GHC Annual Report | 2014

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Growing Healthy Churches ANNUAL MINISTRY

REPORT 2014

ADVANCE // MOVING THE KINGDOM FORWARD


GROWING HEALTHY CHURCHES

Together. Shaping the Future.

REGIONAL CLUSTERS Growing Healthy Churches by networking, resourcing and encouraging church leaders, congregations, and denominations in the areas of growth, health, transformation and church planting.

Supported. Stretched. Infused. Get to a Cluster! You‘re a Lone Ranger by choice. First Monday

South Central Valley | Floating Location | Ed Kemp | 10:00 am

First Wednesday

Sierra Nevada Cluster | Adele’s Cafe, Carson City NV | Bill McCready | 8:00 am

First Thursday

Sacramento | Antioch Progressive Church, Sacramento CA | Curtis Mitchell | 9:00 am

Second Monday

North Central Valley | Floating Location | Pete Shaw | 10:00 am

Third Monday

Bay Area | Floating Location | Tom Cullen | 10:00 am

Fourth Monday

North Bay Area | Location Floating | Pete Shaw | 10:00 am

Second Saturday

Spanish Speaking | First Baptist Church, Stockton CA | Pablo Zelaya | 9:00 am

Church Planting Clusters 1

Contact tomcullen@growinghealthychurches.org for dates & locations


RESOURCING

NETWORKING

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

TRANSFORMING

~ 1 Corinthians 1:10

ENCOURAGING

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CONTENTS

“One movement, with many expressions, with the same goal -- to express the love of God in a practical compassionate way-- to see the lost come into relationship with Jesus Christ.“ ~ Dr. Tim Brown, GHC Executive Minister

We have chosen to believe that we are better together breaking down silos and creating synergies. Page 11

CELEBRATION RE-CAP

Every time I get to be with our GHC leaders and churches I have a great sense of expectation and optimism for what we can accomplish together. Page 10

GHC UPDATE

My gratefulness to God is multiplied every time I get to coach a pastor... resource a church staff or come alongside a church for a season of time. Page 13

The work of transformation is hard, but well worth the effort. Page 18

MINISTRY UPDATES

FINANCIAL REPORT

“Growing churches are led by growing pastors ... You teach what you know and reproduce what you are.“ ~ Paul Mints, Pastor The Community at Lake Ridge in Arlington TX

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CONTENTS

“Creativity happens when we show up in community -- a trusted environment. We all have something to teach eachother.“ ~ Dr. Pete Shaw, Pastor Crosswalk Community Church Napa CA & GHC Lead Regional Pastor

2014 CELEBRATION ~ RE-CAP Speaker Info

I Recognitions I Exhibitors

5 GHC UPDATE Tim Brown, Executive Minister

I Gary Cooper, Board President

11 MINISTRY UPDATES

Transformational Ministries I Church Planting Regional Clusters I Recruitment Kingdom Networks I Administration

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FINANCIAL REPORT GHC Giving Report

I Financials

21 “GHC Assessments help you know what you‘re doing right. Leaning into your strengths is a powerful tool. Let your strengths lead you into what you need to be doing.“ ~ Bill McCready, Pastor LifePoint in Minden NV

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2014 CELEBRATION

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit —fruit that will last.

STAY CONNECTED Take a moment to join our eNewsletter, GHC‘s main avenue for communication. Stay up-to-date on upcoming events & webinars, find your church‘s mission giving report, and read leadership material from Dr. Tim Brown, Dr. Bill Hoyt, Rev. JD Pearring and more!

.

You can either scan the QR Code on the left, using your smart phone‘s QR app or you can join our email list on the GHC website by visiting: growinghealthychurches.org Either way, we look forward to staying in touch with you!

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~ John 15:1 16


2014 CELEBRATION

Dr. Scot McKnight A world-renowned speaker, writer, professor and equipper of the Church. He is a recognized authority on the historical Jesus, early Christianity, and the New Testament. Dr. McKnight currently serves as a Professor at Northern Seminary.

