It seems to me that a budget shortfall happens for 1 of 2 reasons: either the people of the church are not giving in proportion to how God has blessed them, or the church is trying to do more than what God expects from them.
Our deacons are discussing plans to encourage giving this week at our monthly meeting. We are recognizing the responsibility of the deacons to be somewhat aware of those whose giving might not be in proportion to their income, as well as reasons for this giving shortfall. We are discussing how to best address these situations, whether through financial coaching, making direct requests for specific needs in the church, or other ways to broach this difficult issue.
We are also recognizing that giving is directly related to the heart. While in the past we could assume that membership in a church naturally included regular giving, we are aware that people today usually give if they can see some results from their donations. So, rather than simply posting the progress we've made in achieving our budget goals, now we share stories of how our giving is making a difference. If people know that their offering helped to create an environment where a family could find relief from medical debt and avoid being evicted, we hope they will be more likely to give.
Last year, we moved away from a lots system, where we found twice as many nominees as were needed, and we identified individuals who were gifted and willing to serve as elders and deacons and asked the congregation to approve them all, individually, by ballot. We also shifted all administrative business away from the council to and administrative committee and reduced the council agenda to two items, the growth of faith of the individuals of our church, and the development of a 4-step vision for our church as a whole. Everything on the council agenda needed to clearly relate to these two items, and nothing more. We also reduced the number of council meetings to 6 per year, meeting every other month, so that we wouldn't burn out our leaders. We have rediscovered an energy and passion for ministry as we made these changes, though we are still in a season of uncertainty as we adapt.
Thanks, Greg, for a great nudge toward mission through compassion. Neil Plantinga, in his book, "Not The Way It's Supposed To Be", identified anxiety as the context for sin and brokenness in this world. If the cure for fear is perfect love, and God is defined as love itself, is it any wonder that there is no command repeated more often in the Bible than "Do not be afraid." To address fear is to address the context for sin. Helping people find freedom from fear is helping them to become more Godly.
Daily devotional!? You set the bar high, Chris! :) We came into Advent out of a series based on Skye Jethani's book "With". Jethani examines 5 different ways we interact with God (For, From, Over and Under), noting how none of them were what God intended. Rather, God wants to be WITH us, which is made possible in Immanuel. During Advent, then, we've compared and contrasted our "withness" now with being with God in the Garden of Eden, (Genesis 3), at the burning bush (Exodus 3), in the tabernacle (Exodus 40) and in the temple (Ezekiel 10). Christmas Eve will present how much closer we are WITH God than at any time before. Merry Christmas!
People were reading the Jethani book more when we were looking at the 4 alternatives to being WITH God. Those who engaged with the book found it very helpful.
We have an arrangement with the local Salvation Army ministry, whose appointment list for the month fills up in about 2 hours. They have a lot of overflow, so we agree to take one referral from them per week, as time and money allow. In return, we take the information from a "cold call" and with their permission submit it to the Salvation Army for guidance as well as a certain level of screening. We think that if there are people misusing the system, the Salvation Army will know about it. With their advice, we will offer assistance to the individual. We limit our assistance to about $300 per individual, though we may adjust that. We usually limit our assistance to rent/mortgage and utilities, leaving the requests for food for the many food pantries and ministries in town. When there is enough money and time, we can handle about 1 cold call and 1 Salvation Army referral a week. However, when there is not enough, we tell Salvation Army to stop referring for a time, and we tell cold callers that we are out of resources.
When counting our numbers each year, we struggle over the definition of evangelism. We welcome people into membership in the church who have not been part of a church for many years. They are not transferring from a non-CRC church. Still, we wouldn't say that they were new believers. They were believers, separated from their community. This group doesn't seem to fit either label. It seems that there may be a benefit to creating a fourth indicator.
I agree, thank you, Mark, for raising the subject and giving another nudge to the discussion. Response to mental health crisis is vital, as well as mental health maintenance and prevention of crisis. A quote from Ed Friedman's "Generation to Generation" has stuck with me, that "Stress is less the result of some quantitative notion such as 'overwork' and more the effect of our position in the triangle of our families." I know I've found this helpful when I begin to feel the burdens of ministry, that maybe those burdens are not necessary. Could we create a denominational context where it's normal for pastors to consult with mental health care providers, where pastors continue to explore our own areas of risk?
Andrew, I appreciate and agree completely with your comments posted here. There is a right and there is a wrong when it comes to obedience to God's preceptive will.
However, as I read Syd's article (and I'm probably reading it with my own filter) I am understanding the holy uncertainty to be in regards to living out various aspects of God's preceptive will. If I take the traditional view, which I agree is the Biblical view, of marriage, I am just as bound by God's will to provide a place of welcome for someone who is outside of the community. Jesus, living in me, moves me to have supper with people who don't share my values, to the extent that observers think that I am condoning certain behavior (Luke 15:1)
I find myself uncertain about holding on to the traditional interpretation of God's will, and being effective as salt and light in the world. In my experience, we have been so certain about our stand in regards to same sex attraction that we have almost completely cut ourselves off from people who are hurting, both those who experience same sex attraction, as well as their families.
I write this, not in disagreement, but to continue the dialog in order to become more adept at being salt and light in God's world.
Posted in: Trouble Meeting Your Budget? Try Pew Rentals
It seems to me that a budget shortfall happens for 1 of 2 reasons: either the people of the church are not giving in proportion to how God has blessed them, or the church is trying to do more than what God expects from them.
Our deacons are discussing plans to encourage giving this week at our monthly meeting. We are recognizing the responsibility of the deacons to be somewhat aware of those whose giving might not be in proportion to their income, as well as reasons for this giving shortfall. We are discussing how to best address these situations, whether through financial coaching, making direct requests for specific needs in the church, or other ways to broach this difficult issue.
