FIGURING THE COST

Leaders of our congregation are beginning a significant conversation about bringing our operating budget in line with promised support. You, as a member of the congregation, will be brought into this family talk in the upcoming weeks.

We have great things to celebrate: 20% of the households that have made a pledge of financial support are first-time pledgers to FUMCB/The Open Door; many people increased their giving by 6-10% and beyond; the number of children and youth participating in the church is increasing, on and on the good news goes.

However, despite the growth in giving there remains a significant gap of between $150,000-200,000 between income and expected ministry expenses. Believe it or not this is not a new condition for our congregation. As long ago as 1991 our people organized a task force to address a $100,000 budget shortfall.

For the last twenty-two years leaders and pastors have worked hard to make ministry happen despite the gap between giving and expenses. Lead pastors have taken on the role of perpetual fund raisers, income was used from the post office lease to cover expenses, and bequest or estate gifts were also used to pay current bills rather than building an endowment. Sometimes we have engaged in mid year or seasonal appeals just to make the budget.

Your church’s lay leaders-with my support-have decided to address this issue.

Here are the two primary reasons. First, good stewardship demands that we spend only what God’s people are willing to give.

Second, this gap distracts us-pastors and laity-from the great work we have to do sharing the Good News of God’s love: reaching out to adults and youth and children, developing small groups, feeding the hungry and welcoming the stranger and blessing the world. Great things are happening, but we keep taking our eyes off our mission to make sure we are one step ahead of a serious financial crisis.

Some of the changes may be painful, but we believe they are a necessary step to congregational health, growth, and a more faithful stewardship life. A task force headed by E.G. White is working hard. They ask for your prayers and gracious, careful attention. Watch for more information about all of this.

In Luke 14 Jesus is talking about what is involved in following him. He says this (The Message) in verses 28-30, “Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn’t first sit down and figure the cost so you’ll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you’re going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you; ‘He started something he couldn’t finish.’”

God’s house can’t be right if the financial foundation isn’t right. The church can’t challenge men and women to be faithful stewards unless the church practices faithful stewardship.

On the other side of these decisions there is, I believe, a church that is healthier, more mission focused, and more effective. But this will demand grace and patience from all of us.  God is also calling us to look beyond our own interests to the greater good of the total church.

May God give us grace and wisdom to lay a proper foundation. Because God has a great house of grace and love God is wanting to continue building here!

In Christ and for Christ,

Mark