Fast offering
Encyclopedia
Fast offering is the term used in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to denote money or usable commodities donated to that church, which are then available to provide financial help to those in need. The local bishop or branch president
is responsible for the use of the fast offering resources to those in need, and is usually assisted by other local church leaders to identify individuals and families to receive assistance and to disburse the resources.
and to give the money they save by not eating two meals to the church; those who can afford to be more generous are encouraged to give more than simply the money saved as a fast offering.
When the LDS pioneers first settled in the western United States (1847), Church leaders encouraged members to perform their fast on the first Thursday of each month, and to donate the food thus saved to their bishop. These foodstuffs were collected in small buildings called "Bishop's Storehouses", and were held until needed by other members. Over time, this practice was changed: the members, who were primarily farmers and laborers, had difficulty fasting on a day of regular labor, so the day of observance was changed to Sunday; and when money
, in the form of specie
instead of barter
, became more available in the Utah Territory
, members were encouraged to make their donations in cash, which could better be held until needed to purchase food.
s. Specifically, fast offerings are used to provide food, shelter, clothing, and other things for those who are in need, fulfilling the meaning conveyed in Isaiah 58:6–11, with attendant blessings to the giver and the receiver. Tithing
funds are used for buildings such as meetinghouses, temples, and educational facilities, for the general maintenance of church operations, and for costs of missionary and genealogical/family history work.
If members are not usually able to make financial donations during the Sunday meetings, young men (deacons or teachers in the Aaronic Priesthood) are assigned to pass by those members' residences after the church meetings on Fast Sunday, to inquire if they can convey the fast offering to the church's offices.
and Canada
where it is required to do so by law. These financials are audited by the UK office of PricewaterhouseCoopers
.). However, it is claimed the fast offering funds are primarily available to the bishop (to distribute to those in need) in the area where they were collected, but any excess (or deficiency) is shared with the rest of the church, first on a Stake level, then on wider levels.
Branch President
A branch president is a leader of a "branch" congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.The calling of branch president is very similar to the calling of bishop, except that instead of presiding over a ward, the branch president presides over a branch...
is responsible for the use of the fast offering resources to those in need, and is usually assisted by other local church leaders to identify individuals and families to receive assistance and to disburse the resources.
Background
Members are encouraged to fast once a month on Fast SundayFast Sunday
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Fast Sunday is a Sunday set aside for fasting.- Overview :...
and to give the money they save by not eating two meals to the church; those who can afford to be more generous are encouraged to give more than simply the money saved as a fast offering.
When the LDS pioneers first settled in the western United States (1847), Church leaders encouraged members to perform their fast on the first Thursday of each month, and to donate the food thus saved to their bishop. These foodstuffs were collected in small buildings called "Bishop's Storehouses", and were held until needed by other members. Over time, this practice was changed: the members, who were primarily farmers and laborers, had difficulty fasting on a day of regular labor, so the day of observance was changed to Sunday; and when money
Money
Money is any object or record that is generally accepted as payment for goods and services and repayment of debts in a given country or socio-economic context. The main functions of money are distinguished as: a medium of exchange; a unit of account; a store of value; and, occasionally in the past,...
, in the form of specie
Specie
Specie may refer to:* Coins or other metal money in mass circulation* Bullion coins* Hard money * Commodity money* Specie Circular, 1836 executive order by US President Andrew Jackson regarding hard money* Specie Payment Resumption Act...
instead of barter
Barter
Barter is a method of exchange by which goods or services are directly exchanged for other goods or services without using a medium of exchange, such as money. It is usually bilateral, but may be multilateral, and usually exists parallel to monetary systems in most developed countries, though to a...
, became more available in the Utah Territory
Utah Territory
The Territory of Utah was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from September 9, 1850, until January 4, 1896, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Utah....
, members were encouraged to make their donations in cash, which could better be held until needed to purchase food.
Purposes
Donations from fast offerings are not used for the same purposes as those monies given through titheTithe
A tithe is a one-tenth part of something, paid as a contribution to a religious organization or compulsory tax to government. Today, tithes are normally voluntary and paid in cash, cheques, or stocks, whereas historically tithes were required and paid in kind, such as agricultural products...
s. Specifically, fast offerings are used to provide food, shelter, clothing, and other things for those who are in need, fulfilling the meaning conveyed in Isaiah 58:6–11, with attendant blessings to the giver and the receiver. Tithing
Tithe
A tithe is a one-tenth part of something, paid as a contribution to a religious organization or compulsory tax to government. Today, tithes are normally voluntary and paid in cash, cheques, or stocks, whereas historically tithes were required and paid in kind, such as agricultural products...
funds are used for buildings such as meetinghouses, temples, and educational facilities, for the general maintenance of church operations, and for costs of missionary and genealogical/family history work.
Collection methods
Church members are encouraged to make regular financial contributions to the church through the leader of the local church unit, usually a bishop. The combined contribution can include tithing, fast offerings and other humanitarian funds, and is delivered to the leader on a "convenience" basis (i.e. there is no set time either in or outside of a formal meeting where the funds are requested). There is no requirement to make any financial donation (to any of the church's funds) in order to maintain one's membership; such donations are encouraged but are not mandatory.If members are not usually able to make financial donations during the Sunday meetings, young men (deacons or teachers in the Aaronic Priesthood) are assigned to pass by those members' residences after the church meetings on Fast Sunday, to inquire if they can convey the fast offering to the church's offices.
Distribution
No publicly available accounting of these funds exists (The LDS church does disclose its financials in the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
where it is required to do so by law. These financials are audited by the UK office of PricewaterhouseCoopers
PricewaterhouseCoopers
PricewaterhouseCoopers is a global professional services firm headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest professional services firm measured by revenues and one of the "Big Four" accountancy firms....
.). However, it is claimed the fast offering funds are primarily available to the bishop (to distribute to those in need) in the area where they were collected, but any excess (or deficiency) is shared with the rest of the church, first on a Stake level, then on wider levels.