He gives you something
you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous In every way, producing with us
great praise to God. 2 Corinthians 9:11 (MSG)
2015
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. We hope this will be helpful information for our congregation as we anticipate Commitment Sunday on October 25, 2015. 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 in order to make disciples - who in turn will make disciples faithful followers of Jesus. Consider the words of Paul:
God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it, “He throws caution to the winds, giving to the needy in reckless abandon. His right-living, rightgiving ways never run out, never wear out. This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into fullformed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God. 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 (MSG)
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.
giving to share god’s grace 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 2016 Faith Commitment of Giving Card and bring it to our one combined worship service on commitment Sunday, october 25.
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. (YakimaGrace.com & click on GIVE)
2016 faith Commitment of Giving card COMMITMENT Sunday, OCTOBER 25
one service at 10:00 - celebration potluck follows Our Faith Commitment of Giving Cards will be offered & dedicated on Commitment Sunday, October 25 during our one service at 10:00am. The 2016 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 25 so you may come forward with the rest of 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 2015? discipleship: $63,548
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. Assistant Pastor Tyler Van Horn, guides this intentional effort that extends to all the ministries of Grace of Christ.
Family Ministries: $18,659
In addition to Marriage and Parenting opportunities, Family Ministries, led by Shan Trick, also partners with Camp Ghormley to host the Fall Harvest Festival and Mountain Meadow Christmas, as well as offering a variety of family activities throughout the year.
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: $164,527 KidZone This Sunday morning children’s program at Grace of Christ,
led by Susie Woodin, Michele Lenderman and Melissa Gray, 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 Whether it’s a week long experience,
or Super Summer Sunday VBS, children in Yakima experience high energy, fun, and adventure during the summer. Not just for kids anymore, families are now part of the excitement on Sunday mornings with music and motions, skits, and all that goes along with the excitement of VBS!
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 Celebrating 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: $73,083
Grace of Christ Youth Ministry, led by interim director, Kelsey Schmidt and intern Estevan Mata, provides a safe place for teenagers to learn about Jesus, ask the tough questions, and grow in their faith and friendships through youth group, retreats, and most importantly through relationships.
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 9:30 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.
senior adult ministry & Congregational Care: $28,801
Pastor Cindy Shivley 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.
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 Alex Rule, Gracia de Cristo also offers many opportunities such as English as a Second Language (ESL) on Sundays, Mondays, and Wednesday. They also enjoy Sunday morning breakfast each week, family and men’s retreats once a year, Bible studies, a women’s 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 not only with many resources, but also with volunteers who help students in the classroom with reading. We also help out the PTO, and lend a hand with Family Nights, Teacher Appreciation, and more.
Service Ministry & missions: $69,100
Our Mission work takes us around the world and across the street. In addition to local mission efforts, we support missionaries in Ethiopia, Cambodia, Mexico, Egypt, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Worship Ministry: $248,778 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: $231,216
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: $15,662
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: $13,500
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. Ghormley’s excellent staff is prayerfully considering future needs for the camp, and are actively planning for future facility improvements. Your monthly or one-time contributions go a long ways towards making these plans a reality. You may make an additional gift to Ghormley Meadow on the 2016 Faith Commitment of Giving Card.
Buildings & Grounds: $252,316
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. If you would like to give specifically to the Building Fund to help promote this connectedness, please note the special line on the Faith Commitment card for this purpose.
A generously-used church campus blesses many
In addition to our ongoing worship services & programs, the following is a partial list of the many groups that use our campus on a regular basis: GRACE worship, fellowship & 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 • Pursuing a Limitless God Women’s Study • 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 • Young Lives Spring Tea • Transform Yakima • Davis High School Baccalaureate • Davis High School International Baccalaureate testing
• TOPS: Take Off Pounds Sensibly • WSU Nurses Convocation • Union Gospel Mission dinners • American Guild of Organists • Community Memorials
GRACE team meetings • Missions: Living Waters Madison House Wycliffe Bible Translators Compassion International Habitat For Humanity • Women’s Circles & Guilds • Grace Preschool Board • Ministry Team meetings partners in ministry
• Bible Study Fellowship • Trailseekers • Divorce Care • SOZO Prayer • Women of Action prayer
Ministry impact
for monies donated by percentage ...for the purpose of making disciples MINISTRY IMPACT FOR MONIES BUDGETED BY PERCENTAGE ...who make disciples MINISTRY IMPACT FOR MONIES BUDGETED BY PERCENTAGE Admin & Operating Admin &20% Operating
19%
Congregational Care & Senior Adults Worship Ministry 2% 19% Worship Ministry 21%
Congregational Care & Senior Adult 3%
Covenant Partnership Covenant 1% Partnership 1%
Family Ministry 4% Family Ministry 2%
Buildings & Grounds Buildings 21% & Grounds 21%
Children Ministry Children's 14% Ministry 14% Ghormley 1% Ghormley
Cristo Vive 2% Gracia de Cristo Youth Ministry 2% 6% Youth Ministry 6%
1% Discipleship Ministry 3% Service Ministry Discipleship Ministry 6% 5% Service Ministry 6%
total cash budget for 2015: $1,204,390
Additional giving to Designated Missions: $125,000 We anticipate by year-end 2015, over $125,000 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, Young Life, Madison House, Allegro, CRU, SIMS, Camp Ghormley, Grace Youth Mission, Outreach Camp, Project Mercy, Love INC (Love In the Name of Christ), and Calvary Rescue Mission.
q & A wrap-up Q. What did we spend in 2015?
By year’s end, it is anticipated that we will spend $1,204,390. We continue to be good stewards by carefully matching expenses and revenues, on a monthly basis. Thank you for your faithful and consistent giving throughout the year which makes this possible.
Q. What is our goal for the 2016 budget?
We want to fund the ministries and mission to which God is calling us. We are looking at increasing our budget by 5-10% to provide the staff and resources needed for the next chapter of Grace of Christ. Please pray and ask the Lord: “What is my part in supporting our financial needs?”
Q. How can we reach our 2016 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 God’s Kingdom come to earth! With God’s help, if everyone does their part, and turns in a Faith Commitment Card, we believe we can reach our 2016 budget.
How to sign up for
automatic Online giving
Grace of Christ is pleased to offer Automatic Online Giving. 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. Just go to our web site: www.YakimaGrace.com and click on give We encourage you to call our Business Manager, Tammy Nunley, at 248-7940 x 104 if you have any questions.