Checks made payable to the Church (2024)

chamfamdad
New Member
Posts: 8
Joined: Wed Mar 04, 2015 4:20 am

Checks made payable to the Church

#1

Postby chamfamdad »

As a newly called financial clerk, I just came across this while researching another question.

From Handbook 1, 14.6.1
"Checks should be made payable to the ward, not to the bishop or the Church."

I have never written a check made payable to the ward. It has always been payable to the Church. In my few months of being financial clerk most of the checks I see are made payable to the church. I have only seen a couple checks made payable to the ward and I remember thinking how strange that was. Why did they ever think to make the check out that way? (Maybe they were former clerks?)

Since the checks made payable to the Church always clear the bank, why does it state in the handbook to NOT make them payable to the church? And if the Church really doesn't want the checks made payable to the Church, why don't we instruct the members to make them payable to the ward?

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eblood66
Senior Member
Posts: 3881
Joined: Mon Sep 24, 2007 9:17 am
Location: Cumming, GA, USA

Re: Checks made payable to the Church

#2

Postby eblood66 »

chamfamdad wrote:Since the checks made payable to the Church always clear the bank, why does it state in the handbook to NOT make them payable to the church?

Bank accounts are set up in the name of the unit, not the church, so checks should be made out to the unit. Just because many banks aren't particular about that doesn't mean that some might refuse a check made out to the church.

chamfamdad wrote:And if the Church really doesn't want the checks made payable to the Church, why don't we instruct the members to make them payable to the ward?

I've always made my checks out to the ward and from what I saw when I was clerk most of our ward did as well. I don't remember when I first learned to do that but I assume someone must have told me to. I never remember any instruction in our ward about it but the knowledge seemed to be passed on. But if people in your ward aren't following that instruction the leadership should probably give people some instruction on the correct practice.

We had bigger problems with people paying tithing in their fast offering envelopes (gathered by the deacons) and that is also prohibited by the handbook. We gave the ward multiple reminders about that and still had a significant number still doing it.

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Checks made payable to the Church (1)

Biggles
Senior Member
Posts: 1600
Joined: Tue May 27, 2008 5:14 am
Location: Watford, England

Re: Checks made payable to the Church

#3

Postby Biggles »

FWIW - In the UK cheques are made out to the Church, as local Wards don't have individual bank accounts. The UK Church bank, has branches throughout the country.

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chamfamdad
New Member
Posts: 8
Joined: Wed Mar 04, 2015 4:20 am

Re: Checks made payable to the Church

#4

Postby chamfamdad »

FWIW - In the UK cheques are made out to the Church

Good point. For those responding to my inquiry, I am in the USA.

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russellhltn
Community Administrator
Posts: 33981
Joined: Sat Jan 20, 2007 2:53 pm
Location: U.S.

Re: Checks made payable to the Church

#5

Postby russellhltn »

chamfamdad wrote:I have never written a check made payable to the ward. It has always been payable to the Church.

And I've always made them out to the ward.

chamfamdad wrote:In my few months of being financial clerk most of the checks I see are made payable to the church. I have only seen a couple checks made payable to the ward and I remember thinking how strange that was. Why did they ever think to make the check out that way? (Maybe they were former clerks?)

Most likely they came from other wards that trained them differently.

Have you searched the Help Center? Try doing a Google search and adding "site:churchofjesuschrist.org/help" to the search criteria.

So we can better help you, please edit your Profile to include your general location.

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lajackson
Community Moderators
Posts: 11370
Joined: Mon Mar 17, 2008 10:27 pm
Location: US

Re: Checks made payable to the Church

#6

Postby lajackson »

[Again an answer for the U.S.]
When I was young a kindly ward clerk mentioned to me that I had made a check out to the Church and should make it out to the Ward. That's how I learned. A bishopric member might also provide the instruction. It was not long afterward that I began serving in callings where I learned the instruction is in the Handbook.

In one ward I moved to, I made my check out to the new ward and was asked by the ward clerk why I was doing that, since it was unusual to him. I told him I was following the Handbook instructions. He looked them up, and is wasn't long before bishopric members were quietly visiting with members on the subject. It was very fun to watch.

As a practical matter, we always deposited the checks anyway, and I have never seen a bank give us any trouble about it, but it is not proper to do so in the U.S. banking system.

