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Finance Board
Approves Decreased Budget
21 June 2010—On
June 6, the World Church Finance Board approved a $23.45 million budget for
fiscal year 2011, which is $1.28 million less than last year’s budget. This
decrease was necessary because of the depressed global economy. It has caused
the anticipated development of the church’s real estate assets to be delayed
significantly and securities portfolio returns to fall considerably.This budget decrease was achieved
without staff reductions. However, unless the decades-long decline in World
Ministries Mission Tithes is reversed, anticipated budget decreases in the
future will require minister and staff reductions, as well as decreases in
educational and missionary resources.
Despite the critical situation,
President Stephen M. Veazey expressed hope. “Hope is our business and the
foundation of our faith!” He invited the finance board members and the church to
help reverse the tithing trends.
1.)
Do what you can to increase your World Ministries Mission Tithes on a
weekly or monthly basis.
2.)
Be a positive spokesperson for the church’s worldwide ministries and the
importance of supporting those ministries through tithing.
3.)
Be proactive in your witness, public teachings, and preaching by
encouraging disciples to generously share their witness and resources in support
of worldwide ministries that are making a real difference in peoples’ lives.
4.)
Recruit and mentor World Church givers of all ages in your families,
congregations, and mission centers to support God’s mission through giving to
World Church ministries.
President Veazey also spoke of
some correspondence and messages he is receiving that say some people are
withholding their tithing in protest of Section 164. He made it clear that
bringing to the church his “clearest perceptions of the mind and will of God”
will continue. “A nonnegotiable for me is that I will not compromise vision,
message, and the Spirit’s clear guidance in the face of threats from individuals
that they will withdraw their financial support if they do not agree with church
direction or certain decisions.“Another nonnegotiable for me is
priesthood support of World Ministries Mission Tithes. Soon, we will put in
place an administrative policy that will state clearly that we will not approve
the ordinations of people whose understanding of the gospel and ordained
ministry does not include awareness and support of the worldwide ministries of
the church through tithing. We’ve had way too much drift in local congregations
and mission centers in this matter.”
He balanced his concern for the
future with the hope he has received the last few weeks in communication from
people. One was a woman, a nonmember and observer at World Conference, who had a
Pentecostal moment during a business session. She was baptized June 6, the day
the finance board approved the budget. The other was a young man who had been on
the brink of taking his own life. After learning of Section 164, he felt such
hope that he was baptized June 13.
“Community of Christ saves
lives!” President Veazey said. “Community of Christ saves lives physically,
relationally, and spiritually! Our ministry is essential! We need to share that
vision and message more broadly with greater passion! It is all about ministry
given and received.”
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The
Next News Will Be Good