{"id":111188,"date":"2022-02-24T10:44:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-24T09:44:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bcc.no\/update-on-donations\/"},"modified":"2025-01-30T11:45:29","modified_gmt":"2025-01-30T10:45:29","slug":"update-on-donations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bcc.no\/en\/update-on-donations\/","title":{"rendered":"Update on donations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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New model<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Test period 2022<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Q&A<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Like many other denominations and voluntary organizations, the activities of BCC have always been funded by voluntary donations. Paul writes to the Corinthians “Everyone shall give what he has decided in his heart, not by unwillingness or coercion. For God loves a cheerful giver.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

Congregations affiliated with BCC have worked together in recent decades, resulting in fundraisers that have ensured that we have opportunities and meeting places to gather around the gospel, as well as advanced technology to spread this to the whole world. But the next generation should have the same opportunities, and therefore a sustainable economy is needed for the church both centrally and locally.<\/p>\n\n

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This is the case<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

BCC is now in an exciting period, where we are in the process of organizing ourselves as an international federation. We need funds to carry out our mission and the great commission that Jesus gave us. Therefore, it is natural to take a fresh look at how we can organize the donation process in the best and fairest way for the future.<\/p>\n\n

In working on this, Paul’s words to the Romans have been an inspiration:<\/p>\n\n

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“We who are strong must bear the weaknesses of those who are weak, and not just think of ourselves. Each of us must think of his neighbor and do what is best for him, and that which serves to edify.”<\/em><\/p>\nRom. 15: 1-2<\/em><\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n

This is how it has worked until now<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

Voluntary giving has always been a basic principle in the regular donation process. In order for the local church to be able to budget and plan its activities, some fixed monthly amounts per household have been recommended.<\/p>\n\n

There are mainly three types of costs:<\/p>\n\n

\"<\/figure>\n\n

Up until today, the first two points have been covered by donations based on recommended fixed amounts that have largely been the same for everyone. <\/p>\n\n

However, donors have different financial situations, and have naturally experienced these recommended amounts quite differently. It has therefore always been important for BCC to focus on the contribution being voluntary, and that a person can choose to give more or give less, according to what they are capable of. <\/p>\n\n

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But what exactly is a fair donation model? <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

In 2021, an extensive effort was initiated with analyses and studies for a more sustainable model for the regular donation process. The model has, to a greater extent, taken into account that the members have different financial situations. Not to provide greater income to the church, but to distribute the current level more fairly according to the financial means of the individual.<\/p>\n\n

The Bible says a lot about giving, and that we should be righteous in all things. However, there may be different opinions about what is righteous: Is it righteous that I should give the same amount of money as what the others give, should I adjust how much I give according to how much I myself partake in the church\u2019s activities, or should I give based on my ability? Or should I give based on my means? <\/p>\n\n

In a project that is now being tested in three Norwegian congregations, we have tried to align the model more clearly in the latter direction, namely that each one is encouraged to give according to their ability.<\/p>\n\n

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Local church life in BCC Molde. Photo: BCC Molde<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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From youth show in BCC S\u00f8rlandet. Photo: BCC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n

New model being tested<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n

Before the model is approved and introduced in the entire church, it will be tested in three Norwegian local congregations in 2022.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Local congregations encourage their members to make a donation that they themselves calculate, based on a percentage of their gross income. This way, everyone can contribute according to their actual ability, and the local church gains predictability for covering budgeted expenses, which are decided by the members during their annual meetings.<\/p>\n\n

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This is how the pilot churches have worked with the project: <\/h4>\n\n\n\n