From what we have: the Gift Array
Our congregations are rich and diverse. Our faith, church life and personal situations are all different. The gift array offers guidance to help disciples make personal giving decisions.
At the heart of the Gift Array is a rich biblical principle which should shape our church practice. When they celebrate the great festivals no one is to come empty-handed: ‘Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you.”’ (Deut 16:16–17). Paul tells us that our gifts are, ‘acceptable according to what one has...’ (2 Cor 8:12) and ‘in keeping with our income’ (1 Cor. 16:2).
The Gift Array simply puts this biblical principle into practical action.
From the heart
We want to give from the heart. But how does the heart know what to give? ‘Vicar, I hear you. But what do you want me to do?’ Lack of guidance rarely grows good giving. For many Christians that guidance is the tithe: 10% of our income. In the 2025 Anglican Giving Survey 54% said they were aware of tithing and 45% that they practiced tithing. Also in 2025 Stewardship found the average gift of 5.3% of after tax income (£124). The figure is skewed higher by the gifts of the most committed Christians in their survey who gifted on average over 11% of their after-tax monthly income.
Some tithe, many don’t. The Gift Array is fully consistent with tithing and also offers helpful guidance for all church members to make a thoughtful, generous giving response.
A choice of responses
We’ve seen gift arrays on charity mailings suggesting a range of gifts e.g. £3 or £5 or £10. It’s a simple range of giving options so people can make giving decisions that respect personal circumstances, faith and relationship with their church. Instead of a single, one-size-fits-all request, the Gift Array puts the principle of differentiation into practice. The range of responses invites people to step out of their comfort zone or past practice and helps raise giving expectations within the church.
What does it look like?
Briefly, there are three parts to a Gift Array. First we have the number (no names of course) of our regular planned givers. Second, we have a weekly target for increased giving e.g. £237. Third, we have a number of giving options to hot that £237. For example, we may need 7 givers to increase their weekly gift by £2; 11 givers to increase by £3; 14 givers to increase by £4; 10 by £5, 8 by £7 and so on. You will see that the array amounts are ‘bell shaped’ - the lowest and highest bands should have the fewest givers.
The point is that individuals can look at the array and choose a gift band that works for them in their situation - and can ask themselves what the challenge of moving beyond their comfort zone might look and feel like for them.
Creating a Gift Array
It easy enough to create a Gift Array. It’s about instinct; trial and error. Check out Video 5 on Gather the Data.
From what we have
A one-size-fits-all giving ask can ask too much from some, too little from others. It allows too many to make peace with low expectations. St Paul invites us to give from what we have, not what we don’t have (2 Cor 8:13)