Ministries
Cross of Grace
January 2012
Dear friends in Christ,
I just realized that the article for newsletters that I supposedly sent last month, went to a different group. What is really interesting is that most who received it, never received an article before. Accordingly, some of the following comments come from last month’s article.
Our first worship service was January 3, 2010. On January 8, 2012, we celebrated Cross of Grace Lutheran’s second anniversary. It is also the Sunday we celebrated the Baptism of Our Lord. It is a good time to acknowledge our anniversary as we reflect on our own baptism. We had hoped to invite you, but since the article wasn’t printed, you never received notice.
No one knows what 2012 will bring. I know I sure don’t. However, there is something we will be focusing on. When I began my ministry as a mission pastor, the intention was that I would be involved with the mission “for a couple of years.” I will be finishing my third year, and it appears I may be at Cross of Grace through the end of 2012. In so many ways, I am joyful and thankful. The worshippers at Cross of Grace have ministered to me more than I to them. It’s a wonderful community of faith that exudes love. However, Frankie and I also want to spend more time together through retirement. Finding a proactive way to continue God’s purpose for this mission will begin on January 18, 2012, when I meet with Bishop Gordy. Additional funding is required; since the National Church and our synod do not have necessary funds to support a full-time mission developer, it is a major concern. The worshippers and I know that, as long as I am healthy, I will not want to abandon the mission without continuity in place.
There are certain facts that in many ways are secular. Yet, they are indicators of how the mission is doing. Our attendance has increased twenty percent over the previous year. The financial giving of active worshippers has increased from less than forty percent of revenue to over fifty percent. This continued rate of growth will provide a challenge for 2012.
May the New Year be filled with joyful surprises from God.
Ed Wolff, Mission Pastor
1103 Miller Dr.
Jonesborough, TN 37659
Cell: (423) 833-8932
(423) 833-8587
Where Does OSLC Benevolence Go?
Every year, we, at OSLC, give 15% of our budget (minus the mortgage amount) to the Synod. This is called our Benevolence. We pay this budgeted amount whether we collect the full budget amount of offerings or spend the full amount.
There are always questions about how this money is used. Provided here is a breakdown that shows how the Synod puts the money to use. Note that it is not all used for administration at either the Synod level or the national level.
These numbers are based on percentages provided by the Synod and the ELCA. Please note that other moneys are given out but budget descriptions are not definitive enough for their inclusion.
Contribution to our Synod this year: $52,650
Used for:
-- Pass-through to ELCA: $25,272
-- Begin mission congregations: 2,527
-- Lutheran Social Service organizations within synod: 1,322
-- Other grants to organization including education institutions: 5,265
-- Operating Synod office, staff and commissions: 17,925
Distribution of money ($25,272) passed through to ELCA:
Used for:
-- Global Missions*: $5,115
-- Evangelism outreach: 7,929
-- Church in Society*: 2,046
* Includes some funds for World Hunger
Total given to help others worldwide (46%): $24,237