first christian church of puyallup€¦ · homeless ministries first christian has a heart for...

...called by God to live as a blessing… 1

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF PUYALLUP

2014 NARRATIVE BUDGET

All who believed were together and had all things in common;

they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need.

Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple,

they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts,

praising God and having the goodwill of all the people.

—Acts 2:44-47a

Table of Contents

2 .................................. Introduction

3 ..... What is a Missional Church?

4 .................... Missional Resources

6 ...................... Missional Expenses

7 .............................................Mission

10 .................................... Stewardship

15 ......................... Disciple Formation

19 ............. When Ministries Merge

20 ......................... Budget Summary

2 ...called by God to live as a blessing...

Introduction to the 2014 Missional Budget Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

~1 Corinthians 12:27 (NRSV)

“God has a mission in the world and is looking for a church to carry out that mission.”

First Christian Church of Puyallup has heard this call to mission and our response to that

call in the upcoming year is reflected in this narrative missional budget. For indeed, a

missional budget is nothing more than a “guesstimate” as to how we can best use the

resources God has provided us to carry out our part of God’s mission in the world.

“But wait,” you ask, “How can we carry out our part of God’s mission if we have a 19%

budget deficit? We won’t have enough money!” That’s a fair question. But, in fact, we do

have enough money… it’s already there!

The “guesstimate” of missional resources for 2014 is

based primarily on two sources: the tithes and

offerings of those who give to support the ministries

of our congregation, and the income produced by

those who park their vehicles on our grounds during

the Washington State Fair in September. To arrive at

this “guesstimate” we simply projected the amounts

received in 2013 forward into 2014. So the money

we need to overcome the projected deficit in 2014 is

there… it just happens to be in our own pockets and

in the pockets of those who use our grounds for

parking during the Fair.

So first, to make the money that is already there available for us to use in mission in 2014,

we each only need to take about $6 in tithes and offerings out of our pockets this year for

every $5 in tithes and offerings that we took out last year. It is not all that difficult. After

all, we, together, are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

Second, we need to make folks more aware of our ministries in the community and trust

that God’s Spirit will prompt those who are looking for a parking space to choose our lot

knowing that their money will be used for good ministries. The resources are there for

us… we just need to get the word out!

It all boils down to a matter of faith. Faith that God will provide the missional resources we

need when we seek to carry out faithfully the mission God has set before us. Receive this

budget with those thoughts in mind. Thanks be to God!


The Missional Church… what is it?

You may have seen the word missional in the FCC Puyallup Ministry Plan, church

newsletters, and religious resources. But… what is it? No longer is “mission” just a

person traveling to faraway lands with the goal of bringing the unchurched to Christianity.

The richer definition of a missional church is a congregation that aligns everything it does to

the missio Dei, or the mission of God. A missional church continuously and intentionally

questions their current practices and next moves to be certain their own direction is in

orientation with God’s mission for this

particular congregation, in this particular

circumstance, in just such a time as this.

The missional church is not a place to meet

and be sedentary, and in fact, the church is

not the place at all. The missional church

becomes a moving, living, changing entity,

the incarnate Christ, a congregation of

God’s beloved who are called and sent to

do and be the Church—in the building,

down the street, around the region, and

across the globe.

When considered in terms of God’s vision

for the Church as a body of people joining

gifts to be and do God’s mission, we come

away with the realization that a

congregation like ours is one meant to be

in action: worshiping, gathering, supporting,

learning, tithing, engaging, welcoming,

ministering, “doing and being” in The Way

of Jesus.

In budgetary terms, the church is called to make choices with its resources of people,

property, and finances that follow that same missio Dei. The 2014 budget of First Christian

Church of Puyallup reflects where we are and who we are, but also what we hope to do

and who we hope to be.

2012 Easter Vigil communion


As we consider the FCC Puyallup resources of people, property, and monetary assets, it

becomes obvious that at FCC we have many reasons to live in hope and faith.

Our volunteers and their varied passions and gifts never cease to be amazing witnesses to

God’s faithful care for God’s church. In 2013, vital volunteer roles in the church were once

again filled by willing lay leaders, perpetuating a long legacy of faithful FCC servants, while

longtime leaders continue to bring experience and mentoring to new leadership at FCC.