Dr. Tim Brown God has not only blessed GHC‘s Executive Minister, Dr. Brown, as one of the most eective leader pastors in GHC but has opened up doors of ministry across denominations and geographical boundaries.

Exhibitors Christian Community Credit Union, International Ministries, Rainbow Acres, & Redwood Glen.

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2014 CELEBRATION

RECOGNITIONS & REMEMBRANCES

NEW CHURCHES

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Revive Church, Stuart FL Todd Mozingo

The Well, Midlothian TX Kevin Mulkey

The Junction Church, West Seattle WA Matt Webb

Mosaic Church, Marietta GA Stevie Flockhart

Authentic Life Fellowship, Greenville TX Jimmy Vaughn

Freedom Church, Portland OR Robbie York

The Block Church, Philadelphia PA Joey Furjanic

New Vision Comm Church, Fort Worth TX Tony Canady

Church of Faith Intl, Kanas City MO Anthony Andrews

Mosiac Church of Durham, Durham NC Dan Johnson

Roots Church, Gilbert AZ Chris Mayfield

New Vintage, Lodi CA Blake Wyatt

In God‘s Hands Ministry, Kanas City MO Jess Thomas

Fiddletown Comm Church, Fiddletown CA Paul Cherry

Vintage Grace, El Dorado Hills CA Drew Sodestrom

Iglesia Nueva Vida, Castro Valley CA Pedro Valdez


2014 CELEBRATION

I thank my God every time I remember you. 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.. ~ Phillipians 1:3-6

NEW PASTORS

IN LOVING MEMORY

Brett Franklin Cornerstone Comm Church, Incline Village CA

Richard Jackson Burton

Chris Aycock First Baptist Church, Fort Bragg CA Joel White Crossridge, Sherwood OR

Ice Wilcox

ORDINATION ANNIVERSARY 20 YEAR Timothy Grimaldo Jeff Henrik Brad

Brown Enriquez Kristenson Mann Stahl

30 YEAR Allen Michael James John James William Bruce Kevin Garry

Douglas Gleason Jackson Jackson Kennon Nolte Stryd Wood Zeek

50 YEAR Richard Daniel Richard

Brock Gates Jefferson

Thanking God For Your Service to His Church 8


GHC UPDATE

9

Every time I get to be with our GHC leaders and churches I have a great sense of expectation and optimism for what we can accomplish to ogetther.


GHC UPDATE

TIM BROWN Executive Minister Growing Healthy Churches exists to grow healthy chur-

financial strategic plan was developed and implemented

ches by networking, resourcing and encouraging church

and ministry realignments occurred.

leaders, congregations, and denominations in the areas of growth, health, transformation and church planting.

Here are some initial steps taken in 2014:

We serve denominational leaders, churches and pastors

• All expenses of the professional staff were significantly

on their walk through transformation and spiritual, finan-

reduced, and some professional staffing hours were redu-

cial and numerical reproduction. Here’s how we help:

ced.

Assessment & Strategic Planning

Consulting

were eliminated and reorganization occurred.

Three GHC office positions and one professional staff

Mentoring

Coaching

• Caryn Ryan, Founder and Managing Member of Mission-

Leader Development/Training

well, was hired as our CFO, and we employed Missionwell

Capital Campaign/Ministry Expansion

to provide accounting and financial services.

Church Planting • Stern Fisher Edwards was appointed as our Investment

We have assisted and invested in numerous leaders and

Counsel and Jim Moylan as the Investment Advisor.

churches in 2014. Here are some highlights. Four of our churches went through and extensive assessment and stra-

• We hired a different auditing firm to handle our annu-

tegic planning process. Many staff hours and thousands of

al audit. Capin Crouse (the leading auditor of Christian

mission dollars helping four of our churches find Senior

ministries) was appointed as our auditor, and Christopher

Pastors. Two new regional clusters were started. One of

Gordon is the audit manager.

