How to Determine Your Tithing at Highlands Community Church: A Walk Through History and Giving

Highlands Community Church began its journey in 1999 with a small group of committed individuals led by Pastor Tim Gonzalez. Pastor Tim is originally from upstate New York. From its original vision of sharing the love of Christ in Highlands County, the church has grown into a thriving hub for spiritual growth, education, and community outreach. Today, it spans a 17,500-square-foot building situated on a 6-acre lot and regularly hosts activities ranging from worship services to community events.

The church also plays a key role in supporting missions both locally and globally, partnering with the broader Missionary Church organization to fulfill its commitment to Jesus Christ and the Great Commission. The current building was acquired in 2012, and it has since undergone multiple renovations to better serve the community’s needs. The facilities include a main worship hall, classrooms, and dedicated spaces for various ministries, ensuring that the church is well-equipped to host community activities and services.

Whether you are a long-time member or a seasonal attendee, tithing is an important way to contribute to the church’s mission. This article will explore the history of Highlands Community Church, its community events, and provide a practical guide to determine your tithing, complete with tables and formulas.

Community Events and Activities

Highlands Community Church is not just a place of worship; it is also a community center that fosters fellowship, learning, and service. Here are some key events and activities that define the church’s role in the community:

1. Weekly Worship Services: Every Sunday, Highlands Community Church holds a worship service at 10:30 AM, preceded by a time for fellowship at 10:00 AM. The church is located at 3005 New Life Way, Sebring, FL, and welcomes everyone to join in worship. These services are designed to bring people together in worship and to hear the Word.

1. Food Distribution Fridays: The church runs a food distribution program every Friday from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. This is part of the church’s ongoing effort to support those in need in the community, offering basic food supplies to anyone who comes by. The church partners with local charities and organizations to make this event successful week after week.
2. Children’s and Youth Ministries: During Sunday services, Kids Church is also offered, providing a dedicated space for children to learn about faith in an age-appropriate setting. There is also a nursery available for families with young children.
3. Special Community Events: Highlands Community Church hosts a range of special events, such as women’s ministry gatherings like the recent “Flip Flops” event where women gathered to decorate flip-flops, share food, and enjoy fellowship. These events are designed to engage specific groups within the church community and provide fun, meaningful experiences.
4. Membership in Central Florida Cities: Highlands Community Church recently became a member of Central Florida Cities, which has expanded their reach, allowing them to post events and share church activities on broader platforms such as sebring.com. This helps attract people from nearby communities like Avon Park and Lake Placid.
5. Community Engagement Projects: The church encourages members to be involved in community projects, such as helping with infrastructure improvements like the paving of New Life Way. This hands-on approach helps foster a strong sense of community among members and residents.
6. New Series and Bible Studies: The church is constantly renewing its teaching series, encouraging attendees to participate actively in their faith journey. Bible studies and discussions, such as those led by Pastor Tim Gonzalez, are integral parts of the church’s weekly offerings.
7. Men’s Bible Study: There is a men’s bible study held at the church every other Tuesday where men get together, share a dish that one of the members’ wives made, and then do bible study and catch up. It runs from 6 to 7 PM and is led by Pastor Tim.

Understanding Tithing

Tithing is traditionally considered the act of giving 10% of your income to the church. It is both a spiritual discipline and a practical way to support your faith community. Highlands Community Church relies on the generosity of its members to cover its operating costs and help it fulfill its mission.

Whether you attend regularly or just occasionally, determining how much to tithe can be simplified with a formula based on your income, attendance, and personal commitment. Let’s break down how you can calculate a tithing amount that works for you.

Basic Formula for Calculating Your Tithe

To calculate your tithe, you can use a simple formula based on your gross annual income and percentage of income you feel called to give. The formula is:

Where:

• Gross Annual Income: Your yearly earnings before taxes and deductions.
• Tithing Percentage: Traditionally, this is 10%, but it can be adjusted based on your comfort and financial capability.
• Number of Giving Occasions: The number of times per year that you plan to give (e.g., weekly, monthly, etc.).

Example Calculation

Let’s take a member named Sarah, who attends Highlands Community Church every Sunday. Sarah earns $50,000 annually and plans to tithe 10%. She gives on Sundays (52 occasions per year).

Using the formula:

Sarah would give approximately $96 each time she attends church.

