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The snow is melting, high school basketball tournaments have
concluded, and Easter is just around the corner. I find it amazing how
quickly these first three months of the year have flown by. It is also that
time of the year I surprise new council members with financial information.
Information that would send a ‘rookie’ member into a sweat, or at least an
elevated heart rate. (See below) How do I respond? How do I calm that member
down? The most
common thought is to reduce expenses. The last five
years have shown decreases in expenses in many areas. It is
hard to identify these when heating costs, insurance costs, advertising
costs, and staff benefits (taxes, health insurance, etc) continually rise.
To date, we have currently spent less than what we have budgeted. This is a
good thing since we spend a good portion of those budgets in the fall.
The item that is even more under budget is revenue. It is
becoming very clear to the council - this needs to be the focus. How do we
get out of this deficit budget we currently live in? With such a large
congregation, the suggestions are endless. This needs to be a group effort
with everyone responding in their own way. However, I can sum up the end
result – We need to grow in giving!
If you have suggestions please speak up. Talk with a
council member, talk with a pastor, email me, or trip me in the hall to
talk. If you’re confused about the budget, our finances, or anything else
related to the money you graciously give the church, please contact me.
Ken Kamba
Treasurer
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