1. What is Strengthen the Church?

Strengthen the Church is the special mission offering that builds the United Church of Christ's future.  These gifts help start new churches, renew existing churches, foster new leaders and grow the UCC as a community of extravagant welcome.

2. How much is given anually to Strengthen the Church?

In 2008, contributions topped $500,000 for the first time!  Of the $505,552 raised, $247,009 remained with Conferences and $258,543 was directed to national ministries of the UCC.  With your help,  we hope to grow this offering to $1 million!

3. How are Strengthen the Church funds shared?

Funds are shared by conferences and the national setting of the churh. Conferences may use 50% of the offering for local and regional Strengthen the Church efforts, suh as new church starts, leadership develoment, women's ministry and youth. Conferences may provide information about their specific uses in mailings, newsletters, emails, or on their web sites. Contact your Conference office for information.  Conferences forward the remainder of the offering for national ministry use.

4. How are Strengthen the Church funds used by the national ministries of the UCC?

Of the $258,000 diected to the national setting in 2008,

• About $22,000 will support the God is Stillspeaking Ministry, the messaging/advertising arm of the UCC.  This amount will be directed to the Media with a Mission grant program, which last year enabled local churhes to reach 5 million people with TV, radio, electronic and print advertising.
  
  
• About $119,000 will be given in grants to provide pastoral leadership for new church starts and revitalizing congregations, with a goal of creating 250 new churches by 2011. 
  
  
• About $59,500 will be directed toward the work of implementing the General Synod resolution, Preparing Pastoral Leaders for God's Church as well as the work of the UCC Disabilities Ministries.
  
  
• About $20,000 will support Youth @ General Synod as well as a brand new initiative: Regional Women's Ministry Coordinators. Thanks to Strengthen the Church, in April 2009, two women from each of five regions, gathered to train for shared visioning and resouring of Women’s Ministry across their regions.

5. How is Strengthen the Church different from the New Church Challenge Fund?

The need for funds to help pay salary and benefits for new church pastors far exceeds gifts to the Strengthen the Church offering. Because starting new churches is a priority, Local Church Ministries allocates $500,000 from its budget each year. Even so, that meets less than 20% of the need, leaving some requests deferred or denied. The New Church Challenge Fund and New Church Challenge Endowment Fund were established to receive special gifts, major gifts, or bequests from individuals and congregations with a strong desire to plant more new churches. Strengthen the Church provides an annual opportunity for all members to help plant churches, renew existing churches, foster new leaders and grow the UCC as a community of extravagant welcome.

6. How and when can people contribute to Strengthen the Church?

The Strengthen the Church offering is received through local UCC congregations. The suggested date is Pentecost Sunday, but churches may receive it any Sunday. Or, you can always donate online!

7. How do I get Strengthen the Church offering materials?

Offering materials are typically sent to churches about 6 weeks prior to Pentecost. To order additional materials, call toll-free 1-800-537-3394.