First Christian’s ample grounds, classrooms, and flexible sanctuary space provide a

multitude of opportunities to gather, learn, minister, and play.

Individual giving to the General Offering brings in just over half of the church’s annual

income. Although both Fair Parking and General Offering donations were down from the

previous year, budget planners are pleased not to have cut any of the important ministries

of the congregation. Ministry leaders work hard at curbing costs and maintaining budgets.

Even so, the total 2014 budget results in a deficit between projected income and expenses.

Missional Resources

2014 Projected Income


The vast resource of our land makes possible our

biggest fundraiser, parking cars for the Washington

State (Puyallup) Fair. For 50 years, fairgoers have

parked at our facility, and in that time parking revenue

has become a vital supplement to FCC’s annual

financial resources. Nearly half of our yearly operating

budget comes from Fair Parking, which also affords a

huge opportunity for volunteers to play a vital part of

the life of the church. Fair time is a great

chance to nurture relationships and bring

friends to help. Each September dozens of

faithful helpers step up for the 17-day

ministry with almost 1500 volunteer hours

tallied by the time the last flag is put away.

Other means of income include incentives

from purchases initiated at our website’s

Amazon page, room rental fees from the

Puyallup Valley Cooperative Nursery

School which operates in two classrooms

during the school year, and bank interest.

Funds will be transferred from savings to

underwrite an interim pastor during

Pastor Nancy’s 2014 sabbatical.

fccpuyallup.com/amazon

Pete Freeman & Joyce Wolff—

two of FCC’s dedicated volunteers


Missional Expenses

The Missional Expenses at FCC Puyallup—or the spending that keeps us aligned with

that mission of God or Missio Dei—is divided into three ministry areas: Mission,

Stewardship, and Disciple Formation. Under these three categories are included all of the

work, groups, and actions of our little church in the valley.

Mission is the ministry area that incudes our outward giving and serving of others, our

hospitality and fellowship, and the specific Outreach teams that we support, including new

visions of ministry as friends and members are led to dream them.

Stewardship is the umbrella under which the most outflow falls. Stewardship is a broad

term meaning the thoughtful planning and management of resources; the resources of

people (staff and contractors), of property (building, grounds, and physical assets), of

administration (details of running a church), and of fiscal matters (spending wisely, but also

growing finances so our vision of a thriving, generous church may be perpetuated).

Disciple Formation is the spiritual development and growth ministry area. As we

worship, learn, support, and connect with each other, we learn together to be more

faithful followers—and apprentices—of Jesus.

2014 Projected Spending


Homeless Ministries

First Christian has a heart for working with homeless citizens in our community. Since

2006 FCC has partnered with a growing number of other Puyallup churches to provide

shelter during winter months in the Freezing Nights ministry. In summertime, guests have

lunch and get needed respite at The Hangout homeless drop-in center, created by FCC

volunteers in 2010. Our most recent homeless ministry, Puyallup Advocates and

Transportation (PAT), provides support and transportation to important appointments.

For those without shelter, these ministries often do much more than provide a meal, a

ride, or open our church doors to a warm, dry, safe place to sleep. Often, respect and

friendship are the most important things taken from the gatherings, by guests and

volunteers alike. Lives are touched in so many ways:

We partner with agencies able to provide resources and information to homeless

guests about housing, education, and medical services.

Many guests have been able to move their lives forward, which can happen in a

variety of ways, such as getting into housing, applying for Social Security benefits, and

receiving transportation to doctor appointments, the VA and job interviews.

Volunteers recently helped one of our original Freezing Nights guests and longtime

homeless man sign up for disability benefits, providing rides to appointments, and

advocating on his behalf to get him into treatment for alcohol abuse. This gentleman

is now sober, has a positive attitude, and very close to getting housing.

In 2014, a longtime dream of

FCC Council and volunteers, a

laundry and shower facility for

use by FCC Homeless Ministries,

will be researched for feasibility

by an ad hoc team headed by

new Outreach Chair JoAnne

Fowler.

Missional Expenses—Mission Ministry Area

Volunteers are the key to

Homeless Ministries at FCC.

Here, guests are served a

hearty meal at The Hangout

in Summer 2013.