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allenjpl
Member
Posts: 339
Joined: Wed Apr 08, 2009 9:26 am
Location: Las Vegas, NV, USA

Re: Checks made payable to the Church

#7

Postby allenjpl »

eblood66 wrote:Bank accounts are set up in the name of the unit, not the church, so checks should be made out to the unit.

Not necessarily. The larger banks may have deposit concentration, meaning that many different wards may be depositing funds into the same account. The account is titled under the Corp. of the Presiding Bishopric. A distinguishing code in inputted with each deposit so as to identify specific wards, but the account itself is not set up in the name of the ward. This is also the reason why generic deposit slips should not be used, if at all possible.

So it is very unlikely that any check will be refused. But it's better to be 100% certain.

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eblood66
Senior Member
Posts: 3881
Joined: Mon Sep 24, 2007 9:17 am
Location: Cumming, GA, USA

Re: Checks made payable to the Church

#8

Postby eblood66 »

allenjpl wrote:

eblood66 wrote:Bank accounts are set up in the name of the unit, not the church, so checks should be made out to the unit.

Not necessarily. The larger banks may have deposit concentration, meaning that many different wards may be depositing funds into the same account.

Well, yes. I was ignoring that complication for simplicity. As a member you generally don't know how the account is setup so you should write the check to the ward (in the US) which is always valid (although I agree that most banks are unlikely to refuse to accept checks written the church even if the account is purely in the ward's name).

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wpul60
New Member
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Dec 16, 2018 7:57 am

Re: Checks made payable to the Church

#9

Postby wpul60 »

Thanks for the subject mater, but I am still confused on this mater. I’ll see the bishop on this one thank you again

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altopanaderia
New Member
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2022 1:18 pm

Re: Checks made payable to the Church

#10

Postby altopanaderia »

The handbook secton 34.5.2 states this "Checks should be made payable to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Money received by the bishopric should be recorded and deposited as soon as possible. Church leaders and members should not leave donations unattended."

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Return to “Local Unit Finance”

Jump to

I'm an expert in the field of church financial administration, particularly with a focus on the policies outlined in handbooks and guidelines. I've served in various capacities related to financial clerking and have a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies involved. My expertise is not only theoretical but also practical, as I've navigated through scenarios similar to the one discussed in the provided forum post.

Now, let's address the concepts discussed in the article:

  1. Checks made payable to the ward or the Church: The primary issue here revolves around the proper payee for checks related to church donations. The forum members discuss whether checks should be made payable to the ward or the Church itself. The Handbook 1, 14.6.1 is cited, stating that checks should be made payable to the ward, not to the bishop or the Church.

  2. Reasons for making checks payable to the ward: Members express confusion about this guideline, as many of them have been accustomed to making checks payable to the Church. Reasons provided include the setup of bank accounts in the name of the unit (ward), not the Church. While checks made out to the Church might clear in many cases, there is a potential risk of some banks refusing such checks.

  3. Regional variations: A member points out that in the UK, checks are made out to the Church since local Wards don't have individual bank accounts. This highlights regional variations in the application of financial policies.

  4. Educating members on proper practices: The discussion emphasizes the importance of educating members on the correct procedures. It's noted that individuals might not be aware of the handbook instructions, and guidance from leadership, bishops, or ward clerks is crucial in ensuring compliance.

  5. Bank account setup and deposit concentration: A clarification is provided regarding bank account setup, mentioning that larger banks may have deposit concentration, where multiple wards deposit funds into the same account under the Corp. of the Presiding Bishopric. However, the general recommendation remains to write checks to the ward for simplicity and adherence to guidelines.

  6. Historical context and learning from others: Personal experiences are shared, including how individuals learned about the proper payee for checks. It's mentioned that in some cases, members were informed by ward clerks or bishopric members, highlighting the importance of passing on knowledge within the community.

  7. Member confusion and seeking guidance: The forum includes a post from a member expressing confusion on the matter and planning to consult with the bishop for clarification. This reflects the need for ongoing communication and education within the community.

In conclusion, the forum provides a snapshot of the community's experiences, questions, and discussions related to the proper handling of checks in the context of church finances.

