Investing for Life Seminar

As mentioned previously, FBCN will be focusing on stewardship during services this weekend and will hold a stewardship stewardship “Investing for Life” on March 30. Here is some background information provided by Glen Brechner for those who were not in attendance at the meeting.

—–Original Message—–
From: Glen Brechner
Sent: Monday, March 10, 2003 2:44 PM
Subject: All Leadership Meeting Follow-up

Hi everyone,

I wanted to thank all of you for coming to the All-Leadership Meeting on
March 6. This is a significant time in the life of Fellowship and I am
excited to see what God will do in and through all of us. I just wanted to
follow-up in terms of what next steps would be for minichurches.

We would like for you to incorporate the sermon-based study on stewardship
into your meeting plans. Gene will speak on the subject March 14 and 16 and
then we would like the minichurches to follow-up with the sermon-based
study. This will be available online by Thursday March 13.

On March 30 (Sunday night) there is also a Stewardship Seminar — “Putting
God First.” This seminar will focus on how to handle money biblically and
practically. Please encourage your people to consider coming or even better
come as a group. We will get more details to you soon.

Also we have included in this email some key “talking points” so that you as
a leader can be educated and communicate it clearly. If you have any
questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thanks and let’s continue to PRAY BIG!

Key Information so you can communicate clearly:

How we got here:
2002 Expenditures 5.3 million
2002 Revenue 5.1 million
This created a need to use some of our cash reserves to cover expenses and
brought our reserve to an unhealthy level. Because of this and our regular
giving pattern of relying on December to catch up, we have a cash flow
problem. This along with the economic downturn has put us in a position
where we need to reduce spending and increase giving.

Overall Need and Timeframe:
We need to reduce budget 12% or $550,000. This needs to be done in the
next 6 weeks.

Steps already taken:
Elders and Staff have met and prayed numerous times. Steps that have been
taken is that we have already cut 265,000 out of budget. ($108,000 external
ministry, $75,000 internal ministry, $82,000 administration). The youth
and children’s ministries have been exempted these cuts.

Remaining Need:
We have a remaining need of $285,000. Our prayer and expectation is that
this need can be met by increased giving. If giving does not increase then
additional cuts will be made, which may include staff lay-offs.

Proactive Steps:
Teaching the body on the weekend of March 14 & 16
Sermon-Based Study following message for minichurches
March 30 all church seminar on Stewardship

How can we help:
Pray — that this would be an incredible time of life change at Fellowship
as people take steps of obedience and faith. Pray also for the elders and
staff who are making decisions. Also practically pray that the funds will
be raised.
Lead — lead the people under your care well. Teach on the biblical issue
of giving and trusting God in crisis. Also model faith during this time.
Please incorporate the sermon-based study into you minichurch and encourage
attendance at the March 30 seminar.
Give — As God leads, give to the need joyfully, sacrificially, and
generously.

I am so thankful for the great leaders God has placed here. It is great to
go through growing times with you.

Sincerely in Christ,

Glen Brechner
Adult Ministry Pastor
Fellowship Bible Church North

Tagged as: Discovery, Faith, FBCN, minichurch, seminar, stewardship