The Diaconate provided

burgers and hot dogs

after FCC’s August 2013

outdoor worship service

at Wildwood Park

Lunch with a Friend

One of First Christian’s longest running partnerships in ministry is Lunch with a Friend, a

Saturday meal program for homeless and low income persons started by and hosted at

Peace Lutheran Church in the mid-90s. For 17 years, FCC volunteers have planned a

menu, shopped, prepared and served a meal, and cleaned up on the third Saturday of

every month. For two and a half hours, from 10 am to 12:30 pm, servanthood and

fellowship are one in the same.

Diaconate & Hospitality

“As partners in Christ we know it’s not always the big

stuff that counts, but it’s also the small things that open

our eyes and ears to God’s grace. The Diaconate is a

small group of dedicated individuals committed to

sharing God’s love through hospitality.

We realize the importance of coming

together, not just on Sunday mornings

for worship but at all times, in all

fashions. Our job is to encourage

community and fellowship. We do this

by hosting Bunco parties, ice cream

socials, and murder mystery dinners.

We help organize our yearly outdoor

worship, the 3x3 groups, and

progressive dinners. Our more

missional work includes hosting Lunch

with a Friend, and providing meals

during The Hangout and Freezing

Nights. On a weekly basis, we have the

honor of preparing the communion

table and providing refreshments after church.

Our work in the church may seem small but what we

do helps to keep people connected and bonded as one

in the body of Christ.”

—Kelli Kays, FCC Diaconate member




Disciples Mission Fund Outreach

Did you know the first 10 percent

of all congregational donations and

tithes to our General Offering goes

directly to Disciples Mission Fund?

DMF is the common funding system

of the Christian Church (Disciples of

Christ), supporting 72 ministries

around the globe.

In addition to our general offering tithe to DMF, Special Day Offering envelopes inserted

into your worship bulletin are offered for designated giving to some of DMF’s other

common funds: Easter (general ministries of the Christian Church (DoC)); Pentecost

(new church development); Thanksgiving (direct support to 14 colleges/universities and 7

theological institutions); Christmas (regional ministries of the DoC); Week of Compassion

(support in areas of natural disasters); and Reconciliation (dismantling racism).

Fair Parking Outreach

At First Christian, we take our stewardship and giving seriously. The first 10 percent of

Fair Parking income is earmarked for our Outreach Team to share with a variety of

ministries and organizations locally, regionally, nationally, and globally. The second 10

percent is deposited in a capital reserve account for building repairs and maintenance.

Learn more at www.disciplesmissionfund.org


Missional Expenses—Stewardship Ministry Area

Property Stewardship

FCC Puyallup is very blessed to have a beautiful building, free of debt. We are thankful for

the scores of volunteers who keep our grounds looking beautiful and make many of the

smaller repairs to our buildings. The Property Team continues to focus on increasing

efficiency, while decreasing operation expenses and improving livability, comfort and

appearance. However, as it has reached half a century in age, our maintenance costs are

increasing. Our Property Team has done a tremendous job of updating our building.

This year our major upgrade was the lighting. FCC was able to spend $25,000 from an

investment account (before Puget Sound Energy rebates) to update all of our interior and

exterior lights to new energy efficient fixtures.

Estimated PSE rebates: $6,136

Estimated electrical savings: 27,325 kWh per year

Estimated electrical cost savings: $2,377 per year

We expect to recoup our investment in eight years with the savings we gain from using

less power. Separate budget lines for Electricity and Gas have been added so we can track

the lower cost of these utilities due to our improved windows and lighting. The

implementation of these updates is only possible through our capital reserve funds, the

building maintenance budget, and PSE small business rebate program. This emphasis on

energy efficiency reflects both our financial stewardship and our faithful commitment to

being good stewards of God’s creation.



Yard work,

flowers, and a new

sidewalk from

driveway to front

door of the

parsonage were

gifted to the

Johnson family by

volunteers last

Spring

In 2013 we piggybacked on 2012 projects at the church-owned parsonage where Pastor

Nancy and her family live (replacement of the backyard fencing, insulation of the attic, and

heating ducts under the house) with the installation of all new energy efficient windows,

the replacement of the home’s failing gutter system, and pouring a concrete sidewalk

from the front porch to the driveway. In 2014, an exterior paint job is on the to-do list.

