David Arnott sent this along to add to the discussion:
The theories about money versus wealth and status versus circumstances or age and connections are all good reasons for increasing or decreasing one’s pledge. After all, who best to judge the benefit or weigh the sacrifice I am making, except me? And, we are learning there are as many reasons as Members why we pass by one house of worship, or synagogue or steeple to come here, to Fern Street on Sunday mornings to be with each other. That too is a decision which no one can quantify, or qualify, except the individual. Once a Member, whether you are the newest amongst us or the eldest amongst us, your rights and privileges as a Member makes you an equal among us all. In this sense, every pew seat and every space within our house of worship and at every meeting you have the right to speak out, regardless of your time with us and especially without regard to what you pledge. So, what “a fair pledge” is ultimately comes down to what the individual gives.
Once a Member, and a part of your church, however, it is reasonable to know what it costs to run and fund our programs; pay our professional Staff and the annual upkeep costs to sustain our house of worship so that it is safe and operational. Not knowing this basic information shortchanges each of us who care and love our church. I commend the Policy Board, Ministers and Staff for making this information transparent. No one knows more than these dedicated Members and Staff how painful it is to spread and stretch a budget. We come 30, 40, 50 times a year [or 3, 4 or 5 times] and many enter our sanctuary with children, with spouses, partners, with extended family and some arrive with friends. The health of our church reflects on each of us. It does not fall in the laps of the paid and volunteer Members. They are custodians for us—but the church is us—not them. It is our house of worship. They have a role in caring for this church which we have entrusted to them; but the burden is ours. The only benefit our church receives is a tax break provided for in the Constitution under the separation of powers clause; and an endowment, left by our forbears, who entrusted it to us to continue to practice our faith and keep our traditions alive in their passing. It also certainly was gifted to keep our house of worship like our homes—a place to feel safe returning to each evening. Many of our benefactors are interred in the Memorial Garden where, when I pass, I can still see their faces and hear their voices because so many of them still live in my mind and heart.
And this is where the “fairness” issue becomes a “reasonable” issue which we must, as a church, face head-on. How many pledging Members [unit/family, etc.] do we have and what is the average/mean pledge? What is our total budget? Division anyone? That number addresses what each Pledging Member should understand is what it costs to run our church during any planning year. While the church can never have a debate with me about what I must give, this church would be irresponsible if it failed to share with me what a responsible Member pledge should be. In times of deficits as we are now in, only I can assess how to change my current pledge. So, while we would all rather not hear the details, the responsible role of the Policy Board is to share how the news is bad—not just that the news is bad.
I think instinctively we all know revenue shortfalls break-up and eliminate parts of the church. Last year it was RevJean’s hours and pay and Summer Services. This year it is Music and art programs and custodian hours. What next year? How ironic, because our Membership is so talented and gifted. The skills base and backgrounds so diverse, you make me want to be here—to grow, to be like you. Indeed, we do not have a paucity of Members with great gifts.
So, what is a fair pledge is driven not by my finances or by my ability or inability to pay a ‘fair pledge.’ No, that number is my right to give what I feel is right together with the right of the church to press for a pledge to keep our programs alive; our house of worship a safe place to come to and a professional Staff to do our administrative work and Ministers to steer us to become our better selves, to look within and without for a spark of the divine we each carry within us. In this sense, we are family—church family. We each only need to be aware we too are accountable and responsible for doing our small part.
Respectfully
David Arnott
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5 comments:
This statement by David is fine, but when Matt Schreck told everyone at the meeting last Sunday that he felt like Santa Claus because he knew what everyone had pledged -- or didn't -- it seemed like intimidation to me. There was no need for that comment and it only served to emphasize that at least to some people, your worth is very much tied to how much you pledge.
