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Re: Frugality is a tough sell
An update:
We were there until 10:00 pm last night, but we got it done!
The first thing we did was change the health plan that the pastor and his wife have. Right now they have no deductibles, only copays. This insurance was costing the church $24,000 a year!
We went with the same insurance, just a more basic plan that cut the cost down to $17,000 a year. No worries about pre-existing conditions or anything since it's the same insurance, just a different level.
Next we totally eliminated the benevolent fund. We figured if there is a need we'll either take up a special offering or put out a basket once a month that people can give if they feel led.
Next to be axed was the money spent on bulletins. Nice to have pretty papers to hand out each week, but unnecessary. Money for church socials is gone. Building and grounds money was slashed, etc.
It's a bare bones budget, but what are you going to do? It's either slash any unncessary expenses until more familes are added to the church and there's more income or close the doors.
To clarify: it's not that people are not giving. So many have left the church in the past 5 years that the income has dropped significantly. The issues of why people have left are also being addressed.
An update:
We were there until 10:00 pm last night, but we got it done!
The first thing we did was change the health plan that the pastor and his wife have. Right now they have no deductibles, only copays. This insurance was costing the church $24,000 a year!
We went with the same insurance, just a more basic plan that cut the cost down to $17,000 a year. No worries about pre-existing conditions or anything since it's the same insurance, just a different level.Next we totally eliminated the benevolent fund. We figured if there is a need we'll either take up a special offering or put out a basket once a month that people can give if they feel led.
Next to be axed was the money spent on bulletins. Nice to have pretty papers to hand out each week, but unnecessary. Money for church socials is gone. Building and grounds money was slashed, etc.
It's a bare bones budget, but what are you going to do? It's either slash any unncessary expenses until more familes are added to the church and there's more income or close the doors.
To clarify: it's not that people are not giving. So many have left the church in the past 5 years that the income has dropped significantly. The issues of why people have left are also being addressed.
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