2013 brought

new life to the

long-dark sign

on the corner

of 9th Ave. &

7th St. SW.



Administrative Stewardship

Administrative Stewardship is broken into areas including the cost of running the office,

with business supplies and support items which reinforce the entire ministry set of

FCC Puyallup, and employee and contractor compensation. Although the

Administrative Stewardship area looks like the largest part of our expenses, it is the

cost incurred for opening our doors to the myriad of missions and programs that First

Christian Church is able to perform and offer. The pastor’s salary is listed in this one

area, however, she is actually involved in and a part of everything else we do as a

congregation, in all of the areas of Mission, Stewardship, and Disciple Formation.

We use a portion of the Advertising budget to store and share nearly 2600 photos

of FCC Puyallup activities on the Flickr website. If you have photos of events,

ministries or activities in the life of church, contact the office—we’d love to add

them to our online photo album!

Check out the photos at www.flickr.com/groups/fccpuyallup/

http://www.flickr.com/groups/fccpuyallup/


Church Secretary and longtime

member of FCC Bunnie Stanton

provides support to all areas of

the church, including office

administration, bookkeeping and

payroll, custodial supplies,

Worship bulletins, ministry and

program support, and nurturing

relationships.

In 2013 a much-needed desktop

computer was purchased to

enhance the efficiency of Bunnie’s

work for our congregation.


As the church moves to a new accounting system, some former categories have

changed names or merged with other similar categories. The Contractor/Consultant

account now includes the Crib Room Attendant, Accompanist, Accounting Consultant,

and any guest ministers or musicians we have during the year. We’ve also added a new

area of Finance Expenses to help us better track these items. We increased our

Computer & Software budget this year. This will replace Pastor’s old computer and

provide the opportunity to hire someone to update our computer network.

Financial Stewardship

Routine but necessary fees for running a safe and legal incorporated church come into

play under the umbrella of Administrative Stewardship as well.


Staff & Contractor Compensation

A proposal for a new system for awarding staff for their performance was recently adopted

by our Council. Lump sums will be distributed in January based on annual review in the Fall.

In 2014, Pastor Nancy will take a three-month sabbatical renewal leave; her last being in

2007. The amount needed to compensate an interim pastor for three months will be taken

from savings and shows in this budget as both income (transfer from savings) and expense

to be paid later. Starting in 2014, a monthly amount will be saved in an accrual account to

fund future sabbaticals, so that a full amount will not be needed to be found at one time.



Missional Expenses—Disciple Formation

Elders

The elders maintain their activities funded by other ministries and so do not have their

own budget line to manage. Elders benefit from both the Worship and Faith Formation

budget areas in that having a budget for supplies and training can impact the elders as

spiritual leaders, giving them the ability to have resources to study and use in elders'

meetings and activities. The spiritual development of the congregation is of great

importance to our elders, so supplies and training for others in the congregation and

church family is important.

Elders support our life in Worship with their prayers and leadership at the Lord’s Table,

our life in faith formation by leading and participating in studies and small groups, and in

our congregational life by their partnership with Pastor Nancy in visitations and care calls.



Worship

Worship at First Christian Church of Puyallup

is a changing and evolving entity. Worshipers

are encouraged to think and be challenged,

praise and reconcile, welcome and be grateful

during the hour we spend together on a

Sunday morning. But it doesn’t end there.

Through a weaving of traditional and ancient,

classic and contemporary, Worship at FCC is

something that urges each person to go forth

from the building and live out their faith every

day of the week. The thing that never changes

is that all are welcome.

Our Worship Team nudges participants to

find new ways of meeting God in our midst.

From candlelit gatherings to worship in the

trees or under the stars, from psalms on the

walls to video prayers on a screen, from

quiet confession to prayers for all people,

we know no two people will see God the

same way at the same time. The Worship

budget lines open the door for being

creative, flexible, and trying new things.

In 2013, the use of projected services

ramped up, and recently a transmitter/

receiver was purchased to enhance the use

of videos projected from a laptop in the

sanctuary.

