I'm not a 'true' Christian, but pop into our local Church now & then, 'cos it's such a beautiful, peaceful place. it's also where our daughters got married & I imagine my late Mum, Dad & loved ones all being together.
I sometimes buy postcards to send to my older sisters &/or put money in the building upkeep box. That's my contribution.
I don;t go to church on a sunday now, when I used to we had envelopes that were delivered with the parish magazine and we put out collection in there and put it in the plate during the collection. The collection destination was always announced before it began, some weeks it was for the parish Missionary who was working in Africa, sometimes it was for the local orphanage, sometimes it was for a specific British charity or hospital.
So has it changed now?As far as i remember the collection was cash in a basket or bowl and wasnt destined anywhere except the church coffers .Be they at the church or the head office , if you call it that ?
At all the weddings & christenings I've ever been to (dwindling these days tho'), the vicar or member of staff, have stood with a basket for donations, by the door as you leave.
Haven't been to one for a while, so maybe some Churches still do that Leg.
I donl;t think the church collection goes to the church coffers these days, they raise funds by providing the church servcies like weddings and funerals (christenings are free) , if the church collection went to the church imagine the work the accountants would have!"!!
yes, I go to church about 1 Sunday in 3. I f I am on holiday I try and find a church to go to there.
My local church has a basket on the way out to put donations in. I also buy a candle, and light itfor my late brother.
:-)