At Calvary's Church in Conference on September 21st, where financial reports were presented showing that expenses have surpassed income for several months, I announced that drastic spending measures were being taken this fall. (September is the first month in several where our expenses did not exceed income and we hope that will be the case in the remaining months of 2014). As mentioned before, the missions committee adopted a revised budget reducing their expenses and some of their missionary/missions support. Ministry leaders have been asked to finish the year at less than 80% of their budget. The final measure involves staff cuts.
In addition to not filling the Pastor for Music and Worship position, the personnel committee and I made some very difficult decisions to reduce our personnel costs this fall. We have laid off one of our full-time custodians, Javier Ramirez, and do not have plans to fill that position anytime soon. Additionally, two of our full-time ministry assistants, Kathy Herzberg and Onydia Garza were moved to half-time. Finally the position of Business Administrator, which is currently filled by James McGinnis, has been replaced with a position titled Pastor for Administration (with worship/communication coordination responsibilities). The rationale behind this big change has to do administrative and worship coordinating responsibilities that are currently being carried out by the Lead Pastor. Since Dr. Joe Gerault and Mark Richardson left our staff, some of their responsibilities have been absorbed by the Lead Pastor. Since there are no plans to fill either of these vacancies, in order to be effective moving forward, I need someone that can oversee the business administration functions, assist me with pastoral administration, and with worship/communication coordination. By agreement of the personnel committee, and according to our Constitution and Bylaws, this Pastor for Administration position will be immediately filled with an interim to ensure a smooth transition.* At the right time, a search process by the congregation will be set in motion. Most of these changes are effective this next week. Some of them will be in transition before the end of the year.
These changes also call for additional responsibilities for the rest of the staff. Primarily this means changes of responsibilities for our Ministry Assistants and our custodians. Our two full-time custodians, Alonso Cano and Dino Ontiveros, will absorb the responsibilities of three full-time custodians. Our ministry assistants will have the following new assignments:
- Anna Ruggles: Receptionist/Music & Worship/Adults
- Carmen Gaytan: Finances/Spanish Language Ministry
- Alma Escobar: Lead Pastor/Administration
- Bianca Barajas: Children & Student Discipleship
- Onydia Garza: Communications (Part-Time)
- Kathy Herzberg: Missions (Part-Time)
Needless to say these decisions have been very difficult for me, the personnel committee, the staff, and those who are affected by them. Javier Ramirez worked as a Calvary custodian for six years. Kathy Herzberg and Onydia Garza have served our staff well and are now needing to make adjustments. James McGinnis has served Calvary as Business Administrator for 12 years. James has demonstrated an impeccable work ethic, a commitment to Calvary and an ability to cover a broad range of responsibilities. We are very grateful for the service that each of these staff members have rendered to Calvary and to God. Please join me in praying for those who will be seeking new employment elsewhere and for those who are making other difficult adjustments.
We are trusting God to meet the ministry needs in our church, to meet the financial needs of both church and staff, and to provide for those who are on the receiving end of these difficult cuts. Please pray that each person and family in our congregation will be sensitive to God's leading in terms of giving to support the ministry of Calvary.
Please pray for the personnel, building & grounds, missions, and the stewardship committees which are engaged in Budget 2015 development. They are all working very hard to prepare a budget that significantly reduces the 2014 budget. They understand these reductions need to be somewhere between 15% to 20% (or between $350,000 to $400,000) less than our current budget. Making these kind of reductions while ensuring that the missions, ministry and facility needs of our church are met is a very difficult thing. However, the stewardship committee and I are convinced that our budget needs to correspond to our current level of giving. This is not a lack of faith or reliance on God. It is a responsible stewardship measure. We believe God has already provided so we need to take steps to live within that provision. Is there more giving potential in our congregation? Most likely there is, but until that happens we need to live within our means. When others discover the privilege of giving and join Calvary in this venture, we will certainly be aware of needs that need to be met and act accordingly.
I am confident that these changes to our staff will allow us to live within our means and to still be effective in the work that has been assigned to us as we lead Calvary through this difficult time on a promising future by God's grace. May God honor our faith and bless our future!
*I will announce my choice for an Interim Pastor for Administration in a blog post next week
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