Your Support
We believe in the close connection between spiritual and financial support. As we move forward in our Christ-given mission to help others follow Jesus (Matthew 28:19), your prayers and financial support are vital.
Spiritual Support
Please join us as we communicate with God daily, seeking His wisdom and guidance on all matters. We will frequently update the site with what we are praying about as a community of believers.
Financial Support
As Seventh-day Adventists we value the Biblical concepts of stewardship, tithing and freewill offerings. What do these concepts mean in a practical sense? In simple terms, a steward is one who is responsible for managing the wealth or business affairs of another. Psalm 24:1 points to God as the Creator and owner of the world and all that it contains. “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it” (NIV). When we acknowledge God as Creator and the One who has provided all that we have, we begin to recognize our role as stewards of what He has entrusted to us. It is within our role as God’s stewards that He asks us to give one tenth (tithe) of our income for the purpose of expanding His kingdom on earth (Leviticus 27:30). Does God really need our tithes? Since all the riches of the world belong to Him, the answer is “no”. However, He has instituted the concept of tithing so that we can deepen our trust in Him, while participating in His work of bringing hope, joy, and salvation to a world plagued with sorrow, disease, and death.
The concept of freewill or voluntary offerings also springs from God’s word. In Old Testament times, God’s people Israel gave voluntary offerings in addition to their tithes. The offerings were used to build and furnish God’s temple, provide meals during festivals, and assist those in need. In the New Testament, the apostle Paul summarizes voluntary giving in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7. He writes, “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (ESV).
Tithes and Offerings in the Adventist Church
Adventist churches, including One Connection, send 100 percent of the tithe contributed by members to the larger associations of churches called conferences. In our case this is the Southern New England Conference. The Conference uses the funds to pay pastors’ salaries, provide support to local churches, organize summer camps, and support Adventist elementary and high school education.
The Conferences forward one tenth of the tithe received to the associations of conferences called unions. The Southern New England Conference belongs to the Atlantic Union. Unions primarily utilize the funds to support Adventist higher education.
Unions also send one tenth of the tithe they receive to the associations of unions called divisions. One Connection is within the North American Division, which supports the work of the churches through a variety of ministries, including community services, communication, multilingual, prison, youth, and disabilities ministries.
Finally, the divisions also submit one tenth of their income to the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The General Conference uses the funds to primarily support the mission of the church throughout the world.
Why is this structure important? Although you give your tithe at One Connection in Massachusetts, you actually contribute to the mission of the church worldwide. On the other hand, the voluntary offerings, which are separate from the 10 percent tithe are used to support the mission of the local church, such as One Connection.
Tithes and voluntary offerings can be given at church and soon securely through this website!
