Budget, Finances and Pledging

Tudsday December 12th, we will be discussing the annual budget at council. All are welcome to attend and share your thoughts and prayers. The current budget predictions give us a $45,000 deficit for 2007. There are increases in payroll, conference expenses and utilities, but the largest area of concern is on the income side. We have budgeted for less income from fundrasisers and more importantly plan for more than $10,000 less in pledging this year.

If everyone at the church brought a full tithe (10% of income) to the church, it would greatly expand what we could do, covering our whole budget with pledging alone. This would take all pressure off of other fundraising and expand both our outreach into the community as well as our ability to care for members that might need financial help. Please pray for our church budget as we consider it on the 12th and also pray about your own stewardship. It is always possible to further raise pledges.

As to the long-term health of the church, I find that there is a greater sense of outreach than there was even a year ago. If we continue to increase our outreach both in missions and in basic care for our neighbors, I have no doubt the ministry will grow. I point this out, not because we are counting on increased numbers to save the finances of the church. Rather, as long as we have a vital ministry that reaches out to the community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I trust God will provide what the ministry needs.