...because of your
partnership
in the gospel
from the first day until now, being confident of this, that
he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion
until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:4-6
2016
Narrative Budget
grace of christ presbyterian Church Glorifying God through equipping disciples to love & serve our neighbors
What is a narrative budget? The purpose of a narrative budget is to describe the major elements of our annual budget in the context of our missional priorities. The amount listed for each ministry in this document reflects the 2016 budgeted allocation for operation and staffing for that ministry. We hope this will be helpful information for our congregation as we anticipate Commitment Sunday on October 23, 2016. As we challenge ourselves to love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves, it is appropriate to examine the many ways Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church, Yakima lives out our mission statement: “Glorifying God through equipping disciples to love and serve our neighbors.�
Why do we give? We give to partner with God and make a difference in our world. We make disciples - who in turn will make disciples - faithful followers of Jesus. Consider the words of Paul:
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy
because of your partnership
in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:4-6 (NIV)
setting missional priorities Our Session leadership has spent considerable time discerning areas in which God has especially called Grace of Christ to focus its time, talent, organization and financial commitment. These areas include:
> Children > Youth > Marriage > Parenting > Multi-Cultural & generational OUTREACH
While all ministry areas of our church are highly valued, research shows that thriving churches identify key focus areas that fit their particular context and calling.
Partnering with god
making a difference Giving is a vital part of our life together and our spiritual health. God wants us to be intentional, regular, and generous givers, just as God is with us. Wherever you are in your giving, would you commit to praying and asking: What is the next step God wants me to take in managing all God has entrusted to me? 1. MAKE A FAITH COMMITMENT
Whether you are new to giving, or a long-time giver, take time to pray, asking the Lord how He wants you to give of your time, talents and treasures. Then, set a goal of regular, generous and sacrificial giving to the Lord. Please fill out the 2017 Faith Commitment of Giving Card and bring it to any of our worship services on commitment Sunday, october 23 or mail it to the church.
2. CONSIDER INCREASING YOUR CURRENT COMMITMENT If you are already a regular giver, please prayerfully consider the Lord’s next step for your sacrificial giving.
3. SIGN UP FOR ONLINE/AUTOMATIC GIVING
This is a convenient and easy way to help balance-out our giving throughout the year. Go to YakimaGrace.com/GIVE
2017 faith Commitment of Giving card COMMITMENT Sunday, OCTOBER 23
Our Faith Commitment of Giving Cards will be offered and dedicated on Commitment Sunday, October 23 during our worship services. The 2017 Faith Commitment of Giving Card is located in the tri-fold mailed to homes and is also available in the pews and at the Connection Center. Simply tear-away along the perforation and fill it out in preparation for Commitment Sunday. You are encouraged to hold your card until October 23 so you may offer it in community with your Church family. You may also mail your card into the church office or place it in the offering plate.
How has our giving to the Lord made a difference in 2016? discipleship: $33,460
Jesus has invited us to be His disciples. In discipleship, we learn to be with Jesus in relationship so He can teach us to be people who walk by faith. We learn to understand the scriptures, and the beautiful stories of Jesus so He can teach us to be followers who can communicate this faith to others. And we learn to be in relationship with others in an intentional way so we can see our faith multiply out into all parts of this world that Jesus is redeeming. In order to be these kinds of disciples we need each other; we need the Church. Our hope is that Grace of Christ Church is the type of community where people can learn together how to be in loving relationships where we experience discipleship together. With the changes in our worship service times in 2016, we have attempted to create space for more of these discipleship opportunities with all ages of people in our church.
Family Ministries: $34,162
In addition to Marriage and Parenting opportunities, Family Ministries also partners with Camp Ghormley to host Mountain Meadow Christmas, as well as offering Financial Peace University and Love After Marriage programs. We are so grateful for the leadership Shan Trick has offered in the area of Family Ministry over the last several years. With Shan moving on to a full time job in the community we are praying about what we are called to in Family Ministry in this next season of our church. Shan has helped us to make MARRIAGE and PARENTING ministry both priorities in our church so please continue to pray for how we are going to move forward in 2017.
Marriage Grace of Christ helps couples get off to a strong start through a preparation course conducted by pastors and lay mentors. Marriage classes are offered to strengthen relationships around Biblical principles. Couples are encouraged to join small groups and participate in Family Ministries. Parenting Parenting may be the hardest job ever, yet people seldom receive any training. Grace of Christ offers proven successful parenting classes that are open to the community to help people learn needed skills. Parents learn better ways to communicate and connect with their kids while receiving guidance for raising Christian kids in today’s world.
Children’s Ministries: $237,596 KidZone This Sunday morning children’s program at Grace of Christ,
led by Melissa Gray, Jen Perrault, and Jennifer Knight, stands out for impacting the children of our community with the message of Christ’s love. Through the dedicated service of committed leaders, children ages 2½ years through 5th grade learn what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus, and know the warm sense of belonging to their church family.
