The following is taken from my transcript from our congregational meeting last Sunday, November 17…
But let me begin by turning to 2 Timothy. In the letter of 2 Timothy the apostle says the following to his apprentice:
And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. 2 Timothy 2:2
To the discerning listener, or any MTS apprentices here today, that is the memory verse of MTS Australia and it signals a gospel baton change from one person to another. That desire is bound into the role of the Next Generation Pastor. Now it certainly doesn’t mean Merhawi would be hands-on and present with every child and youth at SCPC – that would be impossible! But, critical to the role, is to be a transformational leader, investing in some key leaders in the kids and youth team, and thereby enlisting beautiful gospel partners. If we cannot approve the renumeration package today for the NG role there is a genuine risk that we break the gospel baton change. Personally, I don’t think this is the moment to jeopardize this, or even deny an opportunity to reboot our preschool ministry, when we have a godly couple (with pre-schoolers of their own) open and available to serve with us enthusiastically at SCPC.
However, it would be unwise, or even deceptive, to not alert you to the other risks before us. If our extended church family at SCPC choose to endorse both motions before us with the NG role and the seed funding for MTS in Zimbabwe, we would say ‘yes’ to a $122K deficit and that sounds risky too.
So, what are we to do? As I presented last week, do we begin to lay off members of our staff teams? There really are unforeseen risks associated with that. My feeling (as one of the leaders of our extended church family) is that the smallest risk before us is to confront the financial challenge. There is a saying I googled during the week which is apparently associated with Francis of Assisi (I kid you not) or Desmond Tutu saying “How do you eat an Elephant?” The answer – one bite at a time! And Google explains this pretty bizarre saying by suggesting its meaning is that any task, no matter how challenging, can be tackled bit by bit.
Now, since the CoM budget meeting on Wednesday November 6 I have been looking that number ($122,000). I know some people when they are struggling to sleep count sheep. I found, instead, that I count that number… At first I groan and think how am I going to eat that? And I think about how much I have in my ING barefoot investors accounts. But, I am taking my family’s personal capacity and trying to engage that number. So, instead, over the last week and a half I have been trying to train my mind to see this number from the collective members that make up SCPC.
Our database software notes that we have 168 adult members and 57 adult adherents. But if we counted only the members and divided 122K by 168 members by 52 weeks, how much extra each week would you imagine our members could give to eliminate the entire deficit in 2025? The actual amount is $14 a week extra to what members are currently giving. Yes, a number of our members are married, so that would be an additional $28 a week per couple.
Is that risky? For some people, yes it would be! For others it wouldn’t. And for others they may be positioned to extend more. But let me say that this rough (and basic) calculation certainly gave me a better perspective and allowed me to sleep over the last fortnight. My interest in doing that little maths exercise was a living example of the saying “How do you eat an Elephant?” Today my wife and I have adjusted our giving and increased it by $28 a week. Gospel ministry is risky business.
I listened to a podcast with Professor Donald Guthrie from Trinity Evangelical College in Chicago late last year and he said that full time gospel ministry is actually bad for your health. But I believe being a gospel baton changer to the next generation is simply out of this world!
I read of an American believer who had a successful business career and was moving towards the final stage of their life. When questioned about passing the gospel on they said they’d give every award in this office to see that take place. (Personally when I hear that I think of Harvey Spector’s office in the show Suits. So visually, an office with sports memorabilia and all sorts of business awards lining the walls.)
Friends, there are risks associated with however we vote today aren’t there? As the chairperson I am not entitled to vote (only if there is a tie can I present a casting vote) so the decision is really ‘out of my hands’…
As you may know, both motions were approved at the meeting so come along this Sunday, November 24 to hear more!
