Hilltop Cash Flow

On Sunday, August 10th during worship I spoke to our income.  

We built our 2014 annual budget on the educated, and carefully analyzed, forecast we would receive $333,000 for all of 2014 from the congregation.  

This number is a function of (1) pledges received for 2014 and historical patterns of giving from those who (2) did not pledge and (3) those who visit (called "loose plate".)

Over three-quarters of that $333,000 number is drawn from the pledged total, e.g. 78%.  Performance in this key area has major impact on our overall income.  

Through the end of July, we are below where we need to be in our Congregational Giving to get to that $333,000. 

I showed the chart above to the Congregation on Sunday.  

What does it mean?  

On Sunday I made several invitations. 

First, I invited those who might be behind, and can, to use this time as an opportunity to get caught up.  This applies to both pledged, and those who have not pledged, but have an idea what they planned on giving.    

Second, I invited all to consider some type of automatic system in which to provide Hilltop their treasure.  We have Vanco forms in the office, which is one way of accomplishing this automatic approach.  

Third, for those who might be caught up, and can, to look at four potential areas of extra mile giving:

• Music and Arts (Code 804)
• Missions (Code 878)
• Pastor's Discretionary Fund (Code 818)
• Capital Improvements (Code 853)
• (and not shown but a good account as well) -- Youth (Code 899)

All four of these are excellent extra mile candidates. The four codes are within our designated accounts and if it is shown on the check, envelope if cash, or in remarks of some kind if using an automated transaction, would help the counters.   

My temporary priority here is Music and Arts but all of these are important if a member of the church is at or above where they expected to be at this time of the year. 

All who call Hilltop their spiritual home should know that I do not know who gives how much.