On Sunday, July 3, a 30-minute presentation previewing the Forward in Faith program was presented to about 25 individuals from St. Stephen Lutheran. Below is a summary of the presentation.
End-of-Year Financial Picture
Treasurer Dan Paulson asked, “Do you want the good news or the good news?” The good news is that for the first time in many years, St. Stephen Lutheran finished the fiscal year cash-positive. Our total surplus was about $4000 for the fiscal year. Dan noted the following progress we made as a congregation throughout the year:
- Saved adequately for summer expenses
- Able to call a full-time pastor once again
- God’s people made offerings over and above our projections
- Did not require the use of borrowed funds to make expenses
- Reduced line of credit debt by several thousand dollars
- Reduced operating expenses in the area of utilities and other expenses
- Supported changing ministry priorities at the congregation
Dan also pointed out that the year was a great spiritual lesson for him, and for everyone. We learned about “God Math,” which is a way of saying, “God works out the numbers in the end.” We were reminded of how dependent we are on God for strength and support.
Finally, the congregation was commended for making good steps toward stabilizing the offering totals each month. The first few months of the fiscal year saw drastic swings in offering totals, making planning virtually impossible and daily operations difficult. However, this trend stabilized and all of God’s people at St. Stephen Lutheran have been diligent in regular support for Christ’s mission.
Preview of Forward in Faith
Next, Mr. Andrew Aguilar presented a preview of the program from a layman’s perspective. Andrew is not on the church council, but was given a preview of the program and asked to preview it for all of us.
Andrew commented about the immediate goal of the Forward in Faith program: to eliminate the line of credit debt at the congregation. The practical result of eliminating the debt will be an additional $10,000 per year for gospel ministry. Encouraging us to “dream a little,” Andrew pointed out how much ministry $10,000 per year can accomplish in a congregation like ours.
Andrew reminded us all that this program is not just about money, it’s about ministry. He reminded us of the foundation for our giving to Christ’s mission and Church.
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved. And God who raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-7.
Andrew commented about what Scripture tells us we should be by nature. At one point we were dead in our sins, and walking on a path that led only to hell. But, Christ made us alive even when we were enemies of God and hostile to him. He redeemed us from an empty way of life and made us new again. This is the amazing truth that changes the way we live as parents, employees, business owners, or whatever our vocation in life is. It changes the way we view our life in Christ.
With this truth as our guiding principle, Andrew reminded us of the mission God gave each of us.
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” Mark 16:15.
Talking about the size of the mission, Andrew reminded us of the privilege of serving in this mission.
Finally, Andrew wrapped up with some thoughts on what’s coming this month and an encouragement to make ourselves and our families part of this effort.