those clusters is for Hispanic church leaders. In May, we offered a two-day Leaders Retreat with Dr. Dan Allendar

in Cambria, CA. I have spoken at 19 of our GHC churches,

more productive, including requirements for a stronger

while many of our GHC staff have invested hundreds of

degree of transparency on ministry operations, financial

hours in ongoing coaching with our pastors and providing

reporting and conflicts of interest. We are working to form

assistance and resources to our partner churches.

a finance team to assist the board with the execution of

We

have also developed strategic partnerships with three dis-

The GHC Board has been working to make our board

their financial governance responsibilities.

tricts of the Wesleyan Church, and two other denominational entities. Individual churches from various parts of the

In spite of our challenges, the Kingdom of God continues

United States contact us regularly for help. In early 2014,

to expand through GHC. I continue to remain hopeful and

we resourced 12 new GHC church plants, and the Growing

believe the best days of GHC are ahead of us. I dream of

Healthy Churches Network continues to expand in vari-

our region and network being a catalyst for massive King-

ous parts of the U.S. We helped to solidify support for our

dom expansion all over the world and sincerely think this

churches impacted by the Napa earthquake. Additionally,

can become a reality for us. Every time I get to be with our

our office team handles countless numbers of phone calls

GHC leaders and churches I have a great sense of expecta-

and questions regarding various issues our churches face.

tion and optimism for what we can accomplish together. I

The information and services our team provides has pro-

am confident that thousands of people will come to know

ven to be vital and invaluable to our member churches.

the saving grace of Jesus Christ and will be served in His name because of our effort to grow healthy churches by

This year has been a challenging year as well. With the

networking, resourcing and encouraging church leaders,

continual trend of decreased mission giving, we had to

congregations, and denominations in the areas of growth,

make some difficult financial and staffing adjustments. A

health, transformation and church planting.

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GHC UPDATE

GARY COOPER Board President

cost. At this time, some of the best “Intentional Interim” pastors I know are helping churches that are committed to begin healthy transitions and pastoral searches. There is an old expression, a challenge really – “Put your money where your mouth is.” When it comes to church planting, GHC has done that with an overwhelming commitment of close to 65% of its annual budget to church planting activities through the GHC Network.

From can-

didate assessments, to fund-raising assistance and ongoing coaching advice, GHC is in the forefront of effective church The Common Goal for the Common Good, that is what

planting throughout the country.

healthy teams possess. Whether they are on the playing field, a boardroom or the local church, organizations that

This past year, Dr. Brown and the Board invested many

align themselves with core values and vision have a grea-

hours addressing a number of mission-critical structural

ter probability of success than those that do not. I call it

changes that needed to be implemented so that GHC could

better together – and that is what we at GHC are striving

achieve its vision. Dr. Brown and the Board were trained

for – together with you.

by a top law firm on the duties and responsibilities of board members in today’s rapidly changing environment;

We have chosen

It’s no secret, GHC and other denomina-

new budgeting, financial and investment structures were

tions, are facing some of the most challen-

implemented or strengthened to insure every dollar that

ging times in our history; aging churches

you and your church tithe will be invested wisely; and a

are better together

and declining giving to name but two. Some

series of personnel policies including conflict of interest

breaking down

churches are choosing the ostrich method,

disclosures for Board and Staff were implemented.

to believe that we

silos and creating

hiding their heads in the sand, hoping that things will get better; others, because they

Winston Churchill’s words “Never have so few done so

are currently successful see little need to

much with so little” fits the reality of our support staff.

contribute. GHC however is taking a page

Weakened by budget cuts that have reduced employee

from a former church legend who wrote Tough Times Ne-

numbers, their resolve to deliver the best in support to you

ver Last, but Tough People Do.

and your church has never been greater. I know of many

synergies.

