The Adventist Church in Negros Occidental (NOC) held a stewardship seminar on ‘Regular and Systematic Giving’ at the NOC Evangelism Center on April 11–13, 2024. This three-day seminar with the theme "Give God First" aimed to emphasize the importance of returning tithes and offerings to God.
Under the direction of Pastor Heber Bacolod, Stewardship Director of NOC, the event saw a significant turnout, with over 500 registered official delegates from within NOC. Additionally, the Sabbath worship welcomed a massive audience, exceeding 2000 attendees."
Pastor Jibil Simbah, Stewardship Director of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD), emphasized the importance of tithes and offerings during his Sabbath sermon. "It's crucial that each individual plays their role, enabling those in unreached areas to experience God's love," Pastor Simbah stressed. "Our primary goal is to guide others in surrendering their lives to Jesus as a heartfelt response to His love."
Simbah further explained the importance of the Combined Offering Plan (COP). Established through the SSD Council in 2002, this plan guarantees equitable distribution, channeling contributions from local conferences to global missions.
The Combined Offering Plan (COP) serves as the recommended and endorsed method of distributing offerings by the General Conference. It operates on the same foundational principles as tithe distribution. This system ensures comprehensive support for all tiers of the church, including regular and systematic contributions as well as freewill donations. By adhering to COP, the Church provides equitable backing to various regions, administrative levels, ministries, and projects.
"The steadfast commitment to stewardship signifies our dedication to prioritizing our relationship with God as we faithfully return to Him the fruits of our labor," Simbah emphasized.
The event was a resounding success thanks to the support of administrators and staff from various local missions and conferences within the Central Philippine Union Conference (CPUC) and Mindanao Mission.
Stephanie Loriezo, Head Writer, Hope Channel-Bacolod