We are also recognizing that giving is directly related to the heart. While in the past we could assume that membership in a church naturally included regular giving, we are aware that people today usually give if they can see some results from their donations. So, rather than simply posting the progress we've made in achieving our budget goals, now we share stories of how our giving is making a difference. If people know that their offering helped to create an environment where a family could find relief from medical debt and avoid being evicted, we hope they will be more likely to give.
Posted in: Church Websites
Peace Christian Reformed Church, Cedar Rapids Iowa
http://www.peacechurch-cr.org
Posted in: Has Your Church Restructured Your Governance Model?
Last year, we moved away from a lots system, where we found twice as many nominees as were needed, and we identified individuals who were gifted and willing to serve as elders and deacons and asked the congregation to approve them all, individually, by ballot. We also shifted all administrative business away from the council to and administrative committee and reduced the council agenda to two items, the growth of faith of the individuals of our church, and the development of a 4-step vision for our church as a whole. Everything on the council agenda needed to clearly relate to these two items, and nothing more. We also reduced the number of council meetings to 6 per year, meeting every other month, so that we wouldn't burn out our leaders. We have rediscovered an energy and passion for ministry as we made these changes, though we are still in a season of uncertainty as we adapt.
Posted in: What Do You Call Your Benevolence Ministry?
We changed ours a few years ago and call it our Assistance Fund, overseen by our Assistance Deacon
Posted in: Fear-Power Worldview
Thanks, Greg, for a great nudge toward mission through compassion. Neil Plantinga, in his book, "Not The Way It's Supposed To Be", identified anxiety as the context for sin and brokenness in this world. If the cure for fear is perfect love, and God is defined as love itself, is it any wonder that there is no command repeated more often in the Bible than "Do not be afraid." To address fear is to address the context for sin. Helping people find freedom from fear is helping them to become more Godly.
Posted in: What's Your Advent Theme This Year?
Daily devotional!? You set the bar high, Chris! :) We came into Advent out of a series based on Skye Jethani's book "With". Jethani examines 5 different ways we interact with God (For, From, Over and Under), noting how none of them were what God intended. Rather, God wants to be WITH us, which is made possible in Immanuel. During Advent, then, we've compared and contrasted our "withness" now with being with God in the Garden of Eden, (Genesis 3), at the burning bush (Exodus 3), in the tabernacle (Exodus 40) and in the temple (Ezekiel 10). Christmas Eve will present how much closer we are WITH God than at any time before. Merry Christmas!
Posted in: What's Your Advent Theme This Year?
People were reading the Jethani book more when we were looking at the 4 alternatives to being WITH God. Those who engaged with the book found it very helpful.
Posted in: How Does Your Church Handle Cold Calls?
We have an arrangement with the local Salvation Army ministry, whose appointment list for the month fills up in about 2 hours. They have a lot of overflow, so we agree to take one referral from them per week, as time and money allow. In return, we take the information from a "cold call" and with their permission submit it to the Salvation Army for guidance as well as a certain level of screening. We think that if there are people misusing the system, the Salvation Army will know about it. With their advice, we will offer assistance to the individual. We limit our assistance to about $300 per individual, though we may adjust that. We usually limit our assistance to rent/mortgage and utilities, leaving the requests for food for the many food pantries and ministries in town. When there is enough money and time, we can handle about 1 cold call and 1 Salvation Army referral a week. However, when there is not enough, we tell Salvation Army to stop referring for a time, and we tell cold callers that we are out of resources.
Posted in: Keeping An Eye On Your CVI
When counting our numbers each year, we struggle over the definition of evangelism. We welcome people into membership in the church who have not been part of a church for many years. They are not transferring from a non-CRC church. Still, we wouldn't say that they were new believers. They were believers, separated from their community. This group doesn't seem to fit either label. It seems that there may be a benefit to creating a fourth indicator.
Posted in: Keeping An Eye On Your CVI
I agree. We submit the information but it doesn't seem to show up, neither in the printed yearbook nor on the website.
Posted in: Clergy Mental Health
I agree, thank you, Mark, for raising the subject and giving another nudge to the discussion. Response to mental health crisis is vital, as well as mental health maintenance and prevention of crisis. A quote from Ed Friedman's "Generation to Generation" has stuck with me, that "Stress is less the result of some quantitative notion such as 'overwork' and more the effect of our position in the triangle of our families." I know I've found this helpful when I begin to feel the burdens of ministry, that maybe those burdens are not necessary. Could we create a denominational context where it's normal for pastors to consult with mental health care providers, where pastors continue to explore our own areas of risk?
Posted in: Homosexuality and Holy Uncertainty
Andrew, I appreciate and agree completely with your comments posted here. There is a right and there is a wrong when it comes to obedience to God's preceptive will.
However, as I read Syd's article (and I'm probably reading it with my own filter) I am understanding the holy uncertainty to be in regards to living out various aspects of God's preceptive will. If I take the traditional view, which I agree is the Biblical view, of marriage, I am just as bound by God's will to provide a place of welcome for someone who is outside of the community. Jesus, living in me, moves me to have supper with people who don't share my values, to the extent that observers think that I am condoning certain behavior (Luke 15:1)
I find myself uncertain about holding on to the traditional interpretation of God's will, and being effective as salt and light in the world. In my experience, we have been so certain about our stand in regards to same sex attraction that we have almost completely cut ourselves off from people who are hurting, both those who experience same sex attraction, as well as their families.
I write this, not in disagreement, but to continue the dialog in order to become more adept at being salt and light in God's world.