This morning at breakfast, I was listening to the news. To be more precise, listening to President Obama speak on the nation’s financial situation. It was sort of a broken record: the plan to increase taxes on those who can afford it so that there is no increase for those who cannot. Also a cut in benefits for the wealthy so there will be no reduction for benefits for the poor. Of course, it was mentioned that the Republicans are opposed to the idea that will repair the nation’s woes and they were sufficiently chastised to being naysayers. I said it was “a broken record”, because we’ve heard it all before, from multiple presidents, just change the names and political parties as needed. Basically, I heard the President say the same thing we say in our homes, “There is too much month left at the end of the money.”
Paychecks do not seem to last as long as they used to. It seems as each month goes by, there are more days than there are dollars. The belt squeezes tighter and tighter until it seems impossible to breathe. Ben Franklin said, “Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” Laurence J. Peter modernized the quote saying, "Early to bed and early to rise—’til you get enough money to do otherwise." All humor aside, the rising cost of all the essentials—including groceries, fuel and other similar items—are stretching budgets to their limits. It can be scary to find that at the end of the money there is still some month left.
As we are looking at the Church’s budget for this year, we have faced the long month, short money problem several times, five of six to be exact. In 2010 at the end of June the offerings totaled $75,653. The 2011 budget calls for $75,354. The actual income so far in 2011 is $67,806. The result of this is—just like the government and just like home—spending cuts. The easiest thing to cut is any extra spending. It may look like everything that can be done has been done, but we can always punch another hole in the belt; it is time to dig a little deeper or make some changes.
At the Congregational Meeting the end of June, we approved a budget change: a reduction of $9318. Let me explain where this money comes from: During our building project, we took out two loans of $150,000 each. Because they were taken out at different times, they had different payments. When we reached the end of 2010 the payment for loan #1 was $786 and the payment for loan #2 was $1009. At the end of 2010 we sold the 5 acres on Airport Way paying off the first loan and applying around $10,000 on the second loan. Since we had managed both payments in 2010, we planned to continue making both payments in 2011, which would have made a huge reduction on the principal owed. However, the 2011 income for the first six months is $7,847 lower than 2010. Factor in the rising costs and the belt had to be tightened. So for the foreseeable future we will be making the minimum payment on the loan and the only additional funds will be offerings designated to the Building Fund.
I create the Church’s budget each year. The various drafts are reviewed by the Treasurer, the Elders and the Church Council before going to the Congregation for approval. In 2006 the budget was $108,998; in 2007 $114,744; in 2008 $148,359; in 2009 $152,380; in 2010 $150,805; and in 2011 $150,705 and we lowered it to $141,387 last Sunday. At the current time, my projection for income for 2011 is $139,884. If we have the same reduction of income in the second half of 2011 as we did in 2010, our income will be $132,037, which is slightly below our 2008 income and $15,694 less than last year’s. 2008 is the year we began paying back the loans. Not meaning to make this too complicated, but if we back out the loan payments, the budget would be $119,955, which is a $5211 or 4.5% increase over the last 5 years.
I am usually reluctant to speak on finances, because the topic seems to generate friction with some folks (“All they ever talk about in church is money!” As opposed to politics, sports, civic organizations, fire depts. and schools, which never ask for money, oops, I regressed to sarcasm.). Nonetheless, it is my responsibility to keep you abreast of the facts and that’s what this article is about. Rest assured the necessary cuts will be made in order to balance the year-end numbers. God will see us through as He always has. He just uses me to inform you of our situation.
What can you do? The easy answer is to say, give more. The biblical answer rests in a statement I made to you on my first Sunday here 11 years ago. When I asked you to give to the Church the same amount God asked you to give, 10% and “I’ll never ask you for a penny more, or a penny less” beyond that, plus or minus, is between you and the Lord. Please just give as God leads you.
-Pastor David
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