2013 Maundy Thursday communion

Terry Forslund’s prayer station

contribution to Maundy Thursday



In 2013, a new cross inspired by original church

architectural drawings was hung in time for the

Easter Vigil. Used as a prayer station at our

Maundy Thursday service where 12 stations of

the cross were created by worshipers, slips of

paper with prayers, gratitude, and names of

those who have gone before were sealed inside,

and the cross now hangs as a joyous reminder

of God’s church in the world, the gifts of the

people, and the resurrection of Jesus.

More involvement from the “priesthood of all

believers” is hoped for in 2014, whether it be

through creation of prayer stations, serving

communion, offering, or as a sound tech,

congregational art during Worship, song leading,

greeting, reading scripture, creating prayers,

or…? With God all things become possible.

Faith Formation

Formally pigeonholed into the somewhat

limiting heading of “Christian Education,”

the more encompassing title “Faith

Formation” has emerged as a great fit for

First Christian Church. Faith Formation

is just that, the formation of one’s faith

at any age, in a variety of settings from

classrooms to campgrounds, and at any

time. Faith grows outside of boundaries.

In 2013 FCC stretched its Faith

Formation wings and is began working

towards meeting each member, every day wherever they may be in their walk with Christ.

For our youth, this was meeting them at camp, for some members of our congregation it

is gathering for Sunday Studies or visiting with other “Back Row Broads” where study

materials were provided to help guide conversations.

Psalm 146 wall décor

Thom Crabb built a new cross

for FCC’s sanctuary


All members of our congregation were

encouraged to grow in faith together even

when apart through the weekly “Stretching

Toward Sunday,” reflections on the upcoming

readings for the following Sunday, and the new

“Faith Conversations and Connections”

Facebook page. “Old favorites” also continued

as members gathered during Lent at local

restaurants and pubs to enjoy the annual

Lenten Study led by Pastor Nancy.

As we look forward to the new year, we

hope to respond to the input of our

congregation and offer a wider variety of

active learning opportunities through

additional small group offerings, occasional

all church activities, and a special Week in

Mission focus. We’re looking forward to

growing. Adapting Faith Formation to

address not only changing times but the

hearts and interests of our congregation

remains a primary goal and important part

of the FCC mission so that every member

will be actively involved in growing in faith.

New leadership for Faith Formation

emerged in 2013, proving that energy and

momentum are contagious. The Faith

Formation Team is looking forward to the

coming year.

A goal of the Faith Formation Team is to

find ways to better support leadership in

the congregation. We’re proud of Ben

Johnson’s representation of FCC on the

Regional Youth Council (RYC).



When Ministries Merge

Many times a budget shown in columns and rows of numbers does not

reflect that the ministries of a church actually overlap and blend

together most of the time. Mission becomes Stewardship becomes

Disciple Formation. And that’s good—the ways one comes closest to

experiencing God’s Spirit may emerge in so many times and places.

When Church is working well and at its healthiest, there is a seamless

effect in the real-life, day to day happenings in the life of the church as

all roads—and all ministry areas—lead to achieving the Guiding Vision

of the congregation, which leads to the missio Dei, the mission of God.

As we move into a new year and budget, may we each be focused on

our place in the church. Asking “How can I bring about God’s mission

for this church, in this place?” can reveal new ways to dare and dream.

As a community of volunteers and staff with love of God and the desire

to follow Jesus in common, may we each become aware and observant

of how we can bring the Guiding Vision of Our Church to fruition.

Our Guiding Vision

First Christian Church of Puyallup is a gathering of diverse individuals

called by God to live as a blessing in our own neighborhoods

and in the world.

We dream of being a faithful community of God’s people

whose spiritual practices of worship, prayer, study, and ministry

nurture those who are seeking to live in the way of Jesus.

Believing that every follower of Christ is gifted by God,

we dream of being a family in which each person discovers their gifts

and is supported in sharing those gifts with the world.

We experience God’s welcome in our celebration at the communion

table and dream of being a reflection of that welcome in our acts

of acceptance, forgiveness, generosity, justice and peacemaking.

Written by First Christian Church of Puyallup congregation


2014 FCC Puyallup Budget Summary

253.845.6232

www.fccpuyallup.com

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF PUYALLUP

623 9th Avenue SW

P.O. Box 516

Puyallup, WA, 98371

first christian church of puyallup€¦ · homeless ministries first christian has a heart for...

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