Special Events Through family worship services, Christmas,
Palm Sunday, and Easter presentations, children of all ages are welcome participants and leaders in worship.
Vacation Bible School This week long experience, provides
children in Yakima with high energy, fun, and adventure during the summer. This program nurtures a relationship with Jesus to not only the children in our congregation, but serves as an outreach to children and families in our community.
Early Learning Zone Infants and toddlers receive loving care while their parents attend worship services, classes, small groups, Bible studies, meetings and special events. This loving childcare is also important to staff with young children. Grace of Christ Preschool For over 30 years, Grace of Christ Preschool continues to provide an important outreach to the Yakima Valley, impacting children, their families and the schools they move into from here. A devoted and professional staff share the love of Jesus, while building a strong foundation for children’s success in school.
Youth Ministries: $94,462
As we near the end of 2016, we are thankful to report that we are moving closer and closer to hiring our next Director of Student Ministry. Kelsey (our interim director) and Estevan (our youth intern) did a wonderful job in ministering to our teenagers during the 2015-6 school year. Our team of volunteers are leading our teenagers this fall as we finish the process of discerning God’s leading for our Student Ministry staff for 2017.
WEDNESDAY COMMUNITY This is a youth ministry where everyone is welcome and anyone can belong, be known, and hear the Gospel presented in fresh, compelling and insightful ways. Our community is unique in that there are not only GCPC families involved but also young students from outside of the (corporate) Church who see our church as a place where they are cared for, encouraged, included, and mentored. Meals are provided each week with much appreciated help from volunteers. SUNDAY MORNING CLASSES We value our youth and we want to worship alongside them, so we invite them to join us in our 9:00a worship service. After the service, students gather together with leaders to talk about the sermon, learn more about each other, and drink hot chocolate. This time is meant to help us feel refueled for the week ahead and to help us see what God is doing in the world through our conversations and relationships with each other. MISSION TRIPS & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
There are opportunities throughout the year for students to learn about and practice serving our neighbors.
Multi-cultural outreach GRACIA DE CRISTO: $25,200 gracia de cristo Our Spanish-speaking brothers and sisters meet every Sunday in the Sanctuary to hear the message and worship God. Directed by Pastor Alex Rule, Gracia de Cristo also offers many opportunities such as English as a Second Language (ESL) on Mondays and Wednesdays. They also enjoy Sunday morning breakfast each week, family and men’s retreats once a year, Bible studies, a women’s prayer group “Mujeres de Oración,” a men’s group, and weekly music classes for youth.
gracia de cristo restoration ministry
Our Spanish congregation offers a ministry of restoration to families in need in our community, families with low income, the elderly, and to brothers and sisters with disabilities. Our desire is to bring the Love of Jesus into their homes and lives by repairing and painting doors, windows and other places around their homes, as well as removing items that are no longer needed.
community with adams elementary
Grace of Christ adopted Adams Elementary School and supports them with resources and volunteers who help with the reading program. We also assist the PTO, Family Movie Nights, Teacher Appreciation, and more. You may make an additional gift to Gracia de Cristo on your 2017 Faith Commitment of Giving Card.
senior adult ministry & Congregational Care: $30,228
Pastor Cindy Shively works with a variety of dedicated volunteers who provide opportunities for fellowship, nurture and pastoral care for our senior adult population. The Deacons are an integral part of this vital ministry. Outreach to residents of Mabel Swan Manor is one way our church reaches out to our neighbors.
Worship Ministry: $244,961 Magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together! Psalm 34:3 (ESV) When we come together to worship and exalt God, He meets us in a unique way that strengthens our faith, makes us more aware of His presence, and refreshes our spirit. This encounter prepares us for everyday life and empowers us to be His Disciples in the world. Sunday mornings can also be the first connection we have with visitors to extend friendship to our neighbors. Our worship staff is commited to excellent worship through music, prayer, the Word, and preaching, so people will experience hope, encouragement, and instruction relevant to their lives.
Administration & operating: $216,389
The operating and administration expenses at Grace of Christ reflect a very diverse range of activities. Our support staff is the foundation that helps serve and support the operational needs of all our ministries and programs through “people” support, technology, communications and financial accounting. Grace of Christ has an amazing team of dedicated employees that really are the face of our church that impacts and touches not only the members of our Church Family but also the lives of those who find their way to our doors seeking help.
Covenant partnerships: $13,000
All churches in our denomination, ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians, give 1% of their budget to support the administrative costs of running our denomination, including our own Presbytery of the Northwest and Alaska. This is significantly less than PC(USA). Additionally, we gave ¼ of 1% towards funding new church plants. We are excited to be a part of ECO, whose mission is “To build flourishing churches that make disciples of Jesus Christ.”
