$769,196 is needed to meet the 2021 budget.
Last Sunday was a microcosm of the things going right at South Main. The Sanctuary was at its Christmas best with the four Advent banners adorning the choir loft. Granted, they are a little more difficult to see when obscured by a choir of seventy voices. The music was glorious; the fruit of weeks of rehearsal and decades of training musicians? some of this training having begun while they are still toddlers. Seven people made public decisions to unite their lives with our family of grace, bringing the number of people who have made such decisions in this pandemic year to fifty-six. (That is amazing!)
And there are more great things to come in 2022. As of today, we have 113 children registered to go on MLK weekend trips. Matt Walton has engaged a cohort of seasoned and novice teachers in a training program with goal of doubling the number of well qualified Sunday School teachers over the next 4-5 years. In January, we begin a search for the next minister to lead our incredible music ministry—and I have faith that God is even now preparing a new leader to join us who will build on the solid foundation Carey Cannon laid.
In order to move into this bright future on healthy footing, we need to finish this year by fully subscribing our 2021 budget. To do that, we need to give $769,197 between now and the close of books on December 31. That is more than we gave in the same time period last year, but well within our capability if each of us gives.
May I be direct? Some in our number have had a difficult year financially, and some in that number have given sacrificially. If you are struggling financially and need help, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or Greg Funderburk. At the same time, many of us have been either unaffected or have had reduced expenses because of the pandemic and perhaps have done better than we hoped this year financially. If you are in those latter categories, I challenge you to give, from this place of abundance, a sacrificial over-and-above-your-tithe gift to God through South Main. Missy and I did that this week.
While we are on track to give an incredibly generous amount for God's work in the world, currently this track will cause us to miss giving the full budget. Won't you join me in shifting the track we are on so we can complete the work we set out to do this year?
grace and truth,
Steve