Dr. Tim Brown, his staff

and the GHC Board have teamed up to insure that GHC can

GHC Network churches both established and brand new

effectively respond to the challenges, today and tomorrow

who owe so much to these talented men and women. We

while maintaining the dual commitment of church revita-

owe them much more than a thank you.

lization and church planting. We have chosen to believe that we are better together breaking down silos and crea-

Next week I start a sermon series – Better Together, to en-

ting synergies.

courage a church in transition. The short series will explore how a healthy church can accomplish God’s Kingdom

Our established churches have access to some of the best

vision when it learns to Grow, Give and Go – in ministry

consultants and support staff available to help navigate

together.

many of the challenges facing older churches. Pastoral

a century old First Church, or a bouncing baby newborn

clusters, conferences, webinars, church assessments, and

church that alone we can do little, but together we can do

good old fashioned 1:1 coaching are available to any GHC

much. Remember, we can be Better Together.

church that asks for assistance; most of this at little or no

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I challenge you, whether you are the leader of


GHC UPDATE

The Common Goal for the Common Good, that is what healthy teams possess ... I call it better together and that is what we at GHC are striving for – together with you.

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BILL HOYT

Regional Consultant A common denominator among us, in addition to our being the daughters and sons of God, is that we are called of God to be leaders. If you are reading this, you are either a pastor, staff member or lay leader in a GHC church. What an honor, to be called of God to serve His Bride, the church, as leaders. And how humbling! Who of us deserves such a high calling? I am so grateful to God that He allows me to work with leaders the caliber of Tim Brown, Pete Shaw, JD Pearring, Gilbert Foster, Paul Borden and Pam Breen at GHC. My gratefulness to God for the privilege is multiplied every time I get to coach a pastor, work with a pastor and board, resource a church staff or come alongside a church for a season of time. Thanks to every one of you who has enriched my life by allowing me to serve you this past year. The GHC website states, “We care about our churches and pastors.” I want to affirm the truth of that statement. It’s not a mere slogan. It’s not a public relations sound bite. It’s the truth! I would not be a part of GHC if it were not true. So to you, as a leader in a GHC church, please know we are here for you. I am here for you. Here are just some of the ways you can let me serve you.

MINISTRY UPDATES •

My gratefulness to God is multiplied every time I get to coach a pastor, work with a pastor and board, resource a church staff or come alongside a church for a season of time.

Coaching – both formal and informal, short or long-term. Often coaching involves a conversation or two regarding a specific chal-

lenge. Sometimes coaching is longer term, with regular conversations over a matter of months covering a range of issues or situations. •

Leadership Team Building. Over the years I have had the delight of helping many pastors and boards develop as a team in providing

leadership to the church. I am frequently asked to help staff teams work together more effectively. Sometimes I am asked to help paid staff learn how to fully develop and utilize the potential of lay ministry teams. •

Mission and Vision Alignment. It’s often a daunting task for pastors, staff member and boards to align the programs, ministries,

staffs, ministry teams and budgets of a church in ways that enable them all to move the church toward the achievement of its Mission and Vision. Sometimes a couple of small adjustments are all that’s needed, sometimes a more comprehensive re-arranging is in order. Having an experienced, outside person walk with you on that journey is often helpful, if not actually essential. You might want assessment, help in focusing your church on the vision, help in stewardship development, capital campaigns, advise on sticky relationships with other leaders, outreach and evangelism ideas that actually work ... Email me. Call me. I am here to serve. And serving you well brings me great joy.

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MINISTRY UPDATES

JD PEARRING

GHC Network I Church Planting The GHC Network continues to support church planters and high level leaders and each year we gather at the annual Celebration to reflect on what we’ve seen God do this last year. Let me share with you some of the specific people and ministries that give me a reason to celebrate. New Leaders and New Churches The GHC Network has signed more church planters in 2014 than ever before! National Signing Day –February 5th was a big day for college football but also a significant day for GHC. We had the privilege of signing eleven top church planters across the country to partner with us in ministry: Anthony Andrews in Kansas City, MO; Tony Canady in Fort Worth, TX; Stevie Flockhart in Atlanta, GA; Joey Furjanic in Philadelphia, PA; Dan Johnson in Durham, North Carolina; Chris Mayfield in Gilbert, AZ; Drew Sodestrom in El Dorado Hills, CA; Kevin Mulkey in Midlothian, TX; Jess Thomas in Kansas City, MO; Jimmy Vaughn in Greenville, TX; and Robbie York in Portland, OR. In addition we’ve signed several other church planters to our network! Clusters – Connecting planters and leaders with the Network often begins with cluster events because these are environments where they get to see firsthand how we care for and support leaders. Clusters are about creating an environment where planters know they are cared for, in life as well as ministry, are prayed for, and are given great training. Clusters meet regionally throughout the U.S. in northern and southern CA, the Northwest, Dallas TX area, the Midwest, Florida and on the East Coast. Discovery Centers – In the last year we’ve helped 41 candidate couples and individuals determine if church planting or campus pastoring was their next step in ministry. The four-day event is designed to help leaders take their

