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September 25, 2007
Dear MCC Pastor, Board and
Congregation:
At MCC's recent General
Conference, the Board of Elders and Board of
Administration took the courageous
action, approved by you, to lower the monthly
contribution from local congregations to MCC to
13%. This was an act of faith!
As we plan ahead for 2008, we need two things
from you that would insure a financially
successful 2008 as we continue to do the urgent
ministry that God has called us to:
-- Resolve to pay
your monthly contributions regularly and on
time. If every church strove to do
this, we would immediately solve our cash flow
issues. You may think that your church's
contributions alone do not make the difference,
but that is not true. We have made enormous
improvements in this in the past year or so, but
more improvement would mean better service to
our churches. Many churches are already doing
this, but if even 25% improved, it would bring
us to a whole new place! I would suggest to you
that this is not only about financial
discipline, but about a holistic, spiritual
commitment to our global community. You will be
blessed, I am confident!
Please prayerfully consider
the challenge set out by MCC's Board of
Administration and our BOA Chair, Rev. Jeff
Miner, and plan to give over and above
the 13% minimum either to the general
fund, or to one of the identified ministries in
the "Generous in Faith" materials we sent to
you. (If you need a copy of these materials,
simply write to
info@MCCchurch.net
and we'll promptly send them, along with a
helpful planning form, by return e-mail). This
over-and-above giving will make a difference in
what we can do beyond the basics, and even in
covering some of those very bottom-line expenses
for ministry. As we promised at conference, this
is an experiment in which we hope that your
congregation will have an opportunity to become
more engaged in specific MCC ministries that you
support.
Already, local
churches have started to respond to the
challenge before us! Rev. Miner's
church, Jesus MCC (Indianapolis), has pledged to
give 15.2% in 2008, an increase for them and a
challenge to the rest of us. Exodus MCC
(Texas) and MCC Naples (Florida) have already
pledged to continue at 14%.
As your congregation begins planning its 2008
budget, we are hopeful that you, too, will take
a step of faith and choose to support MCC's
global ministry above the 13% minimum. Your
Regional Elder will be in touch with you and is
available for consultation about your options.
Once you have moved through
your budget process and made a decision on your
level of support in 2008, please let me know
what you have decided by e-mailing me at
RevNancyWilson@MCCchurch.net.
Thanks again for your
powerful witness to the inclusive Gospel of
Jesus that we preach and live in MCC. I hope to
hear from you soon!
Grace and Peace,
+Nancy
The Reverend Elder Nancy Wilson
Moderator
Metropolitan Community Churches
P.S. Remember, if you need another copy of the
"Generous in Faith" materials, including your
ministry giving options and a planning form,
write to
info@MCCchurch.net.
We'll promptly send your materials by return
e-mail.
P.P.S. At General Conference this
year, we could all feel the "tipping point" that
characterizes this special moment in MCC's nearly
40 year history. It is
time to invest again, deeply, in our movement
and in that momentum.
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