Being one of those strange people who actually enjoy the process of governance, it was great to see many of you at the Autumn Assembly recently.
I really appreciated not just the fact we made some important decisions but also the spirit in which we made them.
I am constantly aware that the role of the Assembly Board is to serve our membership. Therefore, it is always satisfying when after all the discussion, prayer and consideration that goes into the proposals we put to the assembly, the assembly then affirms we are on the right track.
This Autumn, the big decisions regarded the potential purchase of new offices for our Ministry Team and approving the annual budget.
Of course, there are many people who would prefer to have a lobotomy with a spoon than involve themselves with these decisions, but if you bear with me here I will explain why they are important.
Aside from the obvious legal requirements and accountability to membership, I see these decisions as deeply spiritual. You see, administration and finances is quite literally putting our money where our mouth is.
Personally, I can look at any budget and see what the church or organisation’s true values are, despite what they might say are their values.
In the case of the Assembly Board, we attempt to balance wise investment and stewardship of the resources we are entrusted with against the mission of our movement.
Our dilemma is always whether we should invest the capital accumulated to give us regular income or whether to spend that capital on major projects. Both choices have their merits, neither is ethically right or wrong.
We desire our finances to be closely aligned with our stated mission, that our spending shows both faith and wise stewardship, that anyone looking at our budget or balance sheet can clearly see what our values are.
Broadly speaking, there appears to be a sense around the board table that the Lord has blessed us financially as a movement over the past decade or so, hence an appetite to ask the question, now what?
With the appointment of Melinda and the staff changes that have followed, new conversations are being had that are likely to impact our financial direction in due course.
My prayer – and hopefully yours too – is for wisdom to get the balance right; that we will put the resources that the Lord has given us into the work He asks us to do, ultimately putting His money where His mouth is!
