Dear Members,
Last week, we were made aware of the challenging situation facing the WELS
Synod and it's mission funding. Here are the basics of it:
Synod passed what they thought was a conservative missions budget at
district convention in 2013. After looking at historical giving trends, they
budgeted for a 4% increase in funding (2 - 3% is required just to keep up with
increasing costs). However, commitments from churches actaully (sic) dropped by 1% for
2014. So, that leaves a 5% shortfall between the increase they had budgeted for
and the decrease of 1%. In a budget their size, that equates to a $1.2 million
shortfall. This means that if that gap was not made up for in some way, there
would need to be cuts made. [Synod salaries and benefits? Never.]
The Synod wanted to present these facts to the congregations to provide
them with an opportunity to help make up for the gap in funding to prevent cuts.
Here are some of the potential cuts:
- At least two new home missions would not happen. [No more bars for Glende? O no!]
- Several vacant positions in world missions would not be filled. [They are forgiven already - and saved.]
- Funding for some existing home missions will be reduced. [Patterson may have to go back to work.]
In fact, those of us at X have experienced first hand how much of a
challenge it can be when funding is cut to an existing mission as we experienced
this ourselves in the past. It definitely is not something easy for a small
congregation to withstand.
|
| No more bunnies to pet on Easter, to make it relevant? |
These cuts are scheduled to begin to be made in early July. So, we have
until the last full week of June to let the Synod know if we will be able to
increase our giving for 2014.
If this is an opportunity that appeals to you to show your thanks for
everything the Lord has blessed you with, please let Pastor or myself know
what amount you would like to give no later than June 22nd. Please remember,
this needs to be above and beyond your normal weekly offering to New Hope.
You can either respond to this email with an amount or talk to Pastor or myself on Sunday and let us know what amount you would like to
contribute.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you,
