2006 Ministry Budget

November 28, 2005
Even though it is the end of the year, many of us in our businesses and households are already thinking about next year, at least as far as our budgets are concerned. It is no different here at the Church at Brook Hills. Your staff, Stewardship Ministry Team, and Pastors have been diligently working on the 2006 budget.

This budget is about 15% less than the 2005 budget. As the staff and church leadership planned for next year, we thought it important to tighten our belt. History and experience tell us that whenever a church is without a Senior Pastor, giving will decrease during the initial months. We thought it best to deal with this head-on.

Anticipating a decrease in giving created a real dilemma for your staff. As you know, they have a tremendous heart for ministry and therefore could not stand the idea that a smaller budget might also mean a decrease in ministry efforts. They are determined this will not happen on their watch. However, realistically, they also know that the only way to achieve the needed budget decrease would be through staff realignment.

When faced with this possibility, the staff responded beautifully saying, "We'll do whatever it takes". As you review the budget, you'll see that they mean it.

For this budget proposal, necessary staffing adjustments have been made by eliminating several part-time positions, and reducing full-time staff by two positions. We were also able to trim the budget by leaving open a number of staffing positions that are currently vacant or being filled by interim staff.

This raises the question, who will perform these duties and those previously done by interns, part time staff, and interims? Your staff has said that they will take on the extra responsibilities to get it done. However, ultimately, it means that all of us must roll up our sleeves and work together to see that we continue the priority we have placed on serving others as an expression of our worshipping God. We are confident that you will join with us and the staff in ensuring that this is accomplished.

We know that they would not seek recognition, but we wanted you to know what servant-leaders we have here at the Church at Brook Hills. In addition to their current positions, Donnie Arrant (Pastoral Care) will also oversee Administration, Jim Houston (Missions) will help with Pastoral Care, Rick Hunt (Pastoral Care) will oversee the Facilities, and Dawn Stephens (Women’s Ministry) will also take on the Preschool Ministry. We appreciate them and their ministry assistants for taking on these extra areas of service. You will notice in our staff listing at the end of this brochure that many persons have "interim" titles--we do not want to give the impression that all staff changes are permanent. We hope to restore many of these original staff positions as we resume growth in future months.

As we discussed the possibility of a decrease in giving, some of our leadership told us not to be surprised when the faith-family proves us wrong and giving actually increases. We probably shouldn’t be surprised if that does happen for you have always responded when the need was placed before you.

It is a pleasure serving with you. Please let us know if you have any questions about this budget proposal or if you need any additional clarification.

Worshipping Christ Together,

I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Romans 12:1

> Hear the Budget discussion meeting in MP3 format