One of the big issues in new start work is money. Not only is it the issue of how much it costs to start something from nothing, but then comes the question of sustainable funding. How long should a grant run? And what should be paid for in a new church start anyway?
There are lots of experts out there with funding plans and data about giving and community growth. Being who I am and having a good Scottish heritage that lends its self to a frugal mindset I’m most focused on making sure the resources we have are used well and making the most of the least. If you come to our house I’m likely to tell you that the paint we got was only 5 dollars since it was a mis-mixed can. Instead of paying $6 a knob for a new look for our kitchen cabinets I simply bought a $6 can of spray paint and made all 22 look new. We’ve now taken the paint off for another new look- and it was free! Jeff spends most of September strategizing how to use the remaining coupons in our Chinook Book before they expire in October. Our vacations are usually one free ticket from miles, one full price ticket, and one companion ticket for having the airline credit card. We pride ourselves on trying to live well, yet wisely. This same ethos is in the funding model we created and in the way we live at SFC.
The past year I came up with a plan that would have been able to continue the new start with out me, but also without any funding from our grantor. Instead the congregational development team asked us to dream big, so we did. Our big dream costs $67,000 for 2016, 80% of which we receive in grants. This funds me at 1/2 time for 6 months and full time for 6 months. This funds Jeff at 1/4 time for the year. This pays the insurance, the maintenance, our programs, lay training, and includes our shared giving to the annual conference.
There are lots of great churches out there doing amazing music, updating their facilities so that they are comfortable for all ages. There are new church starts with rent to pay and child care workers to hire. One of the beautiful things about being in the Pacific Northwest is the idea that we can all be creative as we plant for our context and follow the call of who God made us to be. We’ve been really clear here at SFC that we are working towards something other than the traditional new church start. Our goal is to create a different model of church, one where people gather at tables, pray in the woods, serve in the world, worship in living rooms, and, like all other churches, grow in our love for God.
It’s a blessing to be able to follow the vision God has given us while spending relatively small amounts of money. My hope is this then leaves more resources on the table for folks who are called to plant churches in ways that require more money. The goal for church planters is to live into the creativity God is breathing in to each of us so that we may share the way of Christ with more and more folks. The more resources to go around for this the better!
I’m not sure what the future will bring as we continue to vision and create, but I know it will include committing to following Christ faithfully and a continued clarity around spending small.
-Eilidh
| A Community Donation Station in Reno, Nevada. To donate to SFC click HERE |
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