Moderator Reports
Instead of repeating information from one report to another,
I have elected to post previous reports for handy reference and reduce the
verbiage in the current report.
Friday, May 9, 2025
Moderator Reports
Moderator Report May 2025
Moderator Report
May 2025
School’s out. VBS season is upon us. That is followed
shortly by camps. Hello Summer!
Seek Justice. Love
Mercy. Walk Humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
Our standing committees have not met for some time. They
have atrophied to the point that they no longer exist, but we have had some activity
in these functional areas.
Missions.
Stott-Walace info posted to Read Board. Inclusion in the agenda
upon request.
Worship.
It was good to have a special for Resurrection Sunday.
Thanks to Lori Schneberger for continuing the student-led Baccalaureate service
this year.
Education
Rodney Chilton is our Sunday School Superintendent. He will
provide a quarterly report to the session.
Building and Grounds.
I cleaned out the paint from the storeroom, used what I
could, and removed the residue from the floor as much as possible (without
stripping too much of the original floor paint with that which had leaked and
hardened). It may not be pretty, but it’s not a fire hazard anymore. Derrick will
submit an estimate on what to do next regarding lights, and thinks the entire front
door framing might need replacing. I upgraded the signage on the front doors.
In the all things
considered category, the manse has recurring plumbing problems, primarily
attributable to roots. We average about one plumber call per year. There is an ongoing
list of items that need to be repaired.
I have been spraying around the building with some limited
success. I’m trying to keep all vegetation away from the AC units and the rock
bed next to the Yaupon Hollies. I would like to do something with the north
side of the building, which is not highly visible but frequently gets overgrown
with weeds.
Recommendation 1: That Tom be allowed to experiment with
landscaping on the north side of the building.
Fellowship
The meal for the Dorman’s was very much appreciated. The
next 5th Sunday is 29 June 2025.
Other
Finances. We have expended our budget for funeral expenses.
Our Presbytery expense (travel and hosting) is about exhausted (guestimate—I am
not the FA). Arlington was expensive but
really added only about $100 over the norm. An estimate of the required hosting
funds must be determined (estimated and compared with the balance remaining) to
see if a budget amendment is needed or we will host Presbytery on the cheap. If you recall, we disbursed the Backpack
Ministry funds at the beginning of the fiscal year, so these funds are fully
expended as well. Also, the Jr/Sr youth and K-6 Youth Expense (stipends) have
not been disbursed this year (about $1000). Another $2000 is due to be disbursed for camp
and up to $500 for VBS. In addition to the recurring big-ticket expenses—insurance
($2325 – 4X per year—the next payment should be on April’s report) and OUO ($2100
2X per year—the next payment is scheduled for September), we are due another cumulative
disbursement of about $3500. For the line items noted.
Budget. I suggest that the session define the budget
authority for this body. I imagine that with the variety of backgrounds and
experiences on the session, no two people have quite the same perception. This
is more important when the budget is tight, but it will serve sessions going
forward regardless of fiscal standing. I have provided budget guidelines from
various sources and will make this a June agenda item only if the session
requests. I will provide no budget information/worksheets for the Elder Retreat.
Fiscal Discipline and Accountability. So far, there
have been no responses to my posts about another person to help with finances.
I added some verbiage to my latest request seeking the tech-savvy. This is a double-edged
sword as to whether it increases interest or scares off possible candidates,
but it is surely a need in our age.
Pastor Turnover. It’s time to talk search committee
structure and when to start building it. The POA&M targets 1 July 2025. It’s
important that before these people are actually put to work, the session
needs to be able to articulate in one accord the parameters of the committee as
well as the who we are and who we are looking for parts that you
have already begun. Somewhere in the planning and discussion, you need to
discuss Danny Rush. We agreed that he would not be pressured into stepping into
something that he may or may not be ready for, but surely there needs to be a conversation
among the session elders, and at some point with Danny. Danny goes to resident
PAS this summer and should better grasp where he stands in relation to his
studies and calling. I would think that by the Elder Retreat, he might have a
realistic idea of what he is up for beyond his studies.
