It has become even more imperative that we remain vigilant with our fiscal resources as we prepare to add a full time pastor to our payroll and begin to assume 25% responsibility for our mortgage. Our fiscal landscape has begun to change and 2013 will be the year in which we have to change with it. With the assistance of Presbytery, rental income and without a Pastor, our congregation is meeting our expenses with money to place in reserve.
However, this will change greatly once we add a full time Pastor. We will need to increase our income in the next year and we will need to do this by increasing pledges from current members, growth in membership and continuing to explore rental opportunities. The Pastoral Nominating Committee is working very hard to attract a pastor to our church at this time. Depending on where we are in the process, funds would be made available to pay pulpit supply in the short term and information to a Pastor Salary package will be presented when the time comes.
The church has maintained our Reserve Savings and will not rely on a line of credit (because we do not have one) to meet our obligations should our cash flow be reduced. Some of the savings we have will be used for the arrival of the Pastor, specifically any moving expenses that may be incurred. This information will be presented to the congregation as it is known for approval.
Once again, I encourage each of our active members to pay their Per Capita in full. While it has been budgeted to pay the full amount, the amount that members pay in reduces what we pay out of pocket and the difference can be used to fulfill our future obligations. As part of our commitment to Presbytery and their continuing support fiscally and spiritually this remains an important obligation that we as a congregation need to keep. Presbytery depends on every congregation to pay their Per Capita so that they can continue meet their fiscal obligations.
2012 is the last year in which we received a full year of assistance provided by Denver Presbytery to cover our mortgage expenses. This year, the amount of assistance will be reduced to 75% of the mortgage amount. Once again, it must be reiterated that this is neither a true grant nor a straight gift. When the church’s mortgage is retired, St. Paul will owe Denver Presbytery for the sum of the five years (100% for the first two years and a reduced amount in the remaining three years) in which assistance was provided.
In conclusion, I am pleased that our congregation has embraced the importance of learning, understanding, and participating in the financial health of our church. I look forward to the future as I believe that we are on the path toward completing our church family with a pastor and meeting any fiscal challenges that we encounter as we continue to grow and sharing the love of Christ with those we know and those we do not yet know.