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| "Jesus is my rice." - Jeff Gunn, a self-absorbed Jeske disciple, promoted and protected by DP Buchholz. |
From Mark the Bookkeeper
Last summer the synod convention approved a ministry financial plan (budget) that called for a four percent increase in Congregation Mission Offerings (CMO). The adopted plan not only maintained current levels of ministry in most areas but also provided for limited expansion of our mission and ministry. New home mission starts were to be increased, and mission efforts around the world were to be expanded in a number of different ways. In addition, the plan enabled the financial position of our ministerial education schools to be strengthened at all levels.
Last summer the synod convention approved a ministry financial plan (budget) that called for a four percent increase in Congregation Mission Offerings (CMO). The adopted plan not only maintained current levels of ministry in most areas but also provided for limited expansion of our mission and ministry. New home mission starts were to be increased, and mission efforts around the world were to be expanded in a number of different ways. In addition, the plan enabled the financial position of our ministerial education schools to be strengthened at all levels.
CMO subscriptions for 2014 did not result in the four percent increase envisioned by the adopted plan. In fact, subscriptions for 2014 actually decreased from actual 2013 offerings by about one percent. This resulted in a $1.2 million difference between what is needed for the adopted plan and what can be expected based on the subscriptions.
Many congregations did increase their CMO commitment. Other congregations, for a variety of reasons, either kept their CMO commitment the same or actually reduced it. Regardless of the amount, we are truly grateful for all gifts made or committed that support our common mission. But if CMO remains at the levels indicated, reductions for the coming fiscal year (which starts July 1) will need to be made.
Both the Synodical Council and the Conference of Presidents (COP) have been addressing this situation. The Synodical Council is responsible for maintaining a balanced budget. It has directed the areas of ministry to develop a prioritized list, totaling $1.2 million, that states what existing ministry would need to be reduced and what new ministry could not take place if nothing changes. That list will be finalized at the end of April.
The COP is responsible for encouraging congregations to provide needed financial support for our mission and ministry. At its regular meeting next week, the COP will be discussing the best way to address this situation from the other direction (increased financial support) so that revisions to the planned work will not be necessary. Those plans will be shared as soon as they are finalized in the coming days and weeks.
God continues to place many opportunities before us to proclaim the saving gospel to more and more people. We pray that God will bless our efforts to seize those opportunities and faithfully carry out the mission that God has given us.
Serving in Christ,
President Mark Schroeder
President Mark Schroeder
Perhaps people do not see the need to send money to clods who give $500,000 away to a rich congregation (St. Peter in Freedom) so the parish can buy a bankrupt bar and liquor license for wine-bibbers (Ski Glende).