In the alternate course of action mode, you may (or may not)
want to consider the Baptist approach (not ubiquitous by any means) to filling
the pulpit after I am gone. Sometimes they are in no hurry so that they can
build their war chest, that is to save money for a while by not having a
pastor to pay. Food for thought.
As you continue discussing expectations of the next pastor,
you may want to consider whether these areas that surfaced in last year’s
discussions are expected of your next pastor. Remember that regardless of
whether the pastor is an employee or an independent contractor, a meeting of
the minds (agreement) at the front end of the process generally produces
the best fruit and least conflict.
These may not need to be in the announcement, but the search
committee should be conversant with these. You don’t want to fly someone out
here only to find out afterwards that one or more of these would eliminate us
from their consideration.
Also, I have included in your hard copy packages the 2024
Clergy Compensation Survey.
Bulletins – Sourcing,
preparation, printing, and distribution
Liturgists – Scheduling
and promulgation
Prayer
List
– Compilation and promulgation
Website – Create and manage
a website (FB page) for Burns Flat CPC
Some
Caretaker Duties
·
Sunday Open and Close (Usually 8 am until all
leave [normally by 12:30 pm]).
·
Church Building Key Manager
·
Oversee Janitorial contract, supply requests, and
performance
·
Property Manager for the Manse.
For all the thinking and planning involved, you must trust
that God will send us who we need. We also need to do our part. Pray, trust, do
your part, and trust some more. It benefits us as much as it does the process.
Disposition of Old Copier and Supplies. The old was
discarded, and the toner cartridges were taken to Christi’s Thrift Shop.
Evangelism. We have approximately 200 GOD LOVES YOU –
LOVE ONE ANOTHER WRISTBANDS on hand. We
did not budget for any this year. I will likely place a personal order later
this year. If you think we need any for the remainder of the year, adding them
to my order would be advantageous to both (once you decide what, if anything,
to budget). There is a little discount for volume.
QR Code Link to Online Giving. I still need the URL to our specific part of
the Subsplash website. This is for the online postings. The QR code for printed
materials is working fine.
Trustees. Trustees generally work with matters of
real property. While the Presbytery is the owner of the property (some rulings
say joint owner with the local congregation, but the traditional thinking is
that ownership of real property and ordination are the exclusive domain of the
Presbytery). The trustees act as executors of the estate in many aspects. We
should at least have something in writing as to who they are. This is an agenda
item.
The next meeting is scheduled (by our 3rd
Sunday model) for 15 June 2025. That’s Father’s Day. We have met on Father’s
Day before. If we change it, we should go later in the month rather than sooner,
as sooner will be right on the heels of VBS—agenda item.
Action between meetings. Based on sporadic response
to electronic requests for the session to approve/deny something between
meetings, I will word the requests I receive going forward as “Absent
objections…” This is the silence is consent mode and should address most
situations. I have done this when the request originates with me and the answer
is predictable. I will apply it across the board in the future. Should the
matter require significant discussion, I will call a meeting of the session in
ample time to deal with the request.
Tom Personal, I will be away on 25 May 2025. Please
remember the Gideons in your pulpit
supply listings.
Projects
in Search of a Champion.
May Update
For those who like to stay in the loop...
Vacation Bible School (VBS) is upon us. Talk to
Kendra Walker about helping. This is a fantastic opportunity to be God’s Love
in Action. VBS is the only Christian education that some of our community's
children will receive this year. We will wear the same shirts as we have done
for the last 2 years. See Kendra if you need to order one.
We seek an assistant treasurer, co-treasurer, or similar
role to align our fiscal accountability with current practices. While
this is mainly for accountability, some technical skills would be beneficial.
We are in the age of online banking and giving, EFT, and document sharing.
These skills would be helpful, but more importantly, do you believe that God is
leading you to help in this area? Skills can be learned, but is this where God
wants you?
