Report on MBA Church Brunch & Business Meeting
January 07, 2003

Hello MBA Church Family,

We missed you at the first annual MBA Church Brunch! This event was designed to bring our church family together as we begin the new year with a new vision and direction. We had a great brunch, wonderful praise time with our worship team, prayer sessions, a devotional by Sam on the twelve spies Moses sent into the promised land, and presentations about the budget.

Below is a brief report of what was shared in the business meeting. It is difficult to condense our meeting into a short report, so you will probably have some questions. Please contact one of the following to discuss your questions: Dave Kaplan <biggfoot@pacbell.net>, Sam Kaligithi <samwena@earthlink.net>, Marilyn Eggers <meggers@sbcglobal.net>, or any other church board member.

Peace and blessings,
The MBA Church Board

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Content:
1. Background
2. Budget Explanation
3. Ministries: Vision
4. How It Works
5. Systematic Giving
6. Conclusion

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1. Background

The MBA Church Board has been busy praying, visioning, and planning for 2003. Part of the vision is for the church to have many active ministries that will address the needs of the the whole person, the whole life, from our youngest members to the oldest. The vision extends out to our nearest community neighbors and to those in our regional area.

A finance committee was set up in the fall to work on a 2003 budget. As they worked to cover all of the regular church expenses and VHM subsidy, they realized that the vision was not reflected in the budget. However, by rearranging, combining, and adding new line items, they finally got the budget to reflect the new vision. The board not only accepted it, but expanded the budget.

2. Budget Explanation

Please look at the attached budget (a Word file). Lines 1 to 9 include the church operation expenses and VHM subsidy. Line 4 is a consolidation of several lines for church employees and their related expenses. Line 9 - Bus Operation, is in the red, but we have been paying this down at $400 per month, and hopefully we will be back in the black in about four months.

Lines 10 to 20 include the new ministries budgets, and Line 20 - Church Ministries: Development Fund - reflects the balance of a $20,000 gift several years ago for leadership training. The board voted to make this an active fund now for the continued leadership training of the church.

Lines 22 to 30 are self-supporting funds that are not included in the regular church budget. You can contribute to these special funds at any time by marking them on a tithe envelope.

3. Ministries: Vision

The church board desired to empower the church for active ministry: servant evangelism, servant leadership, love in action. Therefore, it has empowered the various Sabbath Schools to become regular ministries for the members and to help the members reach out to others in creative ministry. This means that each Sabbath School ministry, along with the Pastoral Ministry, Worship Ministry, Small Group Ministry, and Church Ministries: Development now have regular budgets to work with. Each ministry group can now prayerfully ask God to help them find their own mission.

4. How It Works

Each ministry budget started out the year with $100 added to its account, except for Youth Ministries: and Junior/Teen Ministries: who received $200 each. Every month a regular amount will be deposited in each ministry account (see the budget for specifics). These funds are to be used for active service to God rather than hoarded. Remember the parable of the talents!

5. Systematic Giving

If all full-time working members of the church would give an average of $55 each to the church budget per month, the budget will work. Some members already give more than this, which is wonderful! They can help cover for those who cannot give that much. We encourage each person to pray personally and also with their families to determine what their commitment will be to the church and its budget this year.

1 Corinthians 16:1-2 - Systematic giving

Luke 6:38 - Side benefit of giving to God

Romans 15:5-7 - Our goal - Spirit of unity

6. Conclusion

We believe that the Holy Spirit is leading in many marvelous ways. No doubt He has some great surprises for us as we seek to follow His leading! We hope and pray that you will choose to be part of this new direction for our church. May God give you endurance and encouragement along with abundant blessings throughout 2003.

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