It is that time of year to consider North Side’s operating budget for the coming year. As we conclude fiscal year 2010, it will, as was 2009, be remembered as a financially challenging year that the Lord has brought us through in a remarkable way. In the midst of a national recession, He has continued to bless North Side.

We will conclude FY2010 about 1 to 1.5% below budget in contributions. However, contributions are running above the previous year levels. Additionally, expenses will come in around 98% of the budget.  Our Staff, Elders and Finance Committee continue to follow the conservative spending plan adopted last year and will continue under this plan until our economy recovers.

As a result, the recommended budget for FY2011 will remain the same at $2,194,010.00 as it was for FY2010.  A few brief comments:

• We will continue to reduce administrative expenses to fund ministry and missions.
• Debt retirement contribution to our loan payment will increase by approximately $8,000 per month beginning in December.
• Contribution to the Cooperative Program will continue at 10% (a tithe) of undesignated contributions.
• We continue to watch ministry related expenses and have made some reductions in the budget accordingly.
• Children’s Ministry expenses dropped significantly as we moved Nursery Workers expense to Personnel category.
• Personnel budget based on not filling three part time positions, salary adjustments and incorporating nursery workers and estimating an increase in health care costs.

Our Elders and Finance Committee members will be available for questions on Sunday, September 12^th from 4:30PM to 5:30PM in the Green Room. We will have a congregational vote of affirmation on Sunday, September 26^th in all three adult services.

Thank you for continuing to support the work the Lord is doing through North Side.

Your Elders:  Jeff Lethco, Mike Turner, Eric Bryant, Jerry Rentz, Jason Allen, Ken Petrus, Martin Ridgeway, Jamie Parler, Travis Agnew, Bill Horvath, Scott Davis, Mike Dawkins, Michael George, John McFadden

Finance Committee:  George West, Bryan McCall, Brian Whitaker, Wayne Behrendt

As I was performing the physical labor, I also used the opportunity to look up to the Lord. I have been seeking some answers from God and used this time of physical activity to be a time of prayer…a conversation with God…seeking His leadership and giving me discernment on a couple of real big issues. It amazes me how our Lord works…when we cry out to Him…He responds to us.

As I completed my weekend project Sunday evening, I had an incredible peace about the issues that I had been so concerned with over the past couple of weeks. I knew exactly how I was going to respond to the issues at hand. What is so amazing was that the answers to my struggles came to me in a couple of different ways. First through a conversation with a coworker, friend and confidant. Second, through the Holy Spirit reminding me of the faithfulness and blessings of the Lord in my life and the life of our church.

You see, I realized that my focus was downward…on myself as I was trying to work through some problems. The truth is we must look up. Jesus, himself said…

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matt 11:28-30 (NKJV)

How about you? Are you looking up?

Ricky was here in the coffee shop at 5:00 am this morning…he is making coffee for our Men’s Fraternity group. Rick has a tremendous servant’s heart. He oversees pretty much all aspects of our facilities from scheduling events, to maintenance, to care, to set up and take down. Take some time in the near future and notice how neat and orderly things are around here at North Side…notice how clean things are as well. Ricky has been on staff here at North Side for nearly 15 years. When you see Ricky thank him for the work that he does for our church.

Ricky’s side job is taking care of our senior adults…you can always find him helping someone out in one way or another.

Ricky is the guy to contact for any events here at North Side.

We begin our budgeting process here at North Side Baptist Church by developing our “Planning Calendar”. Here is a snapshot of our calendar for next year. Yes, it is drawn on a whiteboard.

We look at the entire year as a whole and plan major activities. The process begins with our Leadership Team and then expands to the Ministry Leaders. This planning calendar process helps us in the following areas:

• Evaluate current programs
• Discuss new opportunities for ministry
• Coordinate Events
• Schedule facilities usage
• Strengthen current ministries
• Identify needs
• Set priorities
• Identify financial resource needs
• Identify personnel needs

The Planning Calendar is a “work in progress” throughout the budgeting process. We transfer this information to an Excel spreadsheet for our entire staff to use in the coming year. It is a snapshot of the year  and keeps us all on the same page.