Become part of the solution

Matt Schreck, who's on the Stewardship Team (and energetic about it, too!), sent this along to explain more fully his views on some of the comments made today:

I’ve read the most recent blog postings, and must reply to clarify a few things that have been stated. As always, these are my views and my views only. I’d be happy to discuss in person or offline with any one who desires.

First, and as I stated this morning, the Stewardship Team (in conjunction with Pete Begin) began having financial presentation meetings in the fall of 2006. Detailed handouts setting forth the church’s financial position (including historical deficits and pledge data) were provided. An updated presentation was made in the fall of 2007. All four of these meetings were publicized in advance and, unfortunately, not nearly as many people attended as were at today’s meetings. To state that members have not been provided the necessary information, and that today’s Policy Board data boards and presentation are “too little, too late,” is simply untrue. What is clear is that we members are now finally focusing on what has been ignored for years – we are not raising enough money to operate the church.

With respect to pledges, and contrary to what some folks stated at today’s meeting, attendance is not declining, members aren’t leaving in droves as unhappy campers, and our minister is not driving people away. Rather, attendance remains strong (I was a greeter at the second service today and attendance was excellent). We’re not raising enough revenue because: (a) several of our larger pledges have moved away, retired, or have pastoral concerns; (b) we continue to have a plethora of members who contribute at minimal levels vis-à-vis their financial circumstances and apparently have no intention of ever raising their pledges; and (c) we have, as a congregation, and as all too evident by many of the comments at the meetings today, a collective “scarcity” mentality. It’s easier to complain. It’s easier to focus on the symptoms of the problem, spew invective, and ignore the need to work together. Few of the angry comments today focused on constructive “how can we fix this mess.” Rather, many of the comments (particularly at the early session), pointed fingers, accusing the Policy Board of violating a sacred trust that clearly translated into “how dare you cut a program of which I am fond.”

Fellow members, we as a congregation must get together, cut out the sniping, and fix this problem. We simply must.

With respect to the issue of pledging, I’m personally offended at the term “begging” as somehow characterizing stewardship. As a member of the Stewardship Team, I guess I wear rose colored glasses. I assumed that we were the conduit through which members could express their love and support of the church by helping it pay its bills, minister to the flock and the greater community, and help one another though frequently challenging secular and spiritual times. I had no idea we were begging. Begging what? Begging that you put your money behind your desire to have a church responsive to your needs? Begging so that staff can have a livable wage or keep their jobs? Begging so that the less fortunate among us have a safe and welcoming haven to which to come each Sunday (and the other six days) for welcome sanctuary? For what are we begging? My wife, Kristen, and I are indeed blessed, and we are blessed to be able to pledge to this church. For us, our pledge is not a charitable contribution given grudgingly away in the face of begging. Rather, it is, in the spirit of Jan’s sermon today, our little part towards “touching” the greater whole so that we all can enjoy the fruits of our collective church we call home. If anyone believes that today’s frank discussion about the church’s need to increase revenues so we can avoid laying people off and cutting programs is “begging,” then I can only shake my head. If any member believes that being asked to pledge is “begging,” or believes that adopting the rationale that “I don’t need to pledge very much because there are those among us who can give a lot,” is constructive or even healthy, or that “all this focus on money is just a naked attempt to drive away all but the well heeled” is a rationale response, then all the sermons in the world about being generous and taking care of your neighbor (or the person sitting in the next pew) just must not have stuck, so to speak.

And, I must also take issue with some of the characterizations regarding the Policy Board (and, I must admit, given that Kristen was a Policy Board member until very recently, cheap shots at the Policy Board, in the words of Waylon Jennings, are “fightin’ words”). I have served on Finance Boards, Boards of Trustees, Stewardship Committees, and the like. Each time, it is an honor and a privilege to work with, and for, my fellow congregants. Frequently, rather than being a “thankless job,” it is nothing less than a daily mission to try and do what you truly believe is in the best interest of the church. The “thankless” part of the job comes when members, armed with nothing more than a point of view and a forum to articulate anger, criticize and call into question your motives. When Kristen was the president of the board of our last church, she could have funded our shortfall with the number of times she was called a liar to her face. Thankless? No. Personally trying? Yes. As was pointed out at the meetings, there are four openings for the Policy Board this year. Maybe some of those posting on this blog will consider calling the Nominating Committee and “volunteering.” The reward is service in and of itself, I can assure you. Become part of the solution.

In closing, I was handed five pledge sheets this afternoon after the second meeting. Actions supporting words – a fine start. We have 55 days until hard decisions must be made, and I hope that today’s meetings ignite solutions to these issues, rather than merely push people towards digging in, closing their minds, and tacking ever harder away from fixing the problem. Best to all, Matt Schreck