Ghormley Meadow Christian camp & conference center: $6,750
One of the premier ways Grace of Christ is able to impact our community for Christ is through the amazing work of Camp Ghormley. The beauty of this mountain retreat facility is so conducive to experiencing Christ in new or refreshing ways. Campers come from throughout the Pacific Northwest to rest, play and study God’s word. God is doing amazing things and blessing Ghormley with abundant renewal. We desire the support of the GCPC church family to continue the amazing work He is doing at camp at this time. Right now we are engaged in many projects, and your support helps make them possible. You may make an additional gift to Ghormley Meadow on your 2017 Faith Commitment of Giving Card.
Buildings & Grounds: $273,258
Our custodial & grounds staff does an incredible job of keeping the physical structure and grounds in beautiful condition despite aging structures. Our facilities are heavily used by the community. You may make an additional gift to the Building Fund on your 2017 Faith Commitment of Giving Card.
A generously-used church campus blesses many
In addition to our ongoing worship services & ministry programs, the following is a partial list of the many groups that use our campus on a regular basis: GRACE fellowship, worship & discipleship • Grace of Christ Preschool classes • Gracia de Cristo: worship, small groups, programs & music rehearsals • Prayer Shawl - Saturday knitters • Parenting Classes • Marriage Classes & Mentoring • Discipleship & Small Groups meetings • Kaffee Klatsch • Women in the Word Bible Study • Men’s Noon Bible Study • MOPS: Mothers of Preschoolers • Weddings & Memorials • Clothing X-Change YAKIMA neighbors
• Al-Anon • Overeaters Annon & TOPS • Davis High School Baccalaureate • Union Gospel Mission dinners • Community Memorials • Aglow International • Sacred Messengers • Diabetes Prevention • Faith & Family
GRACE team meetings • Ministry Team meetings • Missions: Living Waters Madison House Wycliffe Bible Translators Compassion International Habitat For Humanity • Women’s Circles & Guilds • Grace Preschool Board partners in ministry • Bible Study Fellowship • Trailseekers • Divorce Care • SOZO Prayer • ESL • Love, INC • Love After Marriage • Financial Peace University • Pursuing a Limitless God Women’s Study • Transform Yakima Together
missions: $74,600
In Matthew 28:19, Jesus commands us to take His Gospel into all the world. In addition to local mission efforts, we support missionaries in Ethiopia, Cambodia, Hawaii, Egypt, Indonesia, and the Philippines. In 2017, we look forward to supporting Jessica Mayo in Wenatchee and the Moultrays in Honduras. May God be glorified and praised!
Additional giving to Designated Missions: $135,000 We anticipate by year-end 2016, over $135,000 will additionally be given to specific missions including: Union Gospel Mission, Wycliffe Bible Translators, YWAM Cambodia, Cambodia Building Fund, YWAM Hawaii, Deacons Fund, Living Waters for the World, Madison House, SIMS, Trailseekers, Navigators, Honduras Christian Health Services, Camp Ghormley, Grace Youth Mission, Outreach Camp, Project Mercy, and Calvary Rescue Mission.
Q. What did we spend in 2016?
By year’s end, it is anticipated that we will spend $1,196,100. With a leaner staff, we anticipate a surplus for the year. Thank you for your faithful and consistent giving throughout the year which makes this possible.
Q. What is our goal for the 2017 budget?
We look forward to hiring a new Lead Pastor and Youth Director, and some increases to our Mission giving and ministry support, which means an approximate 10% budget increase.
Q. How can we reach our 2017 budget?
First and foremost, we encourage people to understand that they are not giving to meet a budget, but rather out of love for God and compassion for His people. Our giving helps partner with God to bring His Kingdom to earth! With God’s help, if everyone takes a step of faith, and turns in a Faith Commitment Card, we believe we can reach our 2017 budget.
Ministry impact
for monies donated by percentage ...for the purpose of making disciples ...who make disciples Congregational Care & Senior Adults 2%
Admin & Operating 17%
Worship Ministry 19%
Covenant Partnership 1%
Family Ministry 3%
Buildings & Grounds 21%
Children's Ministry 18% Gracia de Cristo 2% Youth Ministry 7%
Missions 6%
Ghormley 1% Discipleship Ministry 3%
total 2016 budget: $1,284,066
How to sign up for
automatic Online giving
Grace of Christ is pleased to offer Automatic Online Giving. Just go to our web site: www.YakimaGrace.com/give We hope you will find this to be a convenient and easy way to schedule and track your giving from home. It also provides an easy way to generate reports of your online giving for tax preparation and record keeping. We encourage you to call our Business Manager, Tammy Nunley, at 248-7940 x 104 if you have questions.