Faith Lutheran Church

Faith Approves 2008/2009 Fiscal Year Budget

The 2008/2009 Fiscal Year budget was approved at the August 3^rd Congregational Meeting. 

Budget Narrative

The budget provides for $1.17 million to support the ministries of Faith.  Overall giving by the congregation was significantly higher this past year.  Total giving for the past year was $1.7 million, of which $1.1 million was regular giving in support of our ministries and $675,000 in support of the Growing Together Building Faith capital campaign.  Despite the overall increase in giving, the $1.1 million in regular giving fell about $44,000 short of fully supporting ministry expenses.  

In planning for the current budget, Council made the assumption that regular giving will increase 3% over last year’s regular giving.  This assumption, while prudent, means that the budget process was challenging and the budget approved was a compromise.  Council, Pastor Dave, Staff and Faith’s Business Managers spent many hours reviewing multiple budget options.  The approved budget does not scale back any of Faith’s ministries, but it does eliminate a salary increase for Faith’s staff effective January 1, 2009.   Our congregation is blessed with very dedicated and talented staff, and as a Congregation, we appreciate all of the work the staff does.   While it was necessary for Council to eliminate the salary increase to present a balanced budget to the Congregation, Council is calling on the Congregation to prayerfully review financial commitments to Faith.  If the financial results of last six months of 2008 come in strong, Council will review the budget in January, 2009 and reinstate a salary increase for staff effective January 1, 2009.  An increase in giving by only $8,000 over our budgeted regular giving would allow us to provide our staff with a 3% salary increase.

If you have questions about the budget, please contact Tom Hardin, Mike Gaul or Jane Turner.