Telling the Story

 Dear St. Mark Member,

It is time for us to reevaluate how we talk about our budget. If you have ever been to an annual meeting, you know how the conversation typically goes. We look at lines with labels like “Outreach” or “Christian Education” which are fairly self-explanatory and always overshadowed by lines like “Property." Someone always stands up and asks what “Stewardship & Finance” means. While these categories are necessary for our leadership, they don’t exactly paint a picture of how much we actually value the primary ministries of St. Mark.

Take Outreach for example. Our congregation operates school uniform co-ops at four elementary schools on the west side of the city. We are able to provide regular meals to places like Rock House Kids and Carpenter’s Place. We give directly to local agencies and charities through both the budget and our endowment. The Sew & Sews meet twice a month to make blankets, quilts, and medical port pillows for people in need. We host four support groups, two bridge clubs, a Mosaic Hub, and other outside organizations. Recently, we began providing pre-packaged foods and other essential items in the St. Market cabinet by the kitchen entrance. I would even include our weekly coffee and donut hospitality as a form of outreach.

While much of what we do relies on volunteers, everything also relies on our pastors, staff, and property. The parking lot is plowed in winter to provide space for outside groups and volunteers who rely on a heated and well-lit building. All those behind-the-scenes expenses exist to support the ministries of our congregation. In fact, for every dollar we spent this year, 26 cents went to ministries that care for our community and welcome our neighbors.

Another 24 cents per dollar went to our ministries of Faith Formation. Mainstays like Sunday School and Vacation Bible School are strengthened by regular family fellowship events. Adult Forum on Sundays, as well as the Wednesday morning bible studies, provide learning opportunities for adults. And, we are excited to be partnering with Grace Lutheran in Loves Park for our new shared youth ministry. Growing in faith is a life-long process, and we are blessed to be able to provide opportunities for faithful people of every age.

We are also blessed to have such vibrant and varied worship. New members often cite our music ministry and choirs as a main factor in their decision to join our congregation. Life-long members can be seen lingering in their seats after worship to enjoy the full breadth of the postlude. Our praise band diligently leads worship every week, both inside and on the lawn. With two services every Sunday, evening prayer in Lent, and worship on major holidays, it’s no surprise that the largest ministry at St. Mark is Worship. It accounts for 33% of our budget because it’s what we do. Worship is where our community gathers to grow in faith together, as the love of Jesus unites us into the Body of Christ.

What I have been describing is not simply an overview of our congregation, but a narrative budget. When you donate to St. Mark, this is what you support. When we talk about our expenses, we are talking about ministry. An increase in giving allows us to do even more. Almost all of our budget can be attributed to those three areas of Outreach, Faith Formation, and Worship. The remaining 17% covers our mortgage, insurance, and other administrative costs.

Our staff and council are beginning to prepare the ministry budget for 2024, and you are a vital part of the process. On Sunday, October 22nd, everyone will have the opportunity to make a commitment for giving in 2024. It can be an act of worship to declare how much we will give toward the ministries of this unique and wonderful community of faith. If you are able, I would invite you to consider increasing your pledge for the coming year. Whatever amount you decide to give, though, I wholeheartedly thank you for supporting all the wonderful ministries that we share.

Peace,
Pastor Chad McKenna