Start thinking about membership in this body. You can
worship and serve without being a member, but membership opens other doors
(service as an elder, connections with other CPC bodies, denominational
opportunities, and more). Sometimes, people think it’s a gotcha sort of
deal. It’s not, but it does require you to think about how you respond to the
love of God that we know in Christ Jesus. More to follow…
We are hosting the Red River Presbytery Fall Meeting
this September. This is an excellent opportunity to meet others in the
Presbytery and strengthen our connectional community. It is also a time to
experience wonderful worship with fellow CPs.
As we prepare, we are seeking someone who can repair some
pews (mostly the upholstery), do some yard work around the building, and
complete some handyman-type work. We will also have some week-before and
meeting-day duties in addition to the meal we serve our guests. See Kathy
Stegall if you can help with these tasks.
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
Moderator Report October 2024
Moderator Report
October 2024
There are just over two months left in this year. We have
less daylight and will adjust our meeting times to accommodate worship and
fellowship events in November and December. We are still in the business of
making disciples.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven
and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to
obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the
very end of the age.
Matthew 28:18-20
Let’s look first at our standing committees.
Missions.
NTR. Town Celebration is an agenda item.
Worship.
NTR
Education
Wednesday night adult Bible study is Revelation.
Building and Grounds.
We seem to have survived air conditioner season without a
major repair.
Culligan replaced the filters on the RO system. Output is
initially good but will monitor before replacing the membrane. Culligan
recommends checking the working order of the ice machine before replacing the
membrane, which by their tests is working properly.
We may want to decide whether to proceed with our light
replacement or pause it for a while.
Status of spraying our acreage is unknown.
Fellowship
NTR
Other
Newton Lockwood is the church historian.
Chrissy Delp is in charge of Operation Christmas Child this
year.
Our RRP apportionment for 2025 is $327 per month.
Projects
in Search of a Champion. The
Attic (Sort and Organize)
Moderator Report November 2024
Moderator Report
November 2024
This year is almost in the books, but we celebrate
Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas before it’s all done. We should count
our blessings, rejoice, pray, and give thanks regardless of our circumstances.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all
circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Matthew 28:18-20
Our standing committees have not met, but we have had
activity in these functional areas.
Missions.
We had minimal participation in manning our table for the
town celebration. There was a good amount of traffic. Thanks to Danny and
Amanda for the lion’s share of the work. We are still missing the shut-ins in
our outreach.
Worship.
We are seeking people to offer special music during the 11
am service. F4 concluded for the fall with 2 worship services in November. Out
attendance at community services has atrophied. Perhaps we will worships with
our fellow believers that go elsewhere at this year’s Community Thanksgiving
Service.
Education
Sunday morning adult Bible Study is Romans.
Wednesday night adult Bible study is Revelation.
It will resume in January 2025.
We still need a migration plan for F4 youth to Sunday
mornings.
Our 2025
memory verses will complete Psalm
25.
Building and Grounds.
The status of spraying our acreage remains unknown. Stickers
are down considerably. Agenda item.
Fellowship
Thanksgiving service and meal is 17 Nov 24 at 6 pm.
Other
Nomination of 1 Elder. Garrett Stegall is our nominee
to serve on the session beginning in 2025.
See service
and rotation of elders.
Finances. At the last meeting, there was some
question as to the increased expenses for 2010 and 2014. Our history notes that
2010 was the year we purchased the 3.1 acres to our east, and 2014 was when we
resealed the parking lot. Not recorded in the history are expenses for repair
and upgrade of the manse (windows, garage, etc.) Recent A/C expenses over the
past few years are not in the history as it has not been updated since 2018
when I published our current edition.
Church History. Please pray for Newton Lockwood. He
is our third historian in the past six years. He has a lot of catch up to do
and the task seems to be more than most are prepared to tackle. Encourage him
often.
Tom Personal. I’m opting out of the daily
accountability group. I will not be in the pulpit on 8 December 2024.
Projects
in Search of a Champion.
