Ministers Desk 19th May

A key part of our purpose of Growing Disciples who Exalt, Explore, Embody, Engage is the area of evangelism.  When we speak about engage we each seek to ensure that we have at least one intentional relationship with a pre-Christian in which we share our faith, believing the God will lead that person to faith in him.

 

So that we can be equipped in living out the Great Commission, our church is developing a library of books, studies and resources to use.  The latest resource we have is a small group resource called Starting Point: find your place in the story.  Starting point is a workbook and audio CD that can be used in faith sharing.  It is most useful for sharing with either seekers who are interested in a relationship with Jesus; people who are new to faith or people who have walked away from faith and are returning to their Jesus.

 

It is a resource that you use with another person.  In the group setting a safe place is developed where pre-Christians can ask questions about God, the bible and faith and learn about what it means to be a Christ follower.  If you were to use this resource with your Brian (pre-Christian friend) the book and CD would provide the teaching material and you would only need to add your personal experience and testimony.  Please consider using this resource if you think it might help someone who is searching for answers about Christianity.  It will be kept in the church library in the foyer with the other evangelism resources.

 

On a totally different, note I want to give you an update on our finances.  Up until the end of April 2013, our Treasurer advises that we are $3 400 ahead of budget.  However this is not all good news.  We our $2 000 behind where we were at this point last year.  Information to take note of from the accounts is:

* The savings we are making since we have not yet replaced Wendy Shurey.  The money that we would have paid in wages is being transferred into our Future Ministry Reserves.

* Some expense items have been slightly lower than budget.

* The Friendship Group has transferred $2 000.  We thank them for this transfer.

* Of most concern is a shortfall in Offerings, especially $2 600 in Envelopes and $1 200 in Open Plate.  Direct Credit Offerings have held up well.  This is an encouragement for all of us to consider switching to Direct Giving.  Forms are available in the foyer or you can speak to Barry Jardine (3353 4551).

* From the beginning of May we will begin incurring an additional $1 000/month (approx.) which we had not budgeted for.  This is the difference between the actual rent paid on Harlee’s house and the amounts that we had budgeted as Manse repayments and maintenance, on the assumption that we would have bought a new manse by now.