Dear HRAC Family,
As we work our way towards the end of the year, I, along with our governing authority and staff, desire to provide you with a clear and brief financial update. First and foremost, we want to express our appreciation for the way that so many of you have been financially faithful this last year. HRAC has a history of being particularly generous when specific and tangible needs arise, and we are deeply grateful for your generosity.
Along the same lines, we want to share with you where we’re at financially. Overall, our giving has been down about 25% (approximately $130,866) for the year from what was budgeted. The upside is that expenses are also down (approximately $141,535), which leaves us with a net gain of $10,649. However, it is important to note that we received two one-time donations totaling $35,000 in hopes of building momentum to staff a Youth Pastor (a Youth Pastor Search Team is currently meeting). Without these generous donations we would have a net loss of approximately $25,000. And while we have not needed to draw on our savings, one ramification of the giving being down is that there has been reduced funding (and spending) for our ministries.
HRAC has a history of being particularly generous when specific and tangible needs arise, and we are deeply grateful for your generosity.
We realize that this season of mounting inflation is challenging for many households. We all have all been feeling the impact. In times like these it can be difficult to “seek first the Kingdom of God” (Mat 6:33) and “not worry about tomorrow” (Mat. 6:34). Many of us are seeking to reaffirm (or learn) how to both faithfully steward the resources God has given us while trusting God to continue to provide, even when it just does not seem like there’s enough to go around.
To this end, we ask that you join our governing board and staff in praying for the following:
That the Lord would provide for those who are struggling financially—both in our church as well as in the larger community.
That the Lord would give all of us, especially the church leaders, the ongoing wisdom and discernment that we need to manage the Lord's resources well.
That the Lord would help all of us to trust Him and not be anxious about tomorrow.
That, as a congregation, we would increase our giving so that we would continue to meet our expenses, especially in the light of beginning to search for a permanent Lead Pastor (early next year).
That you would seek the Lord regarding your giving as we close out 2022.
As a longtime intentional interim pastor, I am aware that some people/families will withhold their giving during a transition season to determine if the finances will be used wisely. Others simply need to catch-up on their giving. As I write this, it is evident that, as a congregation, we are regaining clarity and a fresh season of momentum. I am confident that as we prayerfully seek the Lord and respond with humble faith and faithfulness to God’s leading in this area, He will provide all that we need to do what He has called us to do.
With humility and gratitude in Jesus,
Pastor Gregg and the HRAC Governing Authority and Staff