Moderator Report December 2024
Moderator Report
December 2024
This year is almost in the books, but we celebrate
Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas before it’s all done. We should count
our blessings, rejoice, pray, and give thanks regardless of our circumstances.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all
circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Our standing committees have not met, but we have had
activity in these functional areas.
Missions.
We helped 6 families with Thanksgiving baskets who are members
of or connected to our congregation. We also helped several others with food
from the pantry. In the past, this committee thrived on those new to the congregation,
most of whom have moved. Many missions still produce good fruit, but we do not
have a viable committee.
Worship.
The Community Service was held on Sunday Evening, 24
November 2024. One member of our congregation was present. The liturgist
list for 2025 is posted. I confirmed
our standing order for Palms.
Education
We have not had a curriculum review beyond the teacher level
for over twenty years. We have tried on multiple occasions to have a Sunday
School Superintendent’s Report without success. VBS is an educational activity
that has continued under the direction of a core group since it was revitalized
in 2008. In the year ahead, the session may want to consider dissolving this
committee.
A membership class is planned for 18 December 2024.
Building and Grounds.
The status of spraying our acreage will be reviewed this
month, with quotes for service or other options. Last month, the session
decided to continue spraying to some degree, desiring not to regress to
previous sticker levels. This is an agenda item.
We still have a long pew in the fellowship hall. This is an
agenda item.
Much of the session business has involved acting as a
building and grounds committee. Derrick Walker has been replacing lights. Larry
Walker does most of the plumbing (sinks and toilets), but no one has a general
and ongoing situational awareness of the building.
Fellowship
On 4 December, we had a one-pot meal and decorated the
church building for Christmas. A second Wednesday one-pot meal is planned for 18
December. There are plans to make this a game night as well. We have a finger
food fellowship following an evening Christmas worship service on 22 December. It
has been a while since we experienced fellowship in the course of doing things
greater than ourselves.
Other
Annual Report. Information from the clerk and the
December 2024 Financial Report is required to complete this. It is due by the
end of January 2025.
Finances.
QR Code Link to Online Giving. Are we there yet?
Agenda item.
At the last meeting, there was some confusion about the
backpack ministry accounting and payments. In previous years, what was not
expended during the current FY was approved to be liquidated with a check to
Kendra Walker for off-season buying. This year, the payment was not made for FY
24 but posted as an advance for FY 25. A review of the past 2 years noted that
less than $400 was disbursed to this ministry. Of this, at least $350 was from
designated offerings, not budgeted funds. We have many options, among them to
do nothing differently and see if this creates a
shortfall later or address this now. Agenda Item.
The session has previously rejected this, but I would ask
that we reconsider a budget committee for 2025 so that the elder retreat
doesn’t have to begin from scratch.
Tom Personal.
Projects
in Search of a Champion.
Burns Flat CPC Annual Report for 2024
2024 Annual Report Form
December,
2024
(Due to General Assembly Office by February
1, 2025.)
Greetings!
Thank you in advance for completing this year's Annual Report form.
This vital information will be used in the printing of the 2025
Yearbook of the General Assembly.
To SUBMIT this form, you may
1)
reply to this email by entering
your information in the form, save form to your desktop and send an email with the annual report form
attached to: eav@cumberland.org or
2)
fax completed form
to: 901-272-3913 or
3)
mail completed
form to:
General
Assembly Office, 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016.
If you have questions or are
having difficulty in completing this form, you may contact your presbytery
clerk or Elizabeth Vaughn, eav@cumberland.org, 901-276-4572
ext. 226
Below are some definitions that
might help you to complete the 2020 Annual Report form that is located at the
bottom of this email.
CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
Active Member
An active
member has been defined by General Assembly (Minutes 1995, p. 185) as,
“One who has been constitutionally received into membership in a congregation;
and who has attended services of worship at least once each quarter; and who regularly contributes of her/his
time, talent, and/or substance during
each quarter of the church year; or, who, in the judgment of the session, though unable to attend
services of worship, and/or contribute regularly of his/her time, talent or
substance to the church, still maintains a faithful, prayerful and loving
commitment to Jesus Christ and His church.
