Stewardship Committee Update 4.22.20

by Charlie Young on April 22, 2020

Greetings from the OFBC Stewardship Committee.

Four weeks ago we wrote to you to let you know what actions were being taken to meet the financial obligations of our church during this ongoing Corona virus pandemic in view of the fact that we were no longer able to assemble together on campus.  We discussed in that letter the likelihood that tithes and offerings would be negatively impacted as many amongst us were likely to be personally impacted economically. We also addressed the ability to give online and our efforts to reduce expenses. We would like to share with you a snapshot of how we are doing:

  • In the first four weeks since our last on campus meeting, our giving has averaged about 91% of the required weekly amount to meet our planned 2020 budget.
  • Due to curtailment of on-campus programs and other actions taken by the staff, we have been able to reduce our ongoing expenses such that we continue to operate “in the black”  year-to-date and have not had to dip into our savings or emergency funds.
  • We continue to fund our “On Mission” giving to the Cooperative Program and Screven Association. Many others are suffering, the need is great, and it is important that we continue to support God’s work faithfully through these organizations.
  • We continue to meet our bond payments on our sanctuary. We had inquired about alternatives, but the bonding company advised that temporary deferral or reduction in payments was not an option as they did not hold the bonds internally.
  • OFBC applied for and received a Small Business Administration Payroll Protection Program loan from our bank under the CARES Act. The proceeds of this loan will allow us to continue to fund our payroll expenses even as we experience a dip in tithes and offerings. Additionally, this loan will have a substantial portion “forgiven” such that it will result in a significant grant to help see us through the quarantine period.
  • Our online giving has increased 400% from a year ago as many of you have taken steps to use this method. For those who wish to continue to mail in offerings or drop them by the office, a drop box is located just outside the office door for your convenience.

OFBC is truly blessed to have such a faithful body of believers, but we need to be mindful that many of our brothers and sisters have lost jobs, have had work hours curtailed, and are experiencing the economic impact of this virus in their personal lives.  As this quarantine continues, many more will likely be impacted. We need to keep them in our prayers as well as the many others around the world that are also impacted both physically and economically. Our staff has done a fantastic job of converting to an online-only worship format and they have opened the door for deepening of our faith, keeping us engaged and uniting us during this time of isolation. As time moves forward, there will be many opportunities for us as individuals and corporately as the OFBC to assist others in their time of need. Let us continue to be faithful and prepare to do the work God calls us to do in these days ahead.

Your Stewardship Committee,

Charlie Young, Jim Farrish, Mason Van Tassel, Rob Masten and Robin Brittain

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