Discover Meaningful Ways to Support East Side Tabernacle Church

Supporting the mission and ministries of East Side Tabernacle Church can take many forms beyond traditional Sunday offerings. Whether you are a long-time member, a neighbor on the East Side, or a friend from afar, there are a variety of flexible, impactful ways to give that align with your financial situation, values, and spiritual convictions.

Why Alternative Giving Matters

Alternative giving options allow you to be intentional and strategic with your generosity. They can help you:

• Integrate giving into your everyday financial habits
• Maximize the long-term impact of your resources
• Support church ministries even when you cannot give cash immediately
• Steward assets such as investments, property, or personal items for Kingdom purposes

By exploring other ways to give, you participate in sustaining worship, outreach, discipleship, and community care on the East Side and beyond.

Non-Cash Gifts That Make a Lasting Impact

Gifts of Securities and Investments

Donating appreciated stocks, bonds, or mutual funds can be one of the most tax-efficient ways to support the church. Instead of selling the asset and then donating cash, you can transfer the security directly. In many cases, this approach may reduce capital gains tax while still providing a charitable deduction, enabling you to give more with the same asset.

These types of gifts can be especially meaningful at year’s end or during major life transitions, such as retirement or the sale of a business.

Real Estate and Property

For some, a significant portion of their net worth is held in real estate. Donating property—whether it is a residence, investment property, or land—can provide substantial support to the church’s ministries. In certain circumstances, you can even arrange to continue using the property for a period of time while still making a charitable commitment.

Real estate gifts can help fund building improvements, community outreach, or long-term ministry initiatives.

Personal Property and In-Kind Gifts

In addition to financial assets, the church may benefit from donated goods and services. This can include items such as equipment, furnishings, or other resources that support worship services, education, or community programs. Professional skills and specialized services can also be an important part of in-kind giving, especially when they offset costs the church would otherwise incur.

Legacy Giving and Planned Stewardship

Including the Church in Your Will or Estate Plan

One of the most powerful ways to support the future of East Side Tabernacle Church is through legacy giving. By including the church in your will, trust, or estate plan, you make a statement about your faith and your desire to see the gospel proclaimed to future generations.

A bequest can be structured as a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, or a remainder after other obligations are met. This approach allows you to care for your loved ones while also investing in the ongoing ministry of the church.

Retirement Accounts and Beneficiary Designations

Another strategic approach is to designate the church as a beneficiary of retirement accounts such as IRAs, 401(k)s, or similar plans. Retirement assets are often taxed differently than other parts of an estate, and directing a portion to a charitable organization can sometimes be more tax-efficient than leaving those same assets to individuals.

Updating beneficiary forms is typically simple and can be done without revising your entire will, making this a convenient way to structure planned giving.

Life Insurance as a Tool for Generosity

Life insurance policies offer yet another avenue for planned giving. You may choose to:

• Name the church as a full or partial beneficiary of an existing policy
• Transfer ownership of a policy you no longer need
• Establish a new policy with the church as the intended beneficiary

These options allow you to create a future gift that may be larger than what you could give during your lifetime, while potentially offering current or future tax benefits.

Employer-Based and Workplace Giving

Matching Gifts

Many employers offer matching gift programs that can multiply the effect of your generosity. When you make a qualifying contribution, your company may match a portion—or sometimes all—of your gift. Taking a few minutes to check whether your employer sponsors a matching program can significantly increase the support the church receives.

Payroll Giving and Automatic Contributions

Workplace giving programs can also facilitate regular, automated contributions directly from your paycheck. By spreading your gift over the course of the year, you may find it easier to build consistent generosity into your monthly budget while helping the church plan more effectively.

Everyday Generosity and Lifestyle Giving

Budgeting for Consistent Support

Not all creative giving involves complex financial instruments. A simple but powerful step is to incorporate giving to East Side Tabernacle Church into your regular budget. Setting aside a percentage of your income—whether large or small—encourages discipline, prioritizes your values, and enables the church to anticipate resources for ministry.

Seasonal and Special Occasion Gifts

Special occasions offer natural moments for focused generosity. Birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, or personal milestones can become opportunities to honor God’s faithfulness with a designated gift. Families may also choose to make gifts together during seasons like Advent, Lent, or Thanksgiving as a visible expression of gratitude.

Supporting Ministry Through Time and Talent

While financial generosity is vital, giving also includes the offering of your time, skills, and presence. Serving in church ministries, participating in outreach, teaching, mentoring, or providing practical help during events are all valuable forms of support.

When financial gifts are combined with active involvement, the impact on the congregation and surrounding community multiplies. Together, these offerings help create a welcoming environment where people can encounter Christ, grow in faith, and experience genuine community.

Aligning Your Giving With Your Faith

Every gift—large or small, immediate or planned—is a reflection of the heart. Exploring other ways to give is not only about financial strategy; it is about aligning your resources with your commitment to Christ and His church. By considering non-cash gifts, legacy planning, workplace giving, and everyday generosity, you participate in a story that reaches far beyond a single service or season.

As you discern how best to support East Side Tabernacle Church, take time to pray, reflect, and seek wise counsel. Thoughtful generosity can transform both the ministries you support and the way you understand your own calling as a steward of God’s gifts.