Removal of Inactive Members
General Assembly has authorized
church sessions to remove from their membership rolls, the names of members who
are inactive by virtue of the fact that their whereabouts have been unknown to
the session for a period of two calendar years. (Minutes, 1995, p. 185)
BAPTIZED CHILDREN
You should report the number of
infant baptisms that occurred only in the year for which you are reporting. (Minutes,
1997, p. 315)
REPORTING INCOME
Include all income received by the
church from all sources, except money loaned to the church or income that is
received as support from a board or agency of the church.
** Don’t forget to print off a copy for your files.
**
Once your form
is received by the General Assembly Office a copy will be sent to your
presbytery clerk.
2024
Annual Report Form
|
Presbytery |
Red
River |
Church
Number |
6301 |
|
Church Name |
Burns
Flat CPC |
||
|
1. Total Membership at end of 2023 was |
70 |
||
|
2. Total Gains during 2024 (Professions of
Faith, reaffirmations and transfers) |
4 |
||
|
3. Total Losses during 2024 (deaths,
transfers, other removals) |
9 |
||
|
4. Total Membership at the end of 2023
(Number 1 plus Number 2 minus Number 3 = Total Ending Membership for 2024) |
65 |
||
|
5. Children (infants) baptized during 2024 |
0 |
||
|
6. Active members at the end of 2024 |
65 |
||
|
7. Professions of faith in 2024 |
0 |
||
|
8. Sunday School enrollment at the end of 2024 |
40 |
||
|
9. Total Income received during 2024
(do not include loans or board/agency support as income) |
88143 |
||
|
10. Total Outreach Giving during 2024
(OUO, presbytery/synod, 2nd mile, local projects, charities,
etc.) |
10359 |
||
|
11. All other expenses during 2024 |
77784 |
||
|
12. Value of all church property
(include church, manse, and any other property the church owns) |
2,100,000 |
||
The OUO
Committee has asked that all congregations be reminded that in 1985, the
General Assembly adopted a recommendation to try to simplify congregational
giving to Our United Outreach. General Assembly agreed that a church would be
asked to tithe or give 10% of their income to Our United Outreach.
For example:
Based on the income amount
entered on line 9, the following calculation shows the
recommended amount to be given to OUO.
10% of Income (line 9 x 10%) $ 10145
Please indicate the
actual amount given to OUO in 2024 $ 88813_
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please
provide any staff changes (i.e. pastor, associate pastor, session clerk) in a
separate email to: eav@cumberland.org
Moderator Report January 2025
Moderator Report
January 2025
The days are getting longer. We have our usual mix of
spring/winter/fall/false spring/winter. The United States had a peaceful
transition of power. Jesus is Lord! That last statement is the most important
by far.
We walk by Faith,
not Sight
2 Corinthians 5:7
Our standing committees have not met, but we have had
activity in these functional areas.
Missions.
NTR
Worship.
We should learn Whosoever Will.
Education
NTR
Building and Grounds.
Tom is planting a few flowers around the cross.
Fellowship
We had a small but enjoyable fellowship meal on 2 February
2025. We need to decide what to do with fellowship meals going forward.
Other
Annual Report. Information from the clerk and the
December 2024 Financial Report are required to complete this, which is due by
the end of January 2025. Annual Report. Submitted.
Finances.
QR Code Link to Online Giving. Are we there yet? This
item was moved to the report section of the agenda..
Moderator Report February 2025
Moderator Report
February 2025
The days are getting longer. We have our usual mix of
spring/winter/fall/false spring/winter. The United States had a peaceful
transition of power. Jesus is Lord! That last statement is the most important
by far.
We walk by Faith,
not Sight
2 Corinthians 5:7
I sent this out early, hoping to facilitate decisions at
Sunday’s meeting (RRP Coordinator, Validate/modify turnover POA&M, Implementation
of QR code, Fellowship meals).