We’ve helped 41 candidate couples and individuals determine if church planting or campus pastoring was their next step in ministry.

next successful step in ministry. Some comments shared by participants: “Appreciated this experience overall. That I had opportunity to participate was a blessing to me and my wife. It was very ministry and life affirming for us both.“ – Greg Sawyer “It has been very helpful as my church looks to the future of who we are and where we go. I would recommend every pastor go through this process, you do come out on the other side a stronger and more mature believer.“ – Eric Brown “The Discovery Center brought to life with clarity our strengths for planting a new faith community unlike any assessment I have previously undertaken. This process has made it easier for me to discern where God would intentionally want me to be in ministry and I am thankful!“ - Anthony Everett, Nia Community of Faith Support Environments As the number of leaders and churches in the network grows, we’re refining the 10 systems of support and considering how we can create environments that promote: Spiritual Vitality, Funding, Inviting, Assessing, Vision Alignment, Training, Coaching, Caring, Creativity and Partnering. Coaching relationships, personalized training and assessment for churches, clusters and the Discovery Center continue to be key in supporting high level leaders. We celebrate opportunities to partner with leaders and groups in advancing the Gospel. The GHC Network has an impact beyond our own churches and I look forward to celebrating all that God is going to do in 2015!

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MINISTRY UPDATES

PETE SHAW

Lead Regional Pastor Have you ever met with a church member who came to

stress, and greater burnout. Clusters are a key component

you for advice because they were stuck in their faith and

of healthy, vibrant ministry.

felt like God wasn’t there anymore? You probably handle it like I do: tell me about the disciplines you are incorpo-

The VISION for clusters over the next year is to provide

rating into your life to help you have a healthy relation-

highly engaging cluster experiences where pastors can

ship with God. How often do you make a Sunday service?

learn from and support each other while having a really

How’s your devotional life? What small group are you in?

good time sharing a cool experience together. If you were

Where are you serving?

able to attend one of the three field trip clusters in September you know what I’m talking about! And I am sure you

Pretty much every time, the PROBLEM is that they are ex-

were inspired by the experience. So, make sure you know

pecting a vibrant relationship with God without the key

when & where the clusters are happening by opening the

components that serve to bring them toward that healthy

emails we send (Are you receiving them? Are they in your

relationship. They don’t meet with God very often for a

spam box?), liking GHC on Facebook, following GHC on

chat (personal devotional life), they try to go it alone (they

Twitter, and visiting GHC’s website regularly.

aren’t in a small group of some kind), and they aren’t serving anybody (including themselves).

We shake our

Over the course of the year you will have the opportuni-

head at them (at least on the inside) and wonder why they

ty to hear from our Executive Minister, Dr. Tim Brown at

would ever expect anything different?

each of these clusters. Tim is an exceptionally personable I know a lot of

leader who understands what it is like to lead churches

pastors

who

through transformation, because he’s done it, and offers

wanting

great training wherever he attends. To add greater com-

to help their

munication flow and consistency, I will be attending the

church move

four major zoned clusters every month throughout the co-

forward

but

ming year. We are both completely open to fielding any

sure

questions or concerns you may have regarding GHC (or get

are

GHC CLUSTERS

dates on pg 1

aren’t how.

I know

you the answer fast).

a lot of pastors who feel pretty stressed out and alone. I know a lot of

At the same time, we will continue offering a cluster in

pastors who really want to support other pastors in their

Carson City, NV for our pastors on the eastern side of the

ministries – to share their insights and offer friendship.

