March 2022
A financial update from Pastor Grannis.
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ~ 2 Corinthian 9:7
This past two years has been full of challenges and blessings. Despite all of the twists and turns, and ups and downs that we went through in 2020, we weathered it all quite well. At the beginning of Covid, when we paused regular services for more than 2 months, many of our members voiced their concerns over the financial health of our congregation. Though we didn’t have our “butts in the pews” the faithfulness of our member’s weekly giving stayed strong. I thank God for your faithfulness.
In 2021 that faithfulness continued through the first half of the year. In addition, God provided our congregation with a couple very large contributions, through the faithful consideration of some of our members. Those contributions allowed us to make many needed (and some long desired) property improvements. We were also able to make a lump sum payment of $80,000 on the principal of our building debt, taking a significant bight out of it. God is good!
It was my hope that this would be a jumpstart toward completely paying off (or significantly paying down) our debt before our 100th anniversary celebration in May of 2024. However, since our last voter’s assembly in Fall of 2021, our offerings have been consistently lower than average nearly every week.
In the past, members have said to me that if there is a need at Calvary people are happy to help supply that need. But they need to know about the need. I am letting you all know. The faithfulness of giving that we saw over 2020 and into the first half of 2021 needs to continue. The large gifts we received in 2021 are all but gone. Because of them, we still carry a healthy balance in our bank accounts, but week by week we are eating into those balances, rather than building them up. As I’m sure you all know, energy costs are going up, so it is essential that we first and foremost are giving our tithes to the general fund.
As we enter the season of Lent, I would encourage all of you to prayerfully consider your regular tithing. Giving special one-time gifts is helpful. Giving to special causes (like the building debt or a youth trip) is always appreciated. However, if those gifts come at the cost of lowering your regular tithe, then the financial stability which provides for our day to day ministry begins to suffer. It becomes a case of “robbing Peter, to pay Paul.”
For example, until Easter our midweek offerings have been designated – half for Lutheran Heritage Foundation and half for our youth group. We are also holding Lenten midweek suppers (4 – 5:50 p.m). The offerings and freewill donations for these do not go toward our annual budget. Our budget was set to fund our regular operational costs (utilities, payroll, regular maintenance, basic ministry expenses, etc). If you come to Lenten supper and midweek services and give there, but then give less in the offering plate on Sunday, then our congregation is out that amount of money for funding our regular operational cost.
Whatever amount you give as a regular tithe is between you and God. As I have said in past articles, the word “tithe” literally means 10%. Giving 10% to support the regular work of the ministry is a biblical concept, and was commanded in the Old Testament from the people of the nation of Israel. There is no such New Testament command. On the contrary, in the verse quoted at the beginning of this article, Christians are encouraged to pray and determine beforehand between themselves and God what they are going to give…and then be faithful in joyfully giving it.
My wife and I did this when we were first married. Adopting the biblical concept of the tithe, we decided that we would be faithful in tithing a full 10% of whatever God blessed us with. We also determined that the whole tithe would be designated for the general fund of whatever congregation we were at. If there was some special cause we wanted to give to (whether in the congregation or for another ministry), the gift we gave would not come out of our tithe, but would be over and above our regular tithe. There have been many ministries, and causes that we have wanted to give to through the years. Sometimes we have been able to give to them. Other times we have not been financially able to do so. But through all of our financial ups and downs, we have always given thanks to God for all He has provided to us, joyfully and faithfully tithing from whatever He has provided.
As God provides you with all that you need to support your body and life, may the forgiveness, resurrection, and salvation that you have through the shed blood of Jesus Christ our risen Savior always be your greatest joy and treasure.
Living forever, now,
Pastor Michael James Grannis