Churches experience financial feast or famine
This is the first in a
series of articles about local church finances. Future stories will
focus on the impact growing or declining income has on ministry and
creative ideas churches are using to improve their financial
situations. To contribute input or ideas please e-mail Michael Wacht
at MWacht@flumc.org.
By Michael Wacht
LAKELAND — As the Florida Conference Council on Finance and
Administration and treasurer’s office begin preparing for a
potential long economic slump, Florida Conference churches are finding
themselves either enjoying a great deal of financial blessing or
having a difficult time making ends meet.
Nearly 30 churches responded to an informal survey conducted by
e-mail last month that asked about the current state of church
finances, the reason for the growth or decline, and the impact
finances are having on the ministry and mission of the church.
More than half of the churches said 2002 has been a good year
financially. Several said it has been the best year ever. Many cite
Biblical or spiritual teaching as a major contributing factor.
The Rev. Bill Fisackerly IV, pastor of Estero United Methodist
Church in the Fort Myers District, said his church’s income is up
more than 6 percent over last year.
In addition to population growth in the church’s area, Fisackerly
says the biggest contributor to the church’s economic growth has
been an emphasis on tithing as one of five spiritual disciplines. “New
members are informed from the beginning that tithing is expected, and
so they take it seriously,” he said. “Not everyone in the church
tithes, but they all know that it is encouraged as we grow in our
faith.”
The Rev. Dan Johnson, pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church in
Gainesville, said his church’s finances are “doing amazingly well.”
He attributes the good fortune to five factors that have worked
together to strengthen the church. “We have had more than 700 people
go through the Alpha program, and they have gotten turned on
spiritually…and [they] are good givers,” he said.
Trinity also hired an outside consultant to assist with a
stewardship campaign, tightened the budget and made it a priority to
keep members informed about the situation. “There is a great sense
of harmony and direction in the church,” Johnson said.
The Rev. Richard Nussel, pastor of First United Methodist Church,
Bradenton, said his church’s finances are “excellent” and
members have already paid 100 percent of their connectional giving. He
said the church’s 2002 budget was the largest in its history, but it
did not receive pledges to support it.
“We worked as a congregation to identify our budget and ministry
and claimed ownership of it and dedicated ourselves to meeting the
planned ministries and any unplanned opportunities that would present
themselves during the course of the year,” Nussel said.
Of the churches struggling financially, many contributed the
struggle to church debt or higher expenses. Others cited declines in
membership or attendance, while about half said the general economic
slowdown was affecting members.
Betty Cracolici, finance committee chairwoman at Community United
Methodist Church in Holiday, said her church’s finances are doing
“poorly” because of declining membership and the financial health
of older members.
“Our membership is mostly retirees who have fixed incomes and/or
who are affected by the stock market declines,” she said.
The Rev. Brice Harris, pastor of First United Methodist Church of
Melbourne, said the church is about $50,000 behind this year’s
budget needs. Harris said many members are living on fixed incomes
that are affected by a lower return on investment.
“Also the anxiety about the future is influencing many people to
withhold their funds,” he said.
Harris said United Methodist Special Sunday offerings are directing
money away from the budget. “We notice that folks have only a
certain amount that they have set aside for charitable giving,” he
said. “So do we want them to give to One Great Hour of Sharing or to
the church budget?”
The Rev. Brad Farrow, pastor of Village United Methodist Church in
North Lauderdale, said increased health and property insurance costs,
combined with a decline in attendance and giving, have “hit us very
hard.”
“Also, we have a large day school that gives us about a third of
our budget,” he said. “Enrollment is down because of the new state
Head Start program. We have about 20 fewer students in our pre-k
program this year. Hence, the day school is struggling.”
The Rev. Deborah Galtere, pastor of Glynlea Grace United Methodist
Church in Jacksonville, said her church is deeply affected by the
economy. And some members are withholding money because they are “angry
at someone or something in the church.”
Regardless of their financial situation, many churches said the
current economic climate has made them look at how they budget and
spend money. Some are cutting ministries, while others are finding new
ways to raise the money they need.
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