Sierra, led by Bill McCready. Dr. Curtis Mitchell will conti-

A lot of these pastors I’m describing just can’t find time

nue leading his longstanding group at his church (Antioch

to attend a cluster once a month where they will gain in-

Progressive) in South Sacramento. Ed Kemp and Tom Cul-

sights into their leadership from peers and leadership ma-

len will continue supporting our cluster ministry as we

terial, where they will discover they are not alone – and

navigate through the next year as well. If you are beyond

that other pastors understand pastors more than anyone

a reasonable driving distance of any of the clusters provi-

else, and they will enjoy the reward of supporting others

ded, we will send someone your way to offer you support.

by sharing life together there.

We want you to know that you are not alone!

My friends, are you sabotaging yourself and your ministry

Finally, since I will be able to hear from many of you at

by not building a cluster into your life?

each of the larger area clusters, I will be able to share best practices nearly region-wide with you, as well as get criti-

Pastoring is an incredibly complex and challenging privi-

cal feedback to GHC when necessary about your church or

lege. Trying to pastor through any stage of church life wi-

other critical concerns.

thout support is an invitation for slower progress, higher So, which cluster will you be attending in November? pg 1

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MINISTRY UPDATES

GILBERT FOSTER Director of Recruitment

Churches we worked with specifically in 2014: We have worked extensively with FBC Tulare, CA including a church assessment; congregational, staff and board coaching; Sunday pulpit preaching; and the recruitment of a new Senior Pastor ready to begin January 1, 2015. The church leadership and congregation overwhelming endorsed the development and changes GHC suggested and their leaders and staff worked hard to implement significant changes to ensure the arrival of their new Senior Pastor sees the church poised for growth and effective ministry. Santa Clara FBC, Santa Clara, CA had extensive coaching and consultation over the past year leading to an effective handover of pastoral leadership in the coming months. The Search Team was well-trained and is active in deciding which quality GHC candidate they should pursue for a 2015 start. The coaching is

GHC Recruitment A philosophical shift took place in 2014. We moved from being Search Consultants to being Recruitment Consultants. Just semantics? No, this was a deliberate shift of emphasis.

GHC is actively recruiting Senior/Sole Pastor prospects even before churches become available for them to be candidates.

GHC is actively recruiting Senior/Sole Pastor prospects even before churches become available for them to be candidates. We are recruiting pastors who from the outset

ongoing not only until the new Senior Pastor arrives but to help

buy-in to the vision and mission of GHC. Those pastors are

that new leader settle into a new church.

then known by GHC consultants and can be recommended to a church seeking a new Senior/Sole Pastor.

The Journey, Sonora, CA is working with a skilled GHC Transitioning Pastor after the retiring of their Senior Pastor. With

We believe there are some key strengths and characteris-

patience and expertise gained from years of local church expe-

tics a Pastor should have to lead a missionally focused GHC

rience our GHC Transitioning Pastor and supporting Regional

church. We are trying to stay ahead of the curve and be

Consultants bring invaluable help to the church’s leadership as

active in recruiting pastors who share GHC’s vision and

they navigate the pathway forward to a new era of ministry and

future.

mission.

In recruiting potential GHC Pastors we now have in place

FBC Fort Bragg , CA although a smaller congregation they are re-

a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that guides the

ceiving the same level of GHC support as a larger congregation.

relationship between the potential new pastor, the church

With the help of GHC staff – Executive Director, Regional Con-

he/she is recruited to and GHC. This MOU helps all three

sultant and Recruiting Consultant - a way forward was designed

parties remain focused on mission and vision in the rec-

and the church has called a new Senior Pastor to lead them in a

ruitment process.

new outward focused vision.

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MINISTRY UPDATES

PAM BREEN Administrator

How do I know what labor posters we need to have in

our employee room? •

Does my pastor get paid as a contractor or as an

employee using a W-2? •

Our church wants to license our youth minister. Can

we do that? •

How do I send in our mission dollars?

