Sunday was a great way to kickoff 2012. We had the 2nd highest attended Sunday in the last 12 months (not counting Easter). I was real pumped to share the message “Direction 2012″. I had a lot of vision to cast and information to share. However, the hard part in such a message is getting everything out in a timely manner and in a way that makes sense to all who are listening.
In one message giving….
- Vision with details….
- Old strategies that don’t change with some that are changing…..
- Excitement along with challenging information….
- Purposeful Clarity along with a preferred unknown future….
- Celebration of 2011 along with admitting shortcomings and lesson learned that now propel new strategies…..
I gave it my best in the time allotted. Unfortunately, (especially in first service) I was not able to say everything I needed to say in a way that was clear and concise. So….here is a brief recap. Please read and make sure you are ready for a great 2012.
(also please FW to all your TC friends to make sure they have it too….)
Here is a brief recap of the important information from the message on Sunday: “Direction 2012”
Team Church One Purpose: Reach people where they are and lead them to full devotion in Jesus Christ.
- This is the WHY of all we do and it never changes!
- How we do things, directions and strategies will change overtime as we stay in tune with God’s leading and as we move forward.
- As a church we are proactive and GO until we hear a clear NO!
We hit our Year End Gift goal ($52,400 at last count) and are poised to hit 2012 running.
- “Thank you” to all those who gave! YOU enable us to start the year off with all bills current and purchase much needed ministry items and equipment.
The direction for 2012 is one of clearly focusing on the immediate impact of people as we pursue our One Purpose as a church.
- We will be on the offensive as we limit our focus to that of reaching people and direct discipleship of the people already attending Team Church.
The direction for 2012 is to prioritize expenses that clearly focus on ministries that reach people and disciple them to be fully devoted followers of Christ.
- We have created a 6 month budget that funnels budget money to the ministries that specifically reach people and lead them to full devotion to Jesus Christ.
- We will begin paying our Home Team pastor a part time salary. This leadership position is vital to the success of discipleship and each person maturing in their faith.
- A clear focus and our immediate desire to reach and disciple people now….means that we have decided not to continue our purchasing contract for the extra 40 acres. Over the last few years we have owned the property but have not had monthly or yearly payments going toward it. These payments were deferred until now. We have decided to let the ownership go back to the owners and have no further finical obligations or responsibility.
- We are trying to re-finance our current building mortgage loan to get lower interest rates and terms. This will allow us to put more money each month toward our One Purpose right now.
- Because of limited current budget giving, over the first three months of the year, we will be spending very little money over what is just our “fixed cost”.
Team Church owns 20 acres that we paid for in cash. What can happen on that 20 acres right now will be our focus in 2012.
We created a six month only budget for the first part of 2012.
- Having a 6 month only budget allows for us to make changes that we hope will needed after 6 months of exciting growth!
- We believe that when all our people give as they have been asked to by God; we will meet and even exceed our budget each month.
- However, if after 3 months of limiting our spending to mostly “fixed cost” we are unable to sustain the budget….then we will have to cut our fixed cost so that we can have a budget that allows for ministry to flourish.
- Fixed cost are monthly bills like electric, water, mortgage and building insurance. It is also staff salaries, insurance and benefits. Basically….everything that “has to be paid” each month.
We recognize that our budget is slightly over our projected giving. We are moving forward with a “GO” as we trust in God and our people to do the same. Again, we will make changes as needed after three months.
Total Operating Budget for Jan – June = $475,451
- Fixed portion $439,146
- Projected giving $425,000
Monthly Operating Budget for 2012 = $79,242
- Fixed portion $73,191
- Projected giving $70,833
The direction for 2012 is to have Brad Saab serve as Teaching Pastor.
- Brad will teach and give oversight to our Pursuit Service for middle and high school students.
- Brad will assist Kenny in teaching on Sunday mornings. This will allow Kenny to give regular energies and leadership to the specific focus of “reaching people and leading then to full devotion to Christ” directly through different ministries at TC.
- Brad will teach discipleship and growth classes as offered through Home Team/Classes.
- Brad will teach our membership class so that all new people joining TC will be equipped in our Personal Devotion and Shared Responsibility principles and values.
The direction for 2012 is to once again have trained professional counseling as a ministry partner on our campus.
- Lauren Ross is available NOW !
The direction for 2012 is to purchase and implement a new church software/program called: Fellowship One.
- Like never before this will allow us to meet our people’s needs as we can better track, serve, communicate and give overall care to those who attend or are members of TC.
- This system will help us reach out to our guest in more timely and productive manner.
The direction for 2012 is to add 10 minutes to our Sunday Service.
- This will give us more time for various elements in each service.
- We believe there are Sundays when we need more time for some of the following aspects of our services: worship, teaching, response time, prayer, creativity and the like.
- New service time are 9:30 and 11:10.
In short….The direction for 2012 is to do a few things differently than we have in the last few years.
- We want to see better results in the number of people who give their life to Christ and follow through with baptism and a fully devoted lifestyle.
- Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is the definition of insanity. We are going to move forward but with some differences in our methods, focus and strategies.
- We are willing to make hard decisions (like letting the 40 acres go) so that we can accomplish what God wants for our church in 2012.
- We are willing to choose between doing some good things so that we can accomplish the best things.
Deuteronomy 31:8
8 Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
1 Corinthians 2:9
9 That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”
