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THE PROPERTY HANDBOOK
SECTION 08
Gifting and loaning of
congregational funds
Introduction
The 2008 General Assembly wished to make it easier for the Church’s financial resources
to be shared more widely. In response, the Church Property Trustees, in consultation
with the Council of Assembly, developed a process to encourage congregations and
presbyteries to gift or lend funds to another congregation or presbytery. Through Press
Go, the Church can collectively evaluate and fund promising growth projects, and
parishes are urged to gift or loan funds through Press Go.
Gifting of non-capital funds
No external approvals are needed if a parish wishes to gift any of its surplus funds
that have not come from the sale of a church property. However, the Church Property
Trustees and the Council of Assembly expect that proposals to gift funds, particularly
over $20,000, will first be discussed in principle with the Press Go Board.
The donor church council should develop a formal proposal, to be put to the congregation
for approval. Once approved, the funds can be gifted directly to the Press Go Board, or
to the selected recipient parish or presbytery.
Loans from non-capital funds
The donor congregation does not need external approval to lend non-capital funds
but, if the loan is more than $5,000, the recipient parish must seek the approval of
presbytery and the Church Property Trustees to borrow funds. (See flowchart on next
page.) A formal agreement, with clear terms and conditions, should be drawn up, with
legal advice, and signed by both congregations.
Gifting or loans from capital funds
If a congregation has surplus funds from the sale of a property, the approval of
presbytery and the Church Property Trustees is required before the funds can be
transferred to another congregation or to a presbytery.
Information on the detailed requirements for gifting or lending capital funds is available
from the Trustees’ Office. The donor congregation, the recipient congregation and the
presbyteries concerned must all answer a range of questions about the proposal, and
how it will further the church’s mission.