Glossary
Church Specific

Love Offering

By: Alec Hollingsworth
Updated:  
June 16, 2025

DEFINITION:

A love offering is a special, voluntary donation given for a specific cause or individual within a church community.
A love offering is a special, voluntary donation collected by a church or religious organization to meet a specific need, often to support an individual or family in the congregation. Unlike regular tithes or general donations, love offerings are typically designated for a particular purpose, such as helping a guest speaker, assisting a member in financial distress, or supporting a ministry initiative. These offerings are usually collected during a separate portion of a church service, and donors are encouraged to give as they feel led, without obligation. Proper tracking and acknowledgment of love offerings are important for transparency and compliance with nonprofit accounting standards.

Key Takeaways

  • Love offerings are voluntary and designated for specific needs.
  • They are separate from regular tithes or general donations.
  • Proper tracking is essential for transparency and compliance.

Why It Matters

Love offerings help churches support individuals or causes directly and transparently.

Real World Example

A local church discovers that a longtime member’s home was damaged in a fire. During the next Sunday service, the pastor announces a love offering will be collected to help the family with repairs and immediate needs. Churchgoers contribute cash and checks specifically for this purpose, separate from their regular weekly tithes. The church tracks these gifts in a designated fund, provides receipts to donors, and ensures that the entire amount collected is used solely to support the affected family. This process demonstrates both compassion and responsible financial stewardship.

How Aplos Helps

With Aplos, churches can easily set up designated funds for love offerings, ensuring accurate tracking and reporting. The software allows you to create specific campaigns, issue receipts, and maintain donor records, making it simple to manage special collections like love offerings in compliance with nonprofit accounting standards.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of a love offering?

A love offering is collected to meet a specific need, often to support an individual, family, or ministry initiative within the church.

How is a love offering different from a tithe?

Tithes are regular, recurring donations for general church operations, while love offerings are special, voluntary gifts for specific purposes.

How should churches track love offerings?

Churches should use designated funds or accounts to track love offerings separately from other donations to ensure transparency and proper use of funds.