Giving FAQs

What is a pledge?
It is your documented financial commitment to support our ministries for the year ahead. 

Considering your pledge
What to consider as you determine your pledge:

  • Pray. Give it to God. We are members of St. Mark’s because of our love and commitment to Christ and the Christian life. Ask for God’s help to guide you.

  • Your life’s blessings. Your pledge should be given in a sense of gratitude and joy for all we have received in our lives.

  • Why is St. Mark’s special to you? Is it the liturgy, our service to others in the community and the world, our lifelong Christian education, the music, or just the pure joy of our fellowship?

  • Why is St. Mark’s not another “charity?" We all give to worthy causes and trust them to do good things. At St. Mark’s we know all the great things we do are in God’s name. Your pledge to St. Mark’s is an affirmation of faith and your commitment to ensure the vitality of our parish, just as we have done since 1959.

  • Challenge yourself. In the end, pledging is about letting go of our agenda so that we can say yes to God’s agenda for us.

  • Every pledge matters. Some people think that St. Mark’s is funded primarily by a few very generous members of the parish. This is NOT the case – and for that we are blessed. Since every pledge matters, your pledge matters.

Why not simply give as I can through the collection plate?
Your pledge reinforces the importance of God and St. Mark’s in your life. And our pledges provide the vestry with an estimate of expected income essential to the preparation of our annual budget. St. Mark’s simply cannot operate and thrive without a reasonable estimate of financial resources. 

How much should I pledge?
The actual amount, of course, is entirely a personal decision. But, it should be grounded in your faith, love, and commitment to God’s work through St. Mark’s. Your pledge should not be an afterthought or casual decision. It requires reflection, prayer and priority. Proverbs 3:9 says it best: “Honor the Lord with your wealth and the first fruits of all you produce.”

Is my pledge confidential?
Yes. The actual amounts of individual pledges are available only to the Rector and the Bookkeeper.  

How can I pay my pledge?
There are several different ways to honor your pledge:

  • Make regular payments by check into the offering plate.

  • Use your bank’s automatic draft system and set up regular weekly, monthly or other periodic payments directly to the church.

  • Give online through St. Mark’s online giving system.

  • Use appreciated stocks or IRA payouts to pay your pledge. If you plan to pursue this route, please be in contact with our Bookkeeper to make sure all the details are sorted out correctly: mark at stmarksaustin dot org.

What if my situation changes and I cannot fulfill my pledge?
We completely understand that life’s circumstances do change, often unexpectedly. In this case, please alert the Bookkeeper so that our records can be amended as needed.