Our standing committees have not met, but we have had
activity in these functional areas.
Missions.
NTR
Worship.
We should learn Whosoever Will. It would be a good
selection for our Presbytery worship.
Education
NTR
Building and Grounds.
Tom is planting a few flowers around the cross.
Fellowship
We had a small but enjoyable fellowship meal on 2 February
2025. We need to decide what to do with fellowship meals going forward.
Other
Annual Report. Information from the clerk is required
to complete this, which is due by the end of January 2025. I have notified
Presbytery and GA.
Finances.
QR Code Link to Online Giving. Are we there yet? This
item was moved to the report section of the agenda.
Moderator Report March 2025
Moderator Report
March 2025
One fourth of 2025 is in the books. That went by fast! We
are observing Lent, gearing up for Palms Sunday, Resurrection Sunday, and Red
River Presbytery.
Seek Justice. Love Mercy. Walk Humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8
Our standing committees have not met, but we have had
activity in these functional areas.
Missions.
NTR. Note place in bulletin and announced.
Worship.
We should learn Whosoever Will. It would be a good
selection for our Presbytery worship.
Education
NTR
Building and Grounds.
There is an assortment of B&G items in the B&G
Mailbox that has been there for a while.
Food for thought.
·
We should make a few minor repairs in the
sanctuary before Presbytery (does not have to be the long-term solution).
·
Pastor turnover might be a good time to replace
the desk and workstation. The next pastor will also need a CPU & monitor or
notebook. The office printer is over 15 years old and is surely due for
replacement but it has given us a good run. I would advise budgeting for these things for
the FY 26 budget and then discussing what is needed with the next pastor.
Fellowship
We had a small but enjoyable fellowship meal on 2 February
2025. We need to decide what to do with fellowship meals going forward.
Other
May is Membership Month. Let’s coordinate to invite
those who attend regularly or with more than the twice a year frequency to join
the congregation. I am not talking about Tom making an announcement several
times and hoping for the best. Let’s plan this work and work our plan.
Pastor Turnover. CIF Goal is 1 April; 2025. What you
want in your next pastor goal is 1 May 2025. These are not dates to turn in the
forms but to get the nuts and bolts established.
Sometime after Spring Presbytery, we (the session) should
send a letter to the BOM and Committee on Clergy, Theology, and Social Concerns
requesting to dissolve the pastoral relationship with me and approve one in which
I am designated as Stated Supply. This keeps us in line with not searching for
a pastor while such a relationship already exists. This would go to Presbytery
in September for approval.
Since the last time you called a pastor, the Standing Rules
of Red River Presbytery have been updated to require the Board of Missions to
have a liaison during your search and for the BOM to review the pastoral
contract. Note: The rules do not say
approve. The BOM does not have approval authority of who the church calls, but
they are the committee assigned to recommend the minister receiving the call to
Presbytery.
Therefore, I have enclosed a copy of a contract we reviewed
at this month’s BOM meeting. I redacted only the pastor's name.
I suggest that each session member drafts their own verbiage
before meeting collectively to arrive at a corporate synopsis. I would also
suggest that the session have a “Define who we are” meeting following the
scheduled session meeting.
I am on the BOM and can be your liason.
Annual Report. Submitted.
Minutes. Submitted.
Finances.
QR Code Link to Online Giving. Are we there yet? This
item was moved to the report section of the agenda.
Projects
in Search of a Champion.
Moderator Report April 2025
Moderator Report
April 2025
Over one-fourth—nearly a third of 2025 is in the books. Holy
Week and Resurrection Sunday are on the immediate horizon. We have been blessed
with rain. We have had three false springs, but Tom’s walking weather is just
around the corner.
Seek Justice. Love
Mercy. Walk Humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
Our standing committees have not met for some time,
but we have had some activity in these functional areas.
Missions.
NTR.
Worship.
NTR
Education
NTR
Building and Grounds.
