should our congregation participate in Disciples Mission Fund?

Through Disciples Mission Fund, we equip congregations to reach people in our neighborhoods and around the world with the story of Christ's saving message and ministry. For example: Disciples Mission Fund strengthens our congregational leaders. At our summer church camps, our children solidify their relationship to God and the church. Life-changing programs like Women-to-Women expose our Disciples women to the life experiences of women in settings around the world. Regional ministries train our lay persons, support spiritual and educational development of our clergy, and assist our congregations during periods of pastoral transition. Disciples Mission Fund helps send Disciples on mission trips that not only help those we serve, but that often change the lives of the Disciples who participate. Disciples Mission Fund makes it possible for our students to receive a quality college or seminary education and to be nurtured as community leaders.Our gifts support Disciples conversations within the worldwide faith community as religious groups strive together to testify to God's hope,love and peace. Disciples Mission Fund strengthens congregations for all-church outreach efforts. Through Disciples Mission Fund, we support evangelism and new church ministry as we reach out in places where our existing congregations have no witness. We provide care and assistance to developmentally challenged individuals. We offer support for volunteers who provide hands-on support for those recovering from disaster; we provide practical and life-giving assistance for communities at homeand abroad, like help in digging a well, educating children, providing medicines and teaching peace. Disciples Mission Fund helps change lives in the name of Jesus Christ. In short, Disciples Mission Fund helps strengthen congregations for faithful, effective and innovative ministry in today's changing world.

How is Disciples Mission Fund distributed?

Our gifts to Disciples Mission Fund are shared between the Office of General Minister and President, offices for ethnic faith communities,general ministries, regional ministries, and higher education institutions of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) as those institutions provide ministry to strengthen our congregations for ministry. 7% of the offering goes to Office and General Minister and President, which houses our "head ofcommunion," the General Minister and President, our general pastor.This office also provides leadership and support for administrative church functions, including the biennial General Assembly when Disciples gather for worship, fellowship and church business. Special ministries of the Disciples Hispanic and Pacific-Asian communities receive support through Disciples Mission Fund as we striveto support ethnic communities.Of the remaining Offering: Regions share 50% emphasizing strengthening congregations for mission, regional offices support and coordinate mission and ministry inspecific geographic areas of the United States and Canada. General ministries share 40% General Ministries strengthen congregations by helping us engage inmission work that our congregations could not achieve alone. Higher education and theological institutions share 10% Disciples learning institutions strengthen congregations by providingeducational opportunity for our lay and clergy congregational leaders.

Why should my congregation participate?

Gifts to Disciples Mission Fund help our congregation participate in theshared mission of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ): "To be and to share the Good News of Jesus Christ, witnessing, loving and serving from our doorsteps 'to the ends of the earth.'" (Acts 1:8) Our congregation's local witness, ministry and mission is important.Likewise, it's important for our congregation to participate with other Disciples in a ministry that shares God's love and care with the wholeworld, throughout our region, the United States and Canada. Our gifts, combined with the gifts of other Disciples congregations, provide ministry and mission that offer greater impact than any congregation could achieve alone.

How are Disciples Mission Fund offerings received?

Disciples contribute to Disciples Mission Fund in three basic ways:

1. Congregations share in mission and ministry of the wider church by giving from their operational budgets and from other designated gifts or bequests. Congregations are encouraged to practice the stewardship of a tithe: to give 10% of their income to the church's shared mission through Disciples Mission Fund.
2. We give through four specialofferings, which are received from congregations as "over and above"gifts by their members to benefit particular emphases of our wider  mission as Disciples:
   1. Easter Offering supports general ministries as they strengthen congregations for our shared mission.
   2. Pentecost Offering supports the new church ministry movement, with Disciples New Church Ministry regional new church ministry efforts sharing the offering.
   3. Thanksgiving Offering supports leadership development through colleges, universities and theological institutions.
   4. Christmas Offering supports regional ministries in the region where the offeringis received, as they strengthen congregations for our shared mission.
3. Individuals make direct gifts through a secure, online Website, or by planned and estate giving.

Is my individual gift tax-deductible?

Yes, like your personal gifts to our congregation, ¿over and above¿ gifts to Disciples Mission Fund are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. If your gifts are made directly to Disciples Mission Fund, you will receive a statement from Treasury Services acknowledging thecontribution. If your gifts are made through the congregation, the congregation is responsible for providing appropriate records for tax accounting.