2009 Finance and Spiritual Gifts Update
Accomplishments:
- -Received $410,000 toward our year-end goal of $560,000.
- -Received total contributions to the General Fund of $1,934,000.
- -Received $355,000 toward the Founders Campaign for Debt Reduction that will help us reduce our long-term debt from $2,700,000 at the beginning of 2009 to nearly $2,100,000 in January, 2010.
- -Implemented the Founders Campaign Savings program which includes $120,000 from 2009.
- -Received gifts from two generous bequests that total nearly $350,000.
- -Reduced General Fund operating expenses by 10% from 2008 levels (or nearly $150,000 per year).
- -Several hundred members, including children, have completed their Spiritual Gifts inventory and are offering their gifts through many different ministries here at Bethany.
We rejoice in the gifts that God has provided to Bethany and each of us individually, acknowledging that it all belongs to God, now and forever.
Challenges:
- The General Fund incurred a deficit of $74,000 in 2009 due to:
- -Total expenses for 2009, including operating expenses, debt service, Founders Campaign savings and benevolence commitments, totaled $2,008,000*.
- -Decline in contributions to the General Fund compared to previous years.
Action Steps:
- -Leadership will begin budget development for 2010/11 starting this month.
- -Stewardship Ministry Team will increase faith formation efforts to specifically address the intersection of money, giving and the ministry of all of us as the church.
- -Take the Spiritual Gifts inventory to connect you with your individual gifts and passions for ministry at Bethany and beyond.
- -Decide today how you can contribute financially to Bethany’s ministries. No matter the amount, every person’s participation is important.
We lift our challenges to God and ask for wisdom as we steward the gifts and finances for the work of the Lord at Bethany.
(*updated January 11, 2010)
