It seems that in today’s culture, the “bigger is better” philosophy is all around us. Supercenters, 75-inch flat-screen televisions and mega-sized smartphones have become the norm. The church is not immune to this growing trend (pun intended), as many communities are seeing the growth of the megachurch — churches with hundreds in worship, often across multiple campuses and varying service times. It is as if the larger the church membership becomes, the healthier the church is perceived to be, leaving smaller congregations often feeling inadequate. While megachurches may appear to be the new norm, statistics paint a different picture.
Stewardship season was in full swing at Healdsburg (California) Community Church last fall when tragedy struck. Raging wildfires in Sonoma County wiped out vast residential areas within 20 miles of the church. Every church member — even those whose own homes were safe — knew people affected by the fires.
The denomination’s Office of Public Witness (OPW) hosted a day of advocacy on September 12, interceding on behalf of a “Faithful Budget” as highly contentious budget negotiations continue on the Hill.
The Presbyterian Mission Agency’s Office of Public Witness is calling on Presbyterians across the denomination to come to Washington D.C. this fall to speak out on the proposed federal budget. Church members, presbyteries and synods are being asked to gather on September 12 for a budget briefing, press conference and a visit to congressional offices.
For members of First Presbyterian Church of Jeffersonville, Indiana, reducing energy costs means more than balancing the budget. They see it as an opportunity to redirect funds to ministerial outreach.
Reversing several years of a downward trend in congregational giving, a report today from to the Audit and Finance committees of the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board showed 2016 mid-year giving at $2,794,449, which is an increase of $1,000,699 over the budgeted $1,793,750, and $610,021 over last year’s mid-year mark.
The Presbyterian Mission Agency Board (PMAB) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) concluded its April 2016 meeting with an approved 2017-18 bridge Mission Work Plan and a budget with 15 percent reductions over the same period. The board also approved a work restructuring plan that includes job reassignments, elimination of programming and staff reductions.
The Presbyterian Mission Agency Board (PMAB) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has a approved a budget and work restructuring plan that will reduce the agency’s overall budget by 15 percent over the 2017-18 period.
The Presbyterian Mission Agency Board of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has approved a plan to restructure its work. The design does not change the number of board members, although it does include additional voices in issue-based ad-hoc ministerial teams, and does not require the approval of the General Assembly.