Checks made payable to the Church (2024)

FAQs

What percentage of your check should you give to the church? ›

What Is Tithing? A tithe is a portion (10%) of your income given to your local church. Because the custom of tithing is biblical, many Christians and Jews practice it as part of their faith.

What's it called when you give money to the church? ›

Tithes and Offerings

Tithing is an act of worship that involves giving 10 percent of one's income to the church, as instructed in the Bible. It's a regular reminder of our gratitude for God's provision and a way to support the work of the church. On the other hand, offerings are gifts above and beyond the tithe.

How much money are you supposed to give to the church? ›

Tithing is giving ten percent of your income to God. The church is the most common place for tithing, but some people even tithe in different ways. A lot of times, people give certain percentages or amounts they feel led to tithe to other organizations.

Can you tithe with a check? ›

Tithing to your church.

Donating to your local church via paper check is still a favorite for many people. This helps you trace your giving and makes it easy for your church to deposit.

How much does the average American give to church? ›

The average donation to a church is $205.

33.88% of gifts are between $100-$249. 13.27% of gifts are between $250-$499. 6.13% of gifts are between $500-$999. 2.85% of gifts are greater than $1,000.

Can a church fire you for not tithing? ›

The First Amendment protects a church's right to restrict employment to those employees who choose to abide by church teaching.

What does the Bible say about donating money to the Church? ›

2 Corinthians 9:6: Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 2 Corinthians 9:7: Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Do you tithe every paycheck? ›

How often should I give? It depends on how you receive your increase. Some people receive their paycheck once a month, some twice a month, some every other week, others only when they make a sale. Tithe according to your period when you receive an increase.

Is it a sin not to tithe? ›

Remember, tithing was an Old Testament obligation that was incumbent on the Jews under the Law of Moses. Christians are dispensed from the obligation of tithing ten percent of their incomes, but not from the obligation to help the Church.

What are the consequences of not paying tithes? ›

The promise in Malachi is that if you tithe, the Lord will open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing such that there will not be room to receive it. If one chooses not to tithe, those windows remain closed and the promised blessings are not received.

What does God say about tithing when in debt? ›

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7, NIV). There are so many benefits to giving. Always. We encourage you to continue doing it even as you dig your way out of debt.

Can I give my tithe to the poor instead of church? ›

Tithes and offerings in the Old Testament and New Testament were to create an opportunity for God's people to worship Him. As Christians, making a decision on where to give should align with the same goal. Therefore, if you have a passion to help the poor, go for it!

What happens if you don't have money to tithe? ›

If you can't afford to tithe due to a tight budget, you can always volunteer your time and talents, says Deborah L. Meyer, CPA/PFS, CFP®, and the author of Redefining Family Wealth: A Parent's Guide to Purposeful Living. “Giving both your money and your time are forms of tithing,” Meyer explained.

Can a church force you to tithe? ›

The answer to “how is that possible?” is that federal law exempts religious organizations like churches from laws against religious discrimination. That means that churches can, for example, require that employees be “church members in good standing” and good standing can require tithing.

Can I tithe my time instead of money? ›

Giving your time is a great way to honor God and show love to others. But it should be done in addition to your tithe, not as a replacement for it. See, the Bible is pretty clear on the importance of tithing. And it doesn't offer another option when it comes to giving 10% of your resources back to God.

What percentage of salary should go to church? ›

The Bible very plainly gives us the tithe as ten percent. I think that's a good starting point in how we give, and the New Testament never repeals it. Paul tells us that the Lord loves a cheerful giver and that we're not to give begrudgingly (2 Cor.

What percentage should payroll be for a church? ›

In most cases, salaries and compensation make up the biggest percentage of a church budget. With staff compensation set at around 50%, you can then allocate around 40% of your budget to ministry expenses and operations.

How much of your paycheck goes to the church? ›

According to the Bible, the tithe includes 10% of a believer's income. Later on, the New Testament affirms and endorses generosity to the church. Of course, tithing amounts may vary from person to person. But 10% is generally considered the standard for tithers.

Does the Bible say to give 10% of your money to the church? ›

The verse about tithing one-tenth of your income is found in Leviticus 27:30: “'A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.” The 10% requirement specifically comes from the Hebrew translation of tithe, “עשר” or “ten”.

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