SHEPHERDS’ PRESENTATION
June 22, 2008
On June 1, 2008 Nick Smith, on behalf of the elders, made a
public presentation to the congregation to give awareness
of our current financial situation.
The transcript of this presentation was made available and
delivered to the entire congregation.
The elders asked you to conscientiously and prayerfully do
your part, both in involvement and in honoring God
financially.
Many of you have been doing just that.
Your example of faithfulness and generosity has not gone
unnoticed and it brings to mind the words of the Hebrew
writer:
Hebrews 6:10 (NCV) God is fair; he will not forget the work
you did and the love you showed for him by helping his
people. And he will remember that you are still helping
them.
As we continue to be diligent in communicating to you our
financial realities we must tell you that as a church
family we have reached a critical financial point.
Based on a conservative count, we currently have 104 family
units - a family unit is a married couple or individual
identified as a member or regular attender of this
congregation.
Of the 104 family units, 48 family units turned in a
communication card indicating their level of support and
anticipated financial commitment.
This means that out of 104 family units, 56 family units
did not turn in a communication card.
Of the 104 family units, 65 family units make a regular
financial contribution to the church.
This means that out of 104 family units, 39 family units
make no regular financial contribution or simply make no
contribution at all.
The good news is that 62% of our family units are
financially supportive.
The bad news is that a church of our size cannot support an
infrastructure or staff of our size.
To help alleviate our financial burden, and because it is
the right course of action, we have informed Sierra
Christian School that they must budget accordingly to fully
cover the administrative position of principal, capably
held by Alan Perkins.
We have also informed Sierra Christian School they must
budget accordingly to cover their operating expenses.
This does not mean that Sierra Christian School is no
longer a front-line ministry of the Central Church.
It does mean that as a front-line ministry they are leading
the way in both ministry and sound financial stewardship.
This also means that the work of Alan Perkins, as a
minister of the Central Church, is 100% devoted to SCS as a
front-line ministry.
Unfortunately, even with Sierra Christian School assuming
these financial obligations, we still do not have the
contribution necessary to support the size of our physical
plant and the size of our staff.
Because we have been unable to meet our weekly budget of
$6300 we have fallen behind in payment of operating
expenses.
Despite the continued best efforts of our staff to manage
current spending and minimizing our potential indebtedness,
we continue to drift further and further “into the red” and
now find ourselves in debt approximately $27,000.00.
We have reached the critical point and must inform you that
because of these current financial realities we must begin
to immediately pursue one or more of the following options:
Convince the 39 family units that do not give, or do not
give regularly, to begin picking up their fair share of the
work here at Central.
Systematically reduce our staff.
Terminate our partnership with SCS.
Sell our facilities and locate a smaller facility.
We believe it is unjust and unfair to ask the 65 family
units, who are currently regularly giving, to give more.
We find ourselves, however, at an impasse as we must make
up the $27,000 short-fall and do something dramatic to
ensure that we do not fall behind again.
Many of you have already responded with a contribution
increase in affirmation of our 2008 strategic plan.
Many of you have faithfully supported the work of this
church, in many different areas, for many years.
Again, we are grateful.
Of the four options, the easiest solution to our economic
situation is for the 39 family units who are not
contributing regularly to begin doing so immediately.
Of the remaining three options, none of which are preferred
options, two of them are long-range solutions to an
immediate problem.
Thus, unfortunately, the only immediate solution is a
systematic reduction of our staff.
Due to the severity of our economic situation we must see
immediate, drastic improvement in our weekly contributions
or we will need to pursue one or more of these options.
We only have a short amount of time to gauge your response
and make a decision, a decision we intend to make and
implement by the first of August.
Our intention is to communicate to you our course of action
by no later than Sunday, August 10, 2008.
We earnestly strive to have the faith and courage we read
about in Joshua as he sought to lead the people of God.
To that end, we covet your prayers as we are faced with
this tremendous burden.