Spring is in the air.  That means it’s time for the annual meeting.

            I’ve enjoyed watching the budget come together.  A lot of people worked very hard to imagine our needs in the coming year.  I sat in on several team and committee meetings where folks discussed their goals and communicated their plans with the Treasurer.  Over several weeks, the Treasurer crafted a draft budget that the Finance Committee and the Board reviewed in a 4-hour meeting one evening.  A revised draft was presented to the congregation at a budget hearing after worship one Sunday.  The input from the congregation prompted yet another draft, and, in this case, the Board referred a particular question back to the Personnel Committee to resolve.  The whole process included dozens of people working for a solid two months to prepare a budget ready for presentation and adoption by the congregation.

            What should you consider when you review the budget on May 6?

            You’ll want to know the bottom line, of course, whether our income covers our expenses, or if we have a deficit.  But a balanced budget is not the primary consideration.  

            The budget ought to be a guide that answers the question, “How do we plan to fulfill our mission in the coming year?”  Sometimes the current budget will include investments in our future that invites the further question, “How are we strengthening our congregation so that we will be better able to fulfill our mission in the future?”

            Our church works to offer authentic community and transforming spirituality to our members, and to express our values in the world outside.  Our budget should enable us to do that, and should increase our capacity to do more of that, more effectively, in the future.