David's Harp
You’re Number 1! Congratulations Southeast District! You are NUMBER 1 in the Missouri Conference for the percentage of apportionment payments in 2009!! The churches in our district paid 96.6% of their conference apportionments!!! The total amount paid for the district was $1,163,230. Eighty-four churches paid 100%; ten churches paid less than 100% (four paid more than 70%, two paid more than 50%, four paid less than thirty percent). Every church contributed to the apportionment total. We were $41,366.00 short of paying 100%.
If the eighty-four churches that paid in full had each contributed an additional $500.00-- paid their apportionments at more than 100% -- our district would have paid 100%. This figure is only an average. Perhaps it could be better said that if the eighty-four churches had contributed 3.5% above the amount they paid we would have reached 100%.
I wonder what would happen if each church set a goal of paying 5% more than they were apportioned in 2010? What ministries would be supported? What lives would be changed for Jesus Christ? I believe that the only way our district or conference will reach the 100% level of apportionment payments will come when those with resources are willing to give more than what is apportioned.
There will always be a few churches who will find it challenging to pay apportionments. It may have to do with dealing with a building debt, the economy in a particular area, the costs of providing a building for ministry, declining membership and giving. And I realize that there will always be a place or two where the congregation shares its displeasure with the pastoral leadership by not paying apportionments. I do believe however that there are better ways of handling these situations. more…click here.
In Christ ,
David Norbury
Southeast District Superintendent
