What’s in your ministry spending plan?

When asked about what’s in their church’s ministry spending plan, leaders in the majority of Brethren in Christ churches can point to a generous commitment to Cooperative Ministries. And for many of our churches, participation in CM is part of a diversified giving/ministry plan.

The Ashland (Ohio) BIC Church is a case in point. Pastor Keith Tyson tells how in 2002 or 2003 the congregation decided to give 11 percent to CM. “The leadership team covenanted to give a tithe of the yearly budget to CM. They vowed that even if the budget was not met, CM would always get that tithe, and they have never regretted the vow. In fact, ABC has literally experienced that you cannot out give God. In my first year here, (actually in the fall of 2005) the board voted to give 1% of our yearly budget to local ministries (Homeless Shelter, Salvation Army, Crisis Pregnancy center etc.) and hopefully add a percent a year to that. Then last year I was absolutely thrilled when one of our key leaders suggested at a board meeting that we add a percent a year to our CM giving. That is why we are at 11% and why we will be 12% for 2008. I think by our calculations we are giving 15% to ministries outside of ourselves at this point. What really thrills me is that this was all initiated by the leadership team and not me.”

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