Oct 25 - Monthly Message

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

 

This month we need to write to you about financing the vision that we believe God is calling us into as a church to be a community that is Devoted to Jesus, Formed by Jesus and Sent By Jesus to be a Beacon of God’s Hope for Blandford and Beyond.

Firstly, thank you to everyone that gives financially to the life of the church. It is recognised and appreciated. 

 

We’ve come a long way in the last 4 years as a church and God has done some amazing things. The church has doubled in size and people are coming to faith.

 

We believe we’re called into an exciting vision of growth and kingdom impact for Blandford and Beyond, to which many of us responded to with enthusiasm at the APCM in May.

 

The challenge we need to overcome in order to step into this new season is getting the church finances on a sustainable footing, ensuring we have enough income to meet expenditure necessary for the mission and ministry of the church. We’ve grown as a church, and giving has increased also. But costs have increased significantly outstripping the increase in income and we face a sizeable deficit of £35k this year.

 

If we don’t tackle this now we’ll be forced to continually eat into funds set aside for re-ordering the church.

We are mindful of the need to be good stewards of the finances we’ve been given, and try to spend only as necessary to fulfil the ministry needs of the church.

 

The practice of generous sacrificial giving is primarily a spiritual discipline, and indicates the depth of our love for Jesus, our maturity of discipleship and the level of buy-in to the vision of the church. Sacrificial giving is also joyful for those that do it - it’s a practice that is done wholeheartedly.

 

All we’ve received is from God to be used for His purposes and plans - and tithing (giving 10% back to God) is a biblical principle that we’re very strongly encouraged to adopt.

 

We (the western church) have never been richer and yet less generous. If everyone tithed, then we would have no issue with financing church. Currently 50% of income is given by 8 households in the church.

 

We are called to be a blessing to the surrounding community not a burden on it. The responsibility for funding mission and ministry is down to the membership of the church. 

 

We need to plug the £35k deficit in the 2025 accounts. We also need to raise regular monthly giving by at least £3.5k (and ideally by £5.5k)

 

The finances of the church are everyone’s responsibility, not just the wealthiest. We’re not asking anyone to do something we’re not doing ourselves.

 

This October we’re asking every person who considers themselves a member of BFPC to:

1 Pray and Fast for a day a week - asking that the Lord would provide what we need.

2 Remember God has provided for us financially already - when we had a shortfall with the building project.

3.⁠ ⁠Reflect - where is my faith - in God or my bank balance? Does my giving reflect my love for Jesus and commitment to church?

4.⁠ ⁠Be Inspired - listen back to the vision talks.

5.⁠ ⁠Respond as God leads/you feel burdened by filling out the response form.

 

Together, with everyone playing their part, we can do this, and God is more than able to provide. As we commit to seeing this happen, let’s see what the Lord does in our midst!

 

Many Thanks

 

Chris, Heidi, Stuart and Philip

Lead Minister, Church Wardens and Treasurer