Can we give mission dollars to a specific missionary?

Our associate pastor would like to be ordained. Can

you tell me what we need to do? •

We keep getting notices about our Statement of

Information from the State of California. I think we come

Greetings from the GHC Resource Center

under GHC for this, right?

Our staff has been so privileged to talk with and give

assistance to so many of our churches, church staff and

Can you tell me what I need to do?

I want to register for the upcoming Leader’s Retreat.

lay people this past year. It has been a year of transition, a year of moving forward in new and exciting ways and

Can you help me find ... general contact information

time to sharpen our skills to best serve our churches this

for churches/people, other Regions or our National office?

coming year. • Here is just a glimpse of some of the

Am I covered under GHC‘s 501(c)(3) Group Tax Exemption?

Housing Allowance?

regular questions we receive from churches. We are grateful to be able to pro-

vide answers and assistance in walking

We want to do a fundraiser to provide scholarships

for camp for our kids? Is that something we can do?

through a variety of situations. • •

Can I get a copy of GHC’s covenant of

Are we covered under Growing Healthy Churches

501(c)(3)?

relationship & bylaws? •

How do we complete a W-2 if our pastor has a

We just changed the name of our church. How do I go

We keep getting these notices from IRS and we do not

understand what they want. Can you help us?

about making it official with the state? There are a variety of corporate filings changes we get calls on regularly.

We want to rent a room in our church to this organi-

zation. Can we do that without causing us problems? •

My pastor wants to sign up for a Housing Allowance.

Can he do that?

Thank you again for letting us work with you! And know that we are praying for you and your ministry.

I received this call about a great price on toner for our

copier. Have you heard of this company before?

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MINISTRY UPDATES

PAUL BORDEN

Director of Kingdom Networks

I am continually amazed at the influence GHC has across

In several denominations I have been working with for a

our nation and in other parts of the world. Yet, this should

number of years, we are seeing the kind of turn around

not be a surprise because God is still blessing congregations, pastors and church planters who continually focus on the Great Commission.

As the Di-

rector of Kingdom Networks I get to see how God is using the work of Dr. Tim

GHC is helping to change the lives of pastors across

that started in GHC in 1997.

As pas-

tors attend clusters, congregations are consulted with and coaching is imple-

our nation and in other

mented, several judicatories are see-

parts of the world.

ing extensive growth in conversions, leadership development and healthy

Brown, the GHC Staff and the commitment of leaders and

congregations. These different groups realize the work

congregations to influence Christians in other parts of our

of transformation is hard, but well worth the effort since

God’s vast kingdom.

lives and congregations are being transformed.

In the last year I have worked with over a dozen different denominational groups, three mega-churches, and four seminaries. In a variety of settings I interact with leaders about leading congregational change and the development of pastors as missional change agents. I continue to conduct congregational consultations with churches of

The work of transformation is hard, but well worth the effort.

all sizes and I’m training others to continue this ministry of consulting on their own. One major result is that the things God has been teaching us in GHC for almost two de-

GHC is growing as a network. Its influence is continuing to

cades are being communicated and implemented in con-

expand. I am grateful for God’s continued blessing of the

gregations, judicatories and the lives of pastors across our

ministry of GHC. God is using the leadership of Dr. Tim

nation and in other parts of the world. Another result is

Brown, his staff and the GHC Board to provide Kingdom

that a number of our pastors are seeing their influence in

results that will only be known once we are in eternity

the Kingdom increase as they coach, mentor, consult and

with our Savior. It is a pleasure to serve GHC and see God

network with pastors and congregations in other denomi-

use our efforts to expand the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.

nations and locations.

