Stewardship
Travel the Second Mile . . .
But I say to you, if anyone compels you to go one mile, go also the second mile. – Matthew 5:41
July 4, 2010
To our Members and Friends:
Here is our good long-term financial news: St. Andrew is moving in a positive direction. We are creating equity in our land (land debt reduced from $1,285,193 to $607,414) and reducing building debt (down to approximately $87,012). We will have both properties paid for within two years. That is exciting!
Here is our short-term financial challenge: through May 31st, our income trailed expenses by about $35,000. Pledge fulfillment is right on—you are honoring those commitments. We are behind mainly due to the category called “other giving”—members who don’t pledge yet give throughout the year; or others who are already fulfilling a pledge commitment and choose to give more or for special occasions. While there is some seasonality to that “other giving” (meaning we should catch-up part of the shortfall by year-end), it still appears we are behind budget.
We believe a couple of factors are limiting truly spontaneous giving. One is our Pastor situation. Pastor Bob is a wonderful pastor with a gift for interim ministry. He shares that church giving often stagnates in periods between permanent pastors. This rings true for us, and the good news is that this is a short-term issue. A second, longer-term issue is the uncertainty about our physical home in the future. Uncertainty can impede generosity, and that uncertainty won’t be solved tomorrow. That said, there are a lot of people working hard to create the atmosphere to enable us to work together and move forward in a positive and meaningful way.
So what do we do now? Our Stewardship Team believes our congregation was presented with a meaningful stewardship process – the Abundant Catch – and responded by considering, then making and honoring their pledges. We thank each of you. The Abundant Catch was a success: many more people made written pledges for 2010 than in 2009. So when we considered a mid-year pledge drive, we decided against it. We believe it could harm our long-term stewardship ministry to begin this course of dealing – it could impede the meaning and success of our annual pledge drive.
Instead, in June we challenged the members of some key leadership teams – Session, Deacons, Finance and Stewardship Teams – to make a special gift to the church of $500 per household, payable in June. As a result of that call, we raised nearly $10,000 from these groups alone.
We now ask you, our members and friends, to join these teams in making a Second Mile gift. We would like to bridge the $35,000 gap. We ask you to travel the Second Mile with us, through your gift of $500, payable in July, so we can bridge our funding gap.
We believe our future is bright. When the short-term issues resolve themselves, we will grow giving, pay-off our debt, own two valuable properties free and clear, and will be in a great position to chart our future. We ask for your commitment to help us bridge this period of time, to travel the second mile, and to carry us into God’s bright future.
Sincerely,
The Stewardship Team:
John Benson Sheila Baldwin
Kathi Anderson Debbie Dreusicke
Cindy Kasper Bob Lamkins
David Bluder Pastor Bob David
Some possible questions you may have:
- Is this mid-year shortfall an annual problem? It certainly appears to be, since we had a similar challenge last year at this time. Please note the discussion above. Clearly at year-end 2010, our budget process will need to take into account funds raised in the Second Mile, and we will need to make best efforts to avoid a recurrence in 2011.
- Can I spread a second mile offering over time? Yes. If it is easier, you can spread it over several months, as needed.
- Can I give more than $500? Less then $500? Any amount is meaningful to St. Andrew, if it holds meaning to you. Any amount will help us bridge this period of time, to Travel the Second Mile, and to carry us into God’s bright future.
- How do I designate that my Second Mile gift is different from my annual pledge offering? Just include “Second Mile Offering” in the memo line of your check.
Giving Ourselves Away
St. Andrew established a new Stewardship Team this summer. Our core belief is that stewardship is a ministry – ministry to the givers, ministry that grows a giver’s heart and encourages spiritual growth as a natural part of giving, ministry in which the giver discovers the deep meaning in the act of giving, a ministry which builds up more ministry as its resources grow. Ministry grows alongside of giving.
Our stewardship campaign for year 2010, The Abundant Catch, is based on Luke 5: 1-11. We were struck by Luke’s message that the disciples, in spite of a long day of fishing futility, trusted Jesus to cast out the nets one more time. This time, the catch was overflowing.
It is our Ministry’s sincere hope that, through the St. Andrew Abundant Catch, you and your family will consider the brimming nature of blessings God has placed in your nets. Then we encourage you to experience the joy that comes from generously sharing God’s gifts. And that, indeed, our church community nets for serving God’s people will be bursting!
Sunday, Oct 18 (8:30 + 11:00) was the start of this year’s stewardship campaign, The Abundant Catch. Baskets including information and blank pledge cards for you and others in your area will be delivered to your home. You will then have the opportunity to consider and commit to a stewardship pledge for 2010 by completing a pledge card. If you can make a pledge, please do so. If you are not in a position to make a pledge, please place your written prayers and words of encouragement on the card. Seal your card inside the envelope, place it back in the basket, and deliver the basket to the next household on the list. Our goal is for the baskets to move along from one household to another every 24-48 hours in order to complete The Catch on time. Once each basket has made the rounds, it will be delivered to the church office.
Our hope and prayer for you is that you experience something more in the Abundant Catch then merely filling out a card. We invite you to read Luke 5: 1-11. Reflect on the abundance surrounding you. If you are alone, call up a family member or friend and engage them in your thoughts. If you are part of a family, take a few minutes around dinner to talk about abundance and the Christian value of generosity. Sign the pledge card together. And allow a few extra minutes when you deliver the basket to the next household to greet and connect with your brother or sister in Christ.
We are here to serve you and to encourage you in the spiritual practice of generosity. Know you are not alone in making these decisions. Do not hesitate to contact any one of us. You are part of the family and community of Christ – a community that will use the blessings of The Abundant Catch to fulfill St. Andrew’s wide-reaching Christian missions at home and in the world.
Thank you,
The St. Andrew Stewardship Team:
Cindy Kasper, Sheila Baldwin,
Kathi Anderson, Debbie Dreusicke,
John Benson, Bob Lamkins,
David Bluder, Pastor Bob David
You can view a snapshot of our financial picture in the weekly Mini-Messenger and monthly Messenger newsletters along with news of how your giving is working for God’s glory. Come see how the fruits of your stewardship are flourishing by visiting the “News”page on our website. You may also click on the above link, Financial Reports, to view monthly and yearly reports.