I have never written a letter like this.
What we do here makes a difference. It's not just nice stuff to do. The work we do, the ministries we offer, really do make a difference in people's lives. We save souls. You know that.
But making a difference is expensive. The recipients of our ministries receive our work for free, but it costs us to give it. We have reached a precarious point at Good Shepherd. It's not a crisis, but it is precarious. Staff and Church Council are frugal, accountable, responsible stewards of the money you offer God through this congregation. And even though the budget you established last February was pretty lean, our expenses are below budget. We pay our bills in a timely manner, and in doing so touch countless lives. However, our ability to touch those lives with the love of Christ is at risk; our savings are nearly depleted.
It is no secret that donations to our general operating fund have been substantially less than this time last year. Sunday attendance is as good or better than it was last summer. The local, national and international ministries we promised to support still need our help. The old and new staff who serve us still need a paycheck. Our fiscal integrity will not allow us to pay our bills by "borrowing" money from restricted funds like the building fund. We have no choice but to ask for your help.
In the life of this church, we have never been in this position. Giving has always met or exceeded our expenses. The people of Good Shepherd are generous people who honor their commitments, and I am appealing to both your generosity and your integrity. Some of you are on fixed incomes and are giving all you can. Some of you have been forced to reduce your contributions by circumstances beyond your control. The price of gasoline has skyrocketed. But I have no doubt that there are others who could make a difference in our budget simply by sacrificing what you'd pay for an occasional Big Mac.
There is a child among us who does just that, you know. Though Sunday School has been on break since Memorial Day, there has been a Sunday School offering of one dollar in the collection plate every week, all summer long. Your presence in that young one's life has taught that child to give. What does that child's sacrifice yearn to teach you?
We have enclosed an envelope in this newsletter, addressed to Good Shepherd. Please give your prayerful consideration to mailing within it a special gift for your church.
Pastor Jim
I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. Genesis 12:2
From the Shepherd's Song Newsletter -- August 2006
Copyright 2006 by Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Close this window to return to the list of Pastor's Thoughts.
E-mail your comments and questions to Pastor Jim in care of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at gslc@sirus.com.