Area of Emphasis: Alabaster
Alabaster Facts
- Churches lay the foundation through Alabaster offerings for places where people worship, heal, and learn by encouraging global participation each year. Every Alabaster project is a joint effort of local contribution and labor, combined with global love and support in bringing tangible presence and a sense of long-term commitment to a community. No Alabaster funds are used for administrative costs.
- Nazarenes gave US $2.9 million for Alabaster to fund projects in 2023. The Alabaster Offering is used in all six global regions.
- Over US $30,000 was raised during the Global NMI Convention in June 2023 at the launch of the 75th anniversary year of Alabaster.
- Often, Alabaster giving goes hand in hand with Nazarene Missions Teams who help build structures funded by Alabaster and the contributions of Nazarene Missions Teams. NMI assisted 374 Nazarene Missions Teams in raising US $1.3 million for projects.
- Alabaster videos are available in English, French, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Through the Alabaster offering, ministries around the world receive funds to purchase property and buildings around the world (including in the United States).
Churches are encouraged to plan to receive an Alabaster offering when it is most convenient for the church calendar. These offerings are over and beyond WEF. When a local church gives these offerings through the appropriate channels, the church will receive credit for 10% given.
History of Alabaster
Following the end of World War II, in the late 1940s, the Church of the Nazarene was experiencing a need for more missions funding. At a meeting of the Global NMI Council, Elizabeth Vennum was asked to find a way to raise funds for land purchases and building construction needs around the world.
As she rode the train home from that council meeting, she said the Lord gave her the details for the Alabaster Offering. The offering was based on the story of the woman pouring perfume on Jesus from a container carved from soft alabaster stone (Luke 7:37-38). Building on that biblical story, Nazarenes were asked to put off buying new perfume for themselves or postpone purchasing something for themselves and to give that money in the Alabaster Offering instead.
In much the same way that the woman gave her bottle of perfume to Jesus, we have been called to pour out a lavish offering for others. Alabaster was first promoted using this phrase: “Give up a want to meet a need.” Alabaster, an offering that for 75 years has been a hallmark of Nazarene generosity and sacrifice, is still achieving great things, laying foundations where people worship, heal, and learn.
What Do Alabaster Funds Do?
Fun fact: 100% of the offering is used to provide funds for property and buildings around the world, including to:
- Purchase a property or convert property into a church gathering space
- Purchase or build a church building or parsonage
- Meet initial costs for renting a church meeting space for a limited period of time
- Purchase or build regional or field missions facilities (e.g., hospitals or schools)
- Build or repurpose buildings on Bible college campuses
Receiving Alabaster Offerings
The Church of the Nazarene does NOT require churches to receive an Alabaster Offering in September and February.
Rather, churches are encouraged to plan to receive an Alabaster offering when it is most convenient for the church calendar. When a local church gives these offerings through the appropriate channels, the church will receive credit toward its 10% given for approved specials.
Resources
(Promotional resources are available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Korean)
