For many congregations, the race to the Annual Meeting begins just after first of the year. Audits are done. Finishing touches to the budget are made. Lists of pastoral acts and membership statistics are compiled. Reports are written and submitted. The Annual Report booklet is printed and distributed. Then, by the end of January, the meeting is held.Depending upon the year and the issues that the congregation faces, the pastor may be a nervous wreck. The president of the congregation (in some places this is the pastor) is usually pretty nervous. Preparing to run a meeting is not an easy task. The parliamentarian, if there is one, will be on hand to give advice, but most congregations have a few additional folks who are glad to offer tips, solicited or not.
This year has presented some real challenges to our congregations. I am hearing that some meetings have been longer and a bit more contentious than usual. Finances have taken a hit, due mostly to the economy, but in many places they have also been impacted by the Churchwide Assembly decisions. Some congregations have had to deal with the reality of staff cuts and the postponement of important projects. Ministry is being hurt because of a lack of money, or in some cases, a perceived lack of money.
The synod’s financial condition has also been weakened. However, I am not terribly discouraged. This is a financial climate under which we have never operated. There are signs that the national economy is improving. It will be a while before we feel a full recovery in the church. Unfortunately, it will probably take some time to make up the lost ground. Fear may be our greatest enemy. Remaining generous while economic threats appear to surround us is tough. But our God is a God of great abundance and we are richly blessed. Have you noted how generous the church has been in response to the tragic earthquake in Haiti? Need has overcome fear as we give our gifts.
There are other congregations in our synod, however, in which discussion of finances has taken a back seat and the majority of meeting time has been spent discussing the mission of the congregation. I have often said that a congregation which has a strong sense of its own mission is far less likely to experience conflict. Evaluating, strategizing and planning mission is a very healthy thing to do.
That sound of rushing wind you hear may be the collective sigh of relief as congregations finish their meetings. It could also be the Holy Spirit at work, blowing through our congregations, with gifts beyond our full comprehension.
How was your Annual Meeting? Are you feeling positively about 2010? Is your congregation operating out of the fear of scarcity or the joy of abundance? What is your mission? What is God calling your congregation to do this year?
Comments? Go to http://niselca.blogspot.com/. --JC
The Associated Press reported on today’s aftershock in Haiti. “From the teeming plaza near the collapsed presidential palace to a hillside tent city, the 5.9-magnitude aftershock lasted only seconds but panicked thousands of Haitians. ‘Jesus!’ they cried as rubble tumbled and dust rose anew….”