One of our members came into my office a few weeks ago with a question. I always appreciate this because I want to be available to answer any question if I can. Sometimes the questions are related to scripture or some type of spiritual issue. Of course sometimes the questions are very personal due to a felt need or crisis brought on by life. And sometimes the questions are just about the everyday workings of the church, like schedules, ministry or programs.
    I like questions, because in the very asking we see the life of the church as a body brought together by our Lord to be His Church, to be in relationship where we learn how to live out our Christian faith and how to be more like Jesus in our interactions with one another. I like questions because all members of the body are to be actively involved in the life of the body, but also are to be part of the growth and success we have as we carry out Christ’s mission for us in this community, and in the world. Asking questions is evidence of that life and purpose.
    As I said, I like questions, but the answers aren’t always easy or simple or satisfying. And sometimes I just don’t have the answer. Such was the case with this particular question because it was about our church finances and giving, and where we might be heading as this recession continues with not much good news in sight.
    As he shared his observations based on our monthly giving report, and his concern for our church’s financial health, he related a story from a previous church, with this gentle request/advice: “Tell us.” Good advice, but still not easy to share, nor easy to find the balance between honest reporting and sending an alarm. Still, “tell us” seems the right course.
So here are some basic financial facts from the last five years (2007-2011):

• We received $42,500.00 less to the general fund in 2011 than in 2007
• We received $52,500.00 less to the building fund and principal in 2011 than in 2007
• Total expenses are basically the same last year as five years ago
• 2011 was the first year that our expenses exceeded income (by $13,000.00)
• Our balloon payment on the building loan of about $600,000.00 is due in late 2015

What these numbers mean, or what they indicate about the future, is not easy, clear or certain. But here is what we do know. A bad economy continues to affect us in many ways:

• Giving by young families is not replacing the historic giving of our senior generation
• Expenses have stayed even only because of the significant cuts to ministry areas
• Ministry teams received less than half their allotment compared to 2007
• We are running out of places to cut the budget which won’t affect basic services and staff

[One bit of good news is that because of designated funds and the wisdom to establish accounts for those purposes, we were able to replace an aging bus, remove a diseased tree, replace two office computers, and fund mission trips.]
So here is the difficult reality for all of us to face: the deficit in 2011 warns us of our continuing financial trend. The tough questions will be what to do and how to respond.
Like I said, the questions I like, it’s the answers that aren’t always easy or pleasant. But those are the facts we are facing with a flat economy that shows little signs of improving over the next few years. Obviously we all know this continues to affect not only the personal finances of every level of our church family, young and old, married and single. But the difficult economic times also affect our ability or willingness to give.
So as I was encouraged to “tell us”, I have. But this isn’t the whole story, it is only the material side of the story. The other side, the spiritual side, is all about our belief and confidence in a good and faithful God. That Lord has called us to join Him in the work of the Kingdom, and has given His Word on financial matters and our responsibility to support the mission of His Church on earth. Let us turn to Him, seek Him, and hear what He has to “Tell Us!”

Denis Whittet