Dear VBC Family,
Fall is in full gear. Not only has the weather turned and school begun, but our fall ministries are in full swing.
Two months ago we looked at the demand for increased ministry and the seeming lack of people to make it happen. We asked God for His help and direction. We’ve not hobbled into fall, but quite the opposite. God has raised up leaders among us, excitement has grown, and ministries have been launched with greater fervor than we’ve probably ever seen. At the same time, there are still challenges for which we need to continue to seek God’s wisdom and direction, one of which is our finances.
Cutting Costs and Pushing Forward
Going into 2010, we realized it was going to be a difficult year. We reduced our original budget and have scaled back in many areas. We’ve strived to be both wise and prudent. We’ve tried to cut back while continuing to adequately fund the base operations.
At the same time, we’ve wanted 2010 to be a year of growth, recognizing that our struggling economy provides a great time for people to meet Jesus. So 2010 has been a year of pruning and of asking God where He wants us to focus our energy and attention. We haven’t circled the wagons, nor have we given up. To the contrary, we’ve pushed forward, knowing that there are people who need to meet Jesus.
Current Offering Shortage: $50,000
Projecting expenses through December, it looks as though we’ll end the year having spent about 10% less than our budget had called for – resulting in $66,000 of savings. At the same time, we’re still about 7% below what is needed to meet that reduced budget, resulting in a projected end-of-October deficit of $50,000 – interestingly, the exact same place we ended October at last year (and by the end of December met our financial needs)! We pray that, as with last year, God provides the final financial need through those who make up the VBC family.
November & December Goal
1) At a minimum, we need to end 2010 in the black. To do that, we need to maintain cost-cutting efforts, eliminate our current shortage and hit our budgeted weekly giving. This totals $234,000. We would also like to raise some additional benevolence for some of our church families who are experiencing financial hardship due to lost jobs. Some specific needs we’d like to help with total approximately $12,000.
3) The tough economy has dealt a tough blow to all of our 16 missionary families. The missions committee has considered the specific needs of our missionaries and have allocated previously budgeted missions dollars to cover specific needs. For details, see the end of this article.
HOW?
Can we together meet these needs in the midst of a difficult economy? Humanly speaking, NO. But God has already shown us over the past four years that He faithfully provides when we have thought it was impossible! Is it crazy to think that He’ll do so again?
In November and December we would like to ask that you join us in prayer concerning this financial need and that you would also ask God to make it possible for you to give above and beyond your regular tithes and offerings towards the ministry God is carrying out through our church.
On Sunday, November 21, we will take a special “above and beyond ”offering. If half of our families give a $1,000 “above and beyond” offering, we will cover our financial needs. God may lead you to give much more than $1,000 – or He may lead you to only give a fraction of that, or possibly at this time none at all. Our hope is that if you give, it will not be out of a sense of duty or obligation, but rather because it is the outflowing of your heart and a response to what God has called you to sacrifice for His Kingdom.
At the end of the day, it is all for His glory! Thank you!