Attendance-Based Giving Guidelines for Highlands Community Church

For those who attend less frequently or want to adjust their giving based on attendance, here is a table to help determine your approximate tithing amount based on a base income of $50,000:

Nuanced Giving Formulas Specific to Highlands Community Church

Depending on how often you attend and your financial situation, you might want to adjust your giving approach. Here are some more nuanced ways to calculate your tithe:

1. Seasonal Attendee Formula

If you are a seasonal attendee (e.g., you visit during winter months when you are in Florida), you may want to calculate a lump sum to cover your intended tithe for the year. This can be broken down across your visits:

For instance, if Mary attends only during winter and earns $50,000 annually, intending to give 10%, and she visits 12 times per year:

Mary would give approximately $417 per visit.

2. Monthly Giving Plan

For those who prefer a consistent monthly amount rather than giving based on attendance, a monthly giving plan could be more manageable:

For example, if you earn $50,000 annually and want to tithe 10%:

This means you could set up a monthly donation of $417 to maintain consistency in your giving.

Should Occasional Attendees Tithe 10%?

For occasional attendees, the traditional guideline of 10% might not always feel applicable, especially if you only attend a handful of times each year. It is perfectly reasonable for occasional or irregular attendees to adjust their giving in a way that better reflects their attendance and financial situation.

Here are a few considerations:

• Proportional Giving: Instead of focusing on the 10% rule, occasional attendees might give a proportional amount that feels comfortable and meaningful. This could mean donating a larger lump sum once or twice per year, or giving a smaller amount each time you attend.
• Supporting Specific Initiatives: Some attendees choose to direct their giving toward specific church projects or community initiatives, like supporting the Food Distribution Fridays or contributing during seasonal fundraising campaigns. This way, their giving feels more closely tied to the activities they value most.
• Modified Tithing Percentage: You might consider lowering the percentage from 10% to something that fits better with your financial circumstances and the number of times you attend. For instance, a 5% tithe might be more appropriate for someone who attends sporadically.

The important thing is that your giving reflects both your ability and your commitment to supporting the church’s mission in whatever way is most meaningful to you. Highlands Community Church values every contribution, regardless of size or frequency, as each donation helps keep the community and its outreach efforts thriving.

Personalizing Your Tithe

While 10% is often used as a guideline, there is no strict rule for tithing at Highlands Community Church. Some members may give more during financially stable periods, while others may contribute less based on their personal circumstances. It’s ultimately about giving what feels right to you in support of the church’s mission.

Alternative Tithing Formula for Irregular Attendees

For those who attend irregularly (e.g., seasonal visitors during winter months), consider determining a lump sum annual tithe instead:

For example, if you attend only during the winter and earn $50,000 annually, you might decide to give a lump sum of $5,000 over the course of your visits or split across a few occasions.

Summary

Note: This article is written by me, just a member of the church, and does not reflect any official messages or information from Highlands Community Church.

Tithing is a meaningful way to contribute to the growth and sustainability of Highlands Community Church. By giving according to your means and commitment level, you are helping ensure that the church can continue its mission of serving Highlands County for many years to come. Whether you give $20 when you attend or follow a traditional 10% guideline, your contributions make a difference.

How You Can Give

There are several ways to contribute to Highlands Community Church, based on what best suits your needs and preferences:

• Online: Visit https://secure.myvanco.com/L-Z944 to give conveniently through an online portal.
• Mail: Send your contribution to Highlands Community Church at 3005 New Life Way, Sebring, FL 33870.
• In Person: Place your donation in one of the baskets during Sunday services.

Specific Giving Opportunities

• General Tithes: Regular contributions help support the church’s general operations and ongoing activities.
• Benevolence Ministry: Gifts to this ministry go toward helping those in need within the community.
• Children / Student Ministry: Contributions support programs that nurture the spiritual growth of young people.
• Pay Down Church Mortgage: As of October 2024, there is over $125,000 remaining on the mortgage. Additional support can help pay this down faster, freeing up resources for more ministry work.
• Miscellaneous Gifts: Contributions for various specific needs of the church.
• Vacation Bible School Supplies: Provide supplies for Vacation Bible School (VBS) to ensure a positive experience for the children involved.

We encourage everyone to give in a way that reflects both their financial ability and personal connection to the church’s mission. Please feel free to contact Pastor Tim Gonzalez or Administrative Assistant Lori Andrews if you have questions about tithing or need guidance on how to get started.