The finance committee is responsible to the Church Council to raise and disperse funds, and to manage the church’s finances. While prudent financial practices are employed in the management of our finances, faith plays a major part in the management of our financial matters at Bethel Church. This committee meets quarterly and more frequently as the budget is being compiled in the summer.
Bethel has been blessed financially over the years as members and friends have generously given, usually by pledging support and honoring their financial commitments. While our budget has grown considerably in the last 10 years to accommodate our new ministries, activities, and building, so has our income. Every year for the last dozen, we have taken in more money than we said we needed and spent less than we said we were going to. At the same time, we have taken on new, unfunded ministries and outreach opportunities each year. We have learned the biblical truth that in giving you receive a hundredfold.
As examples of our financial success, we have always paid 100% of our apportionments. We paid off the 30-year note on our parsonage in less than 10 years. We had $700,000 cash to apply against the cost of our $1,700,000 building program. And we anticipate paying off the 10-year portion of our building note ($400,000) early.
Managing the finances is done, largely, through an annual budget process and individual pledges, with input from all church work-areas. The goals and vision that the congregation put in place each year are also an integral part of the budget process. The budget is compiled by the finance committee, but approved by the Church Council.
Finances are dispersed throughout the year within the framework of the budget. Oversight of the budget is done on a monthly basis, with a report presented at each council meeting.
To be accountable, the Finance Committee maintains a bonded “counting” committee whose responsibility is to count the offerings each week following the services and deposit them in a timely manner. The Finance Committee also employs an outside accountant to conduct an annual audit of all of the church’s accounts.
If you would like to know more about the church finances, the monthly report is on the bulletin board in the social hall, or you could contact one of the Finance Committee members whose names are listed on the information table in the social hall.