Why consider leaving a gift in your will to the Church?
It helps us to make a lasting gift to our Church family and helps us to secure the work for the Church for future generations. Christians are stewards of a Gospel that tells what God has done. We are called to pass on what God has given to us.
The Bible challenges us to be careful stewards of all that God has given to us, passing on what God has given to us is also implicit in the words of the Great Commission: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28: 28-29)
Motivated by a love for God many Christians today follow St Paul’s advice in 1 Corinthians 16: 2 and give a regular proportion of their income to the Church. That principle can be extended to cover what we will give back to God when we have no further earthly use for what God has given. Giving a proportion of your estate is called a “residuary legacy”. Gifts made to the Church and other charities are exempt from Inheritance Tax.
More information:
For Individuals:
If you are interested in finding out more about leaving a gift in your will to the Church, then contact the Church of England’s Legacy Information Line: 08445 870875 (A LoCall number) and ask for the free information pack: “Help and Support as you make your Will”. There is also a dedicated website with information on making and revising wills and leaving a gift to the Church. The website offers a range of resources to help you think about making or reviewing a will, and how this fits into the Christian life. It includes: Resources to help you find out more about making a Will, a checklist to use before visiting a Solicitor, reflections on how the wishes we express in our wills link with the decisions we make on Christian giving and examples of how churches have benefited down the centuries from the generosity of donors who have cared for the future of Christian ministry in their parish. Visit the Church Legacy website.
For PCCs and Parishes:
There is a range of resources and ideas to help parishes encourage legacy giving on the Parish Resources Website