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 Dear Friends: As I write this letter, we are amidst a historic presidential election, dropping interest rates, high energy costs, and a weakened economy. The stock market has posted massive declines for several consecutive days last week. These and other developments have caused high levels of fear and anxiety, both locally and globally. While all of us feel the impact of these developments, some of our brothers and sisters have been particularly affected by these realities: some are facing uncertain and difficult challenges related to their personal and family finances; some have become victims of job cuts; others have seen their wages drop; escalating costs in fuel and commodities have imposed severe hardship for many. Some among us do not know where to turn in their desperation. We invite our churches in Ohio to respond to this challenge by being especially attentive to what God might be wishing to do through you to exemplify and demonstrate the values of His Kingdom – values of love, care, compassion, and helpful generosity. The ways in which you support and encourage those in need may be to them a tangible evidence of the goodness of God. These are times when we can truly be the hands, feet, and heart of God to many. Our churches can be centers of hope to people who are experiencing hopelessness. If you are among those facing a financial crisis due to job or wage losses, our wish for you is that you be connected to a caring and supportive church family that will walk with you in your time of need, and demonstrate to you the love and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. May you also find strength in the assurance that Jesus is your “Friend who sticks closer than a brother,” and that He will never leave you or forsake you. Besides this personal dimension of how current economic conditions have affected us, several of you have --in recent weeks -- also asked me how the Ohio Conference is being impacted by the current downturn in the State’s economy. Obviously, we as a community of Adventists in Ohio have a strong desire for the life and ministry of our Church to remain robust despite changes in our environment. Your questions have led me to the following thoughts: 1. We are deeply grateful for the continued spirit of generosity that is evidenced among Ohio Adventists. Your interest in the well-being of the Church is reflected in the giving of your money, time, and energies. I am consistently at awe at how much you do voluntarily, and with a willing and joyful spirit. Please know that we are deeply thankful for your lives of such generosity. 2. Our Administrative team and our Conference Finance Committee regularly and carefully monitor our financial trends – both in tithe income and our expenses. We are all committed to making any necessary adjustments to our operations that would be responsible and prudent, should the financial trends or projections warrant such actions. 3. At the time of this writing, our tithe income is about what it was at this time in 2007 and our expenses are tracking somewhat close to our 2008 budget. However, the budget anticipates that by December 31 we need a cumulative tithe increase of 4% in 2008 over 2007. 4. In the event that income and expense trends point to the advisability of revising our spending plan at any time in 2008 and 2009, our priority will be to ensure that the people who serve you (your pastors, teachers, Conference resource staff – persons whose positions are funded through your tithe dollars) are available to continue to lead in the ministry and mission of the Church. If reductions are necessary, they will first be done in programming and operations. Please pray for us as we sift through our many ministry opportunities and determine what we can sustain and manage in this current global climate. 5. The North American Division has guidelines on the level of financial reserves that a Conference should maintain at all times. The Ohio Conference’s reserves meet and exceed these thresholds. These monies are accessible in case of a need for additional operating funds. 6. While it is important to have sound and carefully developed contingency plans and strategies to address fluctuations in our financial operations, we must view these plans from the perspective that what we are about is God’s work, His Mission, and His Church. Our confidence and assurance, therefore, are in His unfailing purposes, goodness, and grace. He is well able to sustain us. He supplies our needs. He engenders the spirit of generosity in people’s hearts. He reminds us of the reality of abundance. He inspires us to choose generosity. Let me once again thank you for your faithfulness in your tithes and offerings. For every dollar of tithe you give, approximately 85 cents benefits the Adventist Church in Ohio; the other 15 cents helps support various entities of the world-wide Adventist family. Beside your tithe, your offerings are critical for your congregation’s operations and ministry. We are pleased to learn of the many ways in which the Adventist Church in Ohio is becoming a transforming presence in many Ohio communities. The challenges of our time are also opportunities to display the length, breadth and width of God’s love for the human family. It is a privilege to be used by God to heal a broken and hurting world while pointing people to the salvation that is in Jesus Christ and to the “blessed hope” of His glorious return. Our prayer for you is that you would feel the presence of the Lord with you as you honor Him day by day in how you face your struggles and challenges, your setbacks and your triumphs. May He grant you an abundant measure of His peace. Rejoicing in His promises, Pastor Raj Attiken President |
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| 2 Fairgrounds Road • P.O. Box 1230 • Mount Vernon, OH 43050 • Phone: (740) 397-4665 | |||||||||
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