There is an ongoing
list of items that need to be repaired. We have discussed front door
repairs in passing, but I put it on this
month’s agenda.
Fellowship
We had a small but enjoyable fellowship meal on 2 February
2025. We need to continue to invite and then decide what to do with fellowship
meals later this year. For now, press on with growing our fellowship in this
way.
Other
Copier. The new copier is in service. Thanks to Danny
Rush for helping me set it up in short order. It is connected to our Wi-Fi so
you that know how should be able to print from your phones.
Disposition of Old Copier. The old copier is
functional but hardly optimal. It does have spare cartridges to go with it. I
would like to decide what to do with it at this meeting and not let it sit around
the building for a couple of years.
May is Membership Month. I will announce, but people
respond more to face-to-face. Make no mistake, salvation and making disciples are
our mainstays, but membership has benefits for both the member and the body
alike.
QR Code Link to Online Giving. We are in business.
Thanks, Kendra and Phil. I don’t plan to make a big deal out of this with the congregation,
but do want people to know this option is available. I suggest some supplemental Treasurer’s
Report for the rest of the year to assess efficacy, perhaps the number of
transactions, transactions outside the membership, and total income. It will take a while, but we should be
interested in whether this was merely a matter of convenience for some or if it
generated additional revenue. Surely, this tracking will be a work in progress,
but we should keep a close watch these first few months.
Additionally, we may want to look ahead and determine if
there are any annual requirements to maintain the service.
Fiscal Discipline and Accountability. This is the
responsibility of the session, but the treasurer is typically the central
player in our financial accounting. I have asked again if anyone is interested
in helping with the financial accounting. The position title could vary, but
two-person integrity and accountability are the goals. I'm not sure if we've
ever achieved this, but it's the accepted standard, and we would be well served
to adhere to it.
That said, we have gained no traction on this for decades. Let’s
pray about this, first of all, thanking God that we are blessed to have enough
in giving to need a treasurer and that we have had neither significant miscues nor
fraudulent practices, then petitioning Him to put someone on our hearts who
might be involved in this.
Should we find someone, they may want us to have an audit of
finances so they know what they are getting into before they commit. I don’t
expect anything of note from an audit, but financial audits have been a part of
best practices for nonprofits (including churches) for decades. The typical 501
(C) (3) nonprofit likely does an annual audit conducted by an external entity.
If we are trying to get on board with last century’s best practices, we might
need to take this step as well, though I doubt there is a need for it annually All things considered; I’d rather be in Philadelphia.
Budgeting. I know this bothers some of you, but I
will again suggest a budgeting process that begins in June or July each year,
so the session, in concert with the living elders, may review it at the Elder
Retreat instead of starting from scratch.
I’m not just being ornery (sometimes I am) but am encouraged that after suggesting
three times over fifteen years that we put money that was not obligated for the
current fiscal year into a CD, we finally did it. It’s a don’t bury in the
ground sort of thing. You may have heard me preach on it. So, I’m giving
this budgeting process one more shot. I won’t put it on the agenda unless the
elders on the session ask for it, and I won’t bring it up again if you don’t.
Trustees. Traditionally, the trustees of the local church
are the session. Some sessions name elders as long-term trustees. Other church
bodies have incorporated and define their trustees within the incorporation. We
need to clarify the individuals we have designated as our trustees and ensure
that we record their details and update them when they change. In the
Presbyterian system of government, the church's property is traditionally held
by the Presbytery; however, for the local administration of property matters,
the title may be listed under the names of the local trustees, regardless of who,
the property of the CPC is entrusted to a person or entity for the use of the
CPC. There is no individual ownership of church property—Constitution 3.30 for
more information.
Pastor Turnover. Pastor expectations is the next item
to discuss. It was addressed somewhat last month, but this is the time to
discuss and record it for later reflection/confirmation and some documentation.
I suggest it be done after the meeting is adjourned as we did last month.
Tom Personal. I will be away on April 27, 2025.
Projects
in Search of a Champion.
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