State of the Parish Meeting Comments

Building Fund Debt:

  • Mortgage is a dark cloud over us.
  • We're fatigued from paying down building fund debt.
  • The bulk of the bequest should go to erasing the building debt.
  • It will be easier to grow the budget if the building is not included and the building debt is gone. We could then redirect our hearts and funds to the overall budget.
  • It's important to tell the whole story of how we have paid off the debt.
  • We need to be financially prudent.
  • Issue a final challenge for building payment in one year (and consider 10 % of total to a mission capital project.
  • Paying off debt allows us to be open to God's call.

Endowment Fund:

  • The purpose of money is for God to show His power. (Malachi 3: 10)
  • Use a portion of the endowment fund and bequest for the building fund.
  • We should continue endowment withdrawals that were committed to the mortgage as promised.
  • Would like to know more about the endowment fund.
  • Huge endowments reflect a lack of trust in God's provision.
  • Some of bequest should go back to the endowment.

Mission and Program Ideas:

  • Expanded discipleship program
  • Dinners of 8, every two months.
  • Large community event dinners.
  • College outreach ministry
  • Marriage ministry.
  • Book clubs on great authors of the faith.
  • Evangelism weekend.
  • Children and youth music staff.
  • Pub Sings.
  • American Heritage girls group.
  • Interior design improvements.
  • More support for Christian education, adult ed offering of “The Story”.
  • New people only come if you bring someone new.

Income Gap:

  • More preaching from the pulpit on stewardship and giving.
  • Expand role of house groups in stewardship discussion.
  • Stay careful and diligent in finding a new rector.
  • Church growth is the ultimate answer to any financial problems.
  • Acknowledge the bequest.
  • Money making projects, i.e. dinners, yard sales, bake sales.
  • Urge those giving to increase moving forward.
  • Urge those giving sporadically to convert to a monthly pledge.
  • Urge building pledgers to continue a portion of their pledge to regular giving.
  • Clearly and honestly communicate need.
  • If we can't afford the staff, do we have the right staff.
  • Should use 10% of the bequest for missions.
  • Rent facility to increase income.
  • We should spend money if it is life giving.

Other:

  • Foundation should be corporate prayer, discernment, seeking the Lord.
  • Staff matters a lot.
  • Inspire with stories of God's provision.

Messiah's Endowment Fund Charter along with other foundational documents are available on Messiah's website at on the Vestry page. About 100 people discussed the above items at the State of the Parish meeting held on Sunday, May 22, 2016 at a brunch held between the 8:30 am and 11 am worship services.