Giving FAQs
Q: How does my giving support the church?
Your giving supports Southwood's ongoing ministry and mission in many ways: 
- Worship opportunities for over 1,000 people every week
- Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and Youth Programs for hundreds of children and youth
- Food for the hungry, medical care for the uninsured, and mentors for at-risk kids
- Health care, shelter, educational and economic opportunity, and the love of Christ to people in Honduras and Tanzania
- Operating costs for staff and building maintenance
Q: What is online giving?
Online giving is the ability to give a donation or schedule a series of donations using your debit or credit card on our website.
Q: Is online giving secure?
All debit or credit card information is entered on a secured site.No one has access to your data unless authorized by you.
Q: Are there any hidden charges or fees to give online?
Nope. You select the dollar amount for your gift. That is the dollar amount that will be recognized as your donation.
Q: Can I try out online giving just one time?
Sure. Select “One Time” in the frequency drop‐down box.
Q: Can I set up an automatic online giving schedule?
Yes. You can choose weekly or monthly giving schedules.
Q: Once I set up a giving schedule, how do I change or cancel it?
To make changes to a weekly or monthly giving schedule, contact Lori Changstrom (402) 423.5511.
Q: If we want to help people get out of debt, why does Southwood accept credit card donations?
Credit cards can be an efficient tool for payments and purchases. Many people utilize them in place of checks or cash throughout the month, and then pay off the balance in full. For these people, we offer the option of using a credit card to give. We strongly discourage those who have ongoing credit card debt from exercising this option.
Q: How should I tithe if my income varies from pay period to pay period?
Some people choose to give exactly one‐tenth of their earnings for each individual pay‐period. Others estimate their total earnings for the year and give a portion of the total tithe each week or month throughout the year.
Q: Should I tithe off my gross earnings or the net amount of my paycheck?
Scripture doesn’t use the terms “net” or “gross”. What is clear in scripture is that God places a high value on the spirit in which we give -- “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Q: How can I keep a record of the amount I have contributed?
Southwood sends monthly statements of giving to all who contribute to the church by either email or US mail.
Q: How do I designate amounts to go to different funds?
If giving online, enter the appropriate amount(s) on the lines for different funds. If you are using an offering envelope, use the lines on the outside of your offering envelope in the same way. This will ensure that your offering is applied according to your wishes. If you would like offering envelopes, please contact the church office at 402.423.5511.
Q: I give an offering every week. Why should I make an annual pledge?
Making an annual pledge is a step of faith....deciding in advance to give faithfully. It helps you to be intentional about your giving as a way to grow in your faith. Annual pledges also provide the church with a tool for forecasting, planning, and budgeting resources.As a partner in our ministry, you make Southwood's ministry most effective when you take seriously God's call to give and make a commitment to answer the call.
Q: Does Southwood accept gifts for specific items?
Southwood does accept gifts for specific items, provided that the Church Council has approved those gifts. For example, we accept gifts for the Food Pantry, the Mission Unlimited Capital Campaign which is helping to pay for our building, Southwood’s Music Fund, and many others. If you have a question about gifting for a specific item, please contact Lori Changstrom (402-423-5511).
Q: If I date a check 12/31/08, but I don’t deliver it to the church until 1/3/09, can I deduct it on my 2008 tax return?
No. Charitable contributions must be claimed in the year in which they are delivered. One exception is a check that is mailed – it is deductible in the year the check is mailed and postmarked, even if it is received after the first of the year.