PILLARS recurring giving program adopts a new look for a new day

LOUISVILLE —  PILLARS — the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s recurring giving program — is more than just a program.

It’s a community.

Originally launched in 2015 with the name “Pillars of the Church,” today the rebranded PILLARS program is intentionally evolving into a faithful community of committed, connected donors who seek to have an impact by making a regular, ongoing gift to the mission and ministry of the PC(USA).

Just as the ministry area that houses the PILLARS program was itself recently renamed from Ministry Engagement & Support to Stewardship & Funds Development to reflect the PC(USA)’s changing needs and current realities, PILLARS is also receiving a new look alongside its new name, both of which are designed to complement its new strategy.

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“PILLARS captures the essence of support and strength in a single, economical word symbolizing the generous givers’ role as the central supports that hold up the mission and ministry of the Church,” said Joey Brown, associate for Direct Mail & PILLARS in Stewardship & Funds Development (SFD). “While the name conveys that regular contributions are crucial to the Church’s integrity and growth, graphically the pillars are all the same size, which speaks to the Church’s recurring donors as being equal partners in growing the Church and helping people around the world, regardless of the amount of the gift.”

In a simplified one-time signup process, donors can now make their recurring gift in any amount on a weekly, monthly or quarterly basis, designating it to the cause or causes they’re most passionate about. The seven causes, which PILLARS calls “Impact Funds,” align with the missional priorities identified by the PC(USA)’s Interim Unified Agency (IUA), namely:

• The PC(USA) (Shared Mission)
• Global Expressions of Church
• Racial Equity and Women’s Leadership Development
• Hunger and Poverty Alleviation
• Youth and Young Adults
• Disaster Relief
• Churchwide Special Offerings

This strategic shift is in keeping with the recent action taken by the 226th General Assembly (2024) related to the Churchwide Special Offerings, which was intended to allow for greater creativity, flexibility and collaboration in raising funds for mission in a cause rather than program-based model.

“Throughout my years of involvement with the PC(USA), I’ve been aware of the vital ministry of disaster relief that the national expression of the Church is capable of,” said the Rev. Cathy Cummings Chisholm, transitional presbyter and stated clerk of Kendall Presbytery. “Again and again, in workshops, through presentations, news stories, and more, I’ve learned about the many ways we serve congregations and communities in times of trauma and disaster by quickly reaching out to offer immediate assistance as well as providing long-term support. As a mid council leader, I never know what crisis will come with the next phone call or news alert. Knowing that I can call on Presbyterian Disaster Assistance — if they haven’t already called me first! — to assist with pastoral and practical responses is reassuring. Because I’m grateful for our national ministry, I’m happy to make monthly contributions toward disaster relief.”

All donors to the PILLARS program — along with knowing that their recurring gifts will help the PC(USA) continue its vital work to create hope and healing across the U.S. and the world — will receive regular email updates; an annual thank-you bookmark gift; stories of impact in both written and video formats; invitations to virtual and in-person events; and personal connections with IUA leadership and ministry area leaders.

All of these strategic changes designed to resource the PILLARS community are also accompanied by an ambitious goal — to significantly increase the current number of nearly 700 recurring donors.

“I'm hoping you'll join me in sharing according to your capacity to give,” said the Rev. Dr. Jan Edmiston, general presbyter of the Presbytery of Charlotte. “As a mid council leader and Co-Moderator of the 222nd General Assembly (2016), I have seen firsthand the important work of our denomination, from disaster relief to youth conferences to scholarships. Although I have made random donations to assorted programs for years, I also make a monthly donation to PILLARS to benefit the Shared Mission of the Church. These donations not only express my intentional desire to support the work of the wider Church, but my simple gifts partnered with yours can move mountains. The institutional costs are small. The spiritual gains are huge.”

Trying to decide if PILLARS is the best way for you to give? Join the email community to learn about the impact you can make and further your connection to the mission and ministry of the PC(USA). If you are already a Pillar but aren't yet part of the email community, click here now to connect in a deeper way to the ministry and mission you already support.