PAR

PAR, or Pre-Authorized Remittance, is a “direct debit” program that allows people to support their church through an automatic monthly withdrawal from their bank account. The United Church administers the program following the giver's wishes (e.g., “x” amount for local church expenses and “x” amount for the Mission and Service Fund). Once a month, all PAR givings are debited from givers’ accounts and then the total, less a service fee, is electronically transferred to local church accounts.

PAR was introduced in 1976 as a convenient way for members and adherents to provide consistent, year-round financial support for their local church. It's now growing at a rate of about 15 percent every year. Increasing numbers of people find that monthly direct debiting allows them to more intentionally plan and honour their financial commitments to their local church.

Some PAR Facts

As of August 2008

• There are 1,479 United Churches on PAR, with regulated income in local, M&S, and other designations.
• There are 40,165 United Church donors on PAR, and more than half of that contribute to the Mission and Service Fund.
• The average PAR donation is $117.02 per person per month. The average national donation is $76.50 per month.
• The average PAR M&S donation is $30.80 per person per month. The average national M&S donation is $17.01 per month.
• The United Church of Canada charges the congregation 50 cents per debit per month (with a cap at $45). This monthly fee charged to the churches helps to offset the costs related to bank charges, promotion of PAR, and the staff who administer the program. These fees have remained constant for several years.