Qorbanot & Today's Church

The word "Qorbanot" described the historic Jewish system of sacrificial offerings. The root from which it is derived means "to draw near." It is a fitting label. While it depicts the literal act of a giver bringing offerings near to God, its metaphor goes deeper. The Holy Scripture itself makes it clear that God intends that our giving would draw us closer to Him and each other. Use of that label helped teach ancient Israel that intent. but that teaching seems rarer in the modern church.

A church community gathering in a park, sharing food and laughter.

What is our current context?

Contemporary Christian Giving in the U.S.

Sample of headlines in the new millennium:

·        Christians currently give 2.5% of income; during the Great Depression they gave 3.3%

·        37% of regular church attendees don’t give money to their church

·        17% of American families have reduced the amount that they give to their local church

·        7% of church goers have dropped regular giving by 20% or more

·        Between 1990 and 2016 religious giving dropped by 50%

Passing the Plate Survey (Smith & Emerson)

o   66% against tithing requirement for “Good Standing Membership”

o   59% believe the Church has no right to ask for specifics amounts

o   If their church required 10% for “Good Standing Membership”

• 35% would move to a different church

• 16% would drop out of church life altogether 

et, in the midst of that context, church leaders often feel ill-prepared to disciple their congregants regarding their giving. So, we don’t talk about the elephant in the room.

o   Money, Possessions & Eternity (Randy Alcorn)

o   Only 1-2% of Christian colleges offer classes on biblical principles of giving or stewardship

o   Only 2-4% of seminaries offer such courses

o   Only 15% of pastors feel properly equipped to teach the topic

o   Only 10% of churches have active teaching programs on giving

The statistical observations noted above seem to suggest that Offertory Giving may have waning importance among practicing Christians.

Local Church Practices

·        What does the offertory look like in different churches? How is it conducted? What would it look like to a non-Christian? If I were a non-Christian visiting for the first time, would I observe visible signs of joy? Would it seem like a part of worship or an interlude? Would it seem like a time when people were drawing closer to God, closer to each other? Would it strike them as something in which they would want to participate?

·        Why do choirs sing or church leaders speak during the offering in so many Christian churches? On what is it intended that we focus?

·        How has the introduction of digital giving impacted this moment of public worship?

Modern church practices seem to suggest that the Offertory Process may have waning importance as well.

If we consider both our pattern of giving and our evolving offertory practices, a need for change is evident.