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FINANCIAL REPORT

19

And w And An wh hatte ev ver you do, o, whe hetth her er in w wo orrd d or de deed ed, do do it a alll in n th he e nam ame of the Lo orrd Je Jesu suss,, giiv su vin ing ng th than a ks ks to G Go od th the he Fa Father Fath th he err th hrro ou u ugh g him gh m. ~ Co ollo los ossi sian ns 3::17 17


FINANCIAL REPORT

CARYN RYAN

Founder & Managing Member Missionwell LLC GHC welcomes ministry partner Missionwell LLC and Founder Caryn Ryan to the GHC team. Missionwell serves many Christian ministries and churches, and their focus is efficient practices that will help GHC save money while helping us strategize on how we can continue to grow our influence by planting more churches while serving our existing churches better. Caryn Ryan brings over 30 years of for-profit and non-profit financial and strategic leadership experience to GHC.

Growing Healthy Churches Annual Financial Report Trends in Net Income (Loss) are shown below.

Operating revenues less expenses have been fairly stable since 2011. The 2014 column shows the net loss through August. In recent years, a portion of the loss has been due to intentional spending in church plants. We anticipate that 2014 losses will be on the lower side versus recent years as GHC’s leadership team works on strategies to both deliver excellent services and yet keep costs down.

le from year to year. The main components of the variability are gains and losses on the sale of property and gains and losses on GHC’s “savings account”. They can’t be controlled in the short term and so we separate those out. In 2012, a gain from the sale of a property positively affected non-operating items by $255,000. In 2014, a gain on the sale of the Oakdale church property added $224K.

The non-operating items are quite variab-

20


FINANCIAL REPORT

MISION GIVING

SPENDING

GHC churches covenant to provide GHC with 2-10 percent

Below is a chart showing how resources are spent by mi-

of its budget, as mission dollars. As with most churches

nistry area. It is using 2014 through August as a basis.

and denominations, giving to churches was negatively af-

Church planting receives the largest share of resources

fected due to the recession starting in 2008 and onward

at 30% (or 30 cents per dollar spent), followed by Trans-

giving to GHC has likewise been affected.

formation churches at 26% (or 26 cents per dollar spent).

Giving by new church plants has offset a

Church planting includes activities of identifying church

portion of this decline. The 2014 estimate

planters, assessing their gifts for church planting, sup-

shown is predicting not only stabilization

porting church planters through events and, at times,

but a small turnaround of the trend from

investments in their new church ministries. Transforma-

Thank you to so many of the GHC churches who give

the last few years.

so generously. Thank you to so many of the GHC churches who give so generously. With your mission giving, you are growing God’s kingdom through church planting and strengthening pastors throughout the GHC church network.

21


FINANCIAL REPORT

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7

tion church activities include cluster groups for pastors to

achieve this, GHC has initiated focused efforts to better

network with other pastors, mentoring and coaching by

share the vision and impact GHC has to improve giving,

pastors for pastors, and conferences for pastors and church leaders. Over-

and to make operations more efficient.

It is a pleasure for

head includes leadership and office

Missionwell to be

*****

staff, professional fees and property/

Growing Healthy Church’s

It is a pleasure for Missionwell to be

facility expenses which are 35% through

new partner in mission.

Growing Healthy Church’s new part-

August 2014.

ner in mission.

Missionwell sup-

ports churches and associations of churches with a wide variety of financial and human resource services.

INVESTMENTS

GHC

has

a

wonderful

mission

to

support

church

GHC’s investments, or its savings account, are shown on the chart above. The spike in 2012 relates to the sale of the Redwood Glen property, proceeds of which beyond immediate needs were placed into the savings account. While a small portion represents permanently restricted funds, most of the funds are available to support the ministry as

Support the Mission of GHC! Scan the QR Code on the right to Give Now.

needed. As can be seen, every year GHC needs funding from investments to pay for its ministries. replication and ensure churches are healthy and growing. As time goes on, the goal is to fund ministry only from a

We hope the Lord favors this mission today and in the

sustainable portion of the income from investments. To

years to come.

22


Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. ~ Ephesians 4:3

2420 Camino Ramon, Ste 140 San Ramon, CA 94583 (888) 290-2229 (925) 277-3985 fax info@growinghealthychurches.org GrowingHealthyChurches.org

Growing Healthy Churches by networking, resourcing and encouraging church leaders, congregations, and denominations in the areas of growth, health, transformation and church planting.


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