Budget Woes!!

It is that time of year. Looking at the budget for 2010. Alot of churches have budget woes. The interesting thing is I'm not worried. Sure there is alittle worry but God will provide. I don't think I've ever been part of a congregation that didn't have some sort of budget woes or need more funds to do ministry.

I remember a few years at Cary where we had a bare bones budget. Frozen spending. And no increases.

As I look at the budget I only see God's handywork. He is the One working.

When I first came to this ministry - the roof need repairs and we knew it would be lots of money. Well, interesting is God provided for our roof, van repairs, digital piano, digital sign and even more. This is close to $40 000 over our regular budget given in less than a year and a half. We took a special offering to give to Missions and thousands given. God has provided.

I've been praying lately. (Actually alot about this) If everyone would just tithe we'd make our budget ... 3 times over. Then if everyone just increased their giving by $10/ wk we'd be ok as well.

Ultimately this is all in God's hands. He owns everything. I'm excited why? Because God has given us a challenge. A Goliath sized task in which we can be David but only give credit to God. We can't do this on our own. So as we enter 2010 - we're being realistic but also taking that step of faith. How about you?

How is your church budget? How is your giving? I've seen alot of churches hurting this year and even had to let staff go etc. My prayer is that we trust in the ONE who owns everything to provide.

O Holy Night worst rendition ever FUNNIEST SONG ON EARTH

"General" Lee in the Arms of Jesus.

Obituary


This past Sunday was a tough Sunday for me. I got word prior to our services that just a few hours ago a man who we baptized at 85 3wks ago had passed away. I saw him in the hospital just less than 2wks ago and was released. I usually called him when he was missing church. He started coming to church this past year by invitation of a friend and mentioned he hadn't been in church since he was about 18. His story inspired our children to see him baptized. Recognizing it is never too late to follow Jesus. Some nicknamed him "General Lee." He was well loved and thought of. I knew of his military background but didn't even know he received the Purple Heart until after his death. Born on Christmas Day in 1923 and now in the arms of Jesus.

Continue to pray for our church and his family in this time.

The pictures above are on his baptism on November 15. He's smiling with me and being baptized by my friend, Dan Franklin, who invited him to church.

Discovery Health's TV Show Dwarf Adoption.

So in the promo above for Baby week on Discovery Channel it featured the Dwarf Adoption story with David and Tina King. David and Tina are friends of ours. (Actually moreso my wife - Valerie - she went to school with Tina).

Their story is amzing and worth telling. How God provided for them to adopt little Ryan. We had seen a preview of the story. The King family had come to our home Thanksgiving weekend. My own son, even gave Ryan (On his own) a little toy Doodlebops' guitar. I look forward to becoming better friends and seeing where God is taking this family of 4 in the future. Pray for them.

Habakkuk 3: The Prophet Worships.

This week I'm preaching from Habakkuk. I love preaching from the Minor Prophets. Why?

It challenges me. It isn't too often you hear about people preaching from these books, and so far Habakkuk has got to be one of my favourite books.

We'll be looking at How Habakkuk prays, ponders, and praises. I get some of the sample outlines from Wiersbe but have to add some to it. I've been reading lots of different versions of the prophets and commentaries as well. Some good stuff and application. What are you currently teaching on?

Pragmatism versus Programs

Currently I'm in that situation in ministry where we're "too big to be small but too small to be big." It is an interesting situation. There are some thinking we need more programs, more quick fixes, more ...more ..more.

I had a dialogue with someone that said "Well you don't have this or that ..." And seemed to be more of a consumer than a server. (There also others who saw issues but also wanted to be a part of the solution; not the problem)

One of the issues with programs is that is what your church sometimes becomes known for. We might be committed to our church, but are we The Lord?

What we win them with, is what we have to keep them with. If gimmicks, give-aways, FREE this or that ...guess what you have to continue doing?

Right now I believe we're trying to think what is the One or Two things we do well ...and let's do them even better. Let's be known to be Jesus in the community .... not doing a food drive, drive thru, relay (And not saying these things are bad and are tools but what are we doing besides the latest and greatest next thing?)

I'm praying that our congregation doesn't become lost in mediocrity but is more about Loving God, loving people and changing the world.

How does one do that? That I'm taking it one step at a time.

Christmas Countdown!