My purpose was certainly not to intimate or "twist any arms." I apologize if that was the message received. I said this because, as we were talking about money, and let's all admit that up front. Knowing who has pledged how much or if at all, is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, I can appreciate those who have dug deep and given generously (and David's whole point is that it is each of us who determine what that level of generousity will be), versus those who have come to the meeting to complain without even considering how he or she may toss a few dollars more into the plate to help stave off this crisis. I have spoke to dozens of members over the past two years. As Jan is fond of saying, "I know their stories." I know of many members who simply cannot pledge very much, if at all, due to very personal and trying circumstances. And, as I inevitably advise them when they ask "so what should I give?," I tell them give what you can and feel comfortable with, as your church is with you regardless of your pledge. If you've ever spoken to me about this, I think you'd know that I (nor any other member of Stewardship) attempt to intimidate at all. I'm no saint, but I'm not the pledge ogre that has been suggested in this post. I believe the issue here is that many people equate being asked to pledge generously to support the church with the government tax guy showing up at your door with his hand out saying "hi, I'm here to help you by having you write a check." As David Arnott stated, being told how much it takes to run the church, and asking for a meaningful pledge within your means is not equate to "intimidation." The "intimidation" is generated from within. In closing, two things; (1) I renew my offer to speak with anyone regarding the "fiscal crisis," stewardship, or any other matter relating to this situation; and (2) I know people must post anonymously, but you can indicate who you are in your post. For example, this is Matt Schreck, and I approve of David Arnott's message.
Dear Matt,
You don't have to post anonymously, but I do. I stand by what I said about your remarks being intimidating.
Everyone at the meeting knows that you and the policy board are privvy to how much each person gives, unless it is done anonymously with cash. I am simply pointing out that what you said was unnecessary and not exactly in the "love is the spirit of this church" vein. You didn't need to point out how you have all the inside info on everyone's pledge. We already knew that. It was tense enough in there without that, and it was intimidating. If the message you are trying to get out is that the church trusts members and supporters to give what is right for them, then that message isn't getting through. The message is either a) everyone must pledge a certain amount, a flat tax, of $1,200 per single person and $2,400 per dual income regardless of the size of the income, or 2.) everyone must pay a percentage of their income, without any thought that the exact same percentage for me is crippling while for you it might be a night on the town.
We are constantly told that if we do not follow this, that we are not being "fair" or "responsible" to the church, when in fact either way is regressive and unfair to those of us who are struggling financially.
Frankly, I don't feel comfortable discussing my personal finances with you, Ray or anyone else on the Policy Board. My income and expenses are really none of your business. Before I even joined the church, I was pledging, and my pledge was essentially an addition to my own personal debt since I didn't have anything extra to give. I thought it was important, however, so I did it. By the way, it fell far short of what you would have called "fair" or "responsible," but it was putting me further into debt while I was being lambasted from the pulpit and lectern by Jan and many of you (along with everyone else listening) for not doing my share. Now how fair is that, Matt? You better believe it didn't make me feel good about "my church."
Points of clarification to last post: (1) the Stewardship Team does not share any member's pledge with the PB; PB is only given aggregate numbers or breakdowns of number of pledges and their respective levels. Confidentiality is respected at all times. Ministers are provided with pledge data so that they can identify pastoral concerns so that the Stewardship Team can be sensitive as to who among us should not be contacted or followed up regarding the canvas. As to "fair" or "responsible" share, the numnbers are given as guidelines to explain what the church needs per member to balance it's budget. Your "fair" share is whatever you believe you can give based on your own financial circumstances. You are doing so, so you are giving your "fair" share. We thank you. No one is required to pledge any certain amount. By the same token, if the church cannot pay its bills, then action must be taken. I imagine this is no different than in your own household, or any other member's. While no one is suggesting or requesting that any member go in debt to make a pledge, no member should expect the church to go into debt to maintain a program. Matt Schreck
Steve,
Were you able to meet with Ray as you had hoped to the other evening when I volunteered my fundraising counsel to church leadership?
Matt, would you mind sending me an email (emmazeke@comcast.net) so that we might have an offline conversation about fundraising and the stewardship committee's role.
My name is Darrell Cookman and I am a long-time pledging non-member of the church. I have valuable experience to volunteer as a fundraising professional, although I don't want to weigh in too much in this venue without getting more background info about the Church's fundraising plan.
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