The United Church of Canada

Telling the Story of Your Ministry Ministry-Based Budget or Narrative Budget Resources

TELLING THE STORY OF YOUR MINISTRY – NARRATIVE BUDGET RESOURCES

TELLING THE STORY OF YOUR MINISTRY – NARRATIVE BUDGET RESOURCES

FIVE STEPS TO WRITING A NARRATIVE BUDGET ..................................2 SAMPLE ALLOCATION....................................................................... 10 SAMPLE - FOREST HILL UNITED CHURCH, TORONTO (Pages 11-12) .... 12 CONSIDERATIONS AS YOU PLAN ....................................................... 14 GIVING CHARTS ............................................................................... 16 OUR STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM - Q&A .............................................. 20

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FIVE STEPS TO WRITING A NARRATIVE BUDGET Step 1 - Getting Ready Recruit the right people to help prepare the Narrative Budget. Three or four individuals who know the ministry who know the numbers who are skilled at writing who have photography and/or desktop design skills Gather them together and begin with prayer and Biblical reflection.

Three Stewardship Prayers 1. Mighty and tender God, Creator and giver of life and all things We give our thanks and praise We are especially thankful for (Add your own) … Mighty and tender God, We ask your blessing upon our work and ministry, our response to your call to be the Church  To celebrate God’s presence  To live with respect in Creation  To love and serve others  To seek justice and resist evil  To proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. From A New Creed Mighty and tender God, Hear us as we pray For the church throughout the world in its life and ministries; For the nations and peoples of the world as they strive for peace and justice; For all who suffer: people who are sick, grieving, lonely, oppressed; For peaceful relations among friends, colleagues, family, and strangers. (Add your own)… Mighty and tender God, In your loving purpose help us to use and share the gifts you have given us to contribute to your mission. In all things give us the grace and wisdom to accept your will. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. 2|Page O : \ S t e w a r d s h i p \ N a r r a t i v e B u d g e t N a r r a t i v e B u d g e t R e s o u r c e s . d o c x

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TELLING THE STORY OF YOUR MINISTRY – NARRATIVE BUDGET RESOURCES 2. Gracious and generous God, Creator and Giver of all that is good, we thank you for our many blessings. We acknowledge that all that we have is from you. We offer you thanks and praise for the beauty of the earth, our work, our family, our loved ones, and all the gifts we have been given. Help us to hear your call to be good stewards, caretakers, and managers of all your gifts by sharing them for your purposes. Help us plan to serve our church, our community, and our world with your gifts. May we serve you and pray with a joyful spirit of mind and heart. Amen We remain your faithful stewards. Amen.

3. Generous and loving God, You call us to be disciples of your son Jesus and good stewards of your many gifts. Open our minds and hearts to a greater awareness and deeper appreciation of your countless blessings. Transform us through the power of your Spirit to nurture a stewardship way of life for all our days marked by celebration of your presence, care for your creation, service to others, and justice seeking. We pray in the name of Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. Amen.

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TELLING THE STORY OF YOUR MINISTRY – NARRATIVE BUDGET RESOURCES

Bible Reflection: Micah 6:8 Invite one person to read the verse aloud. What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Questions for reflection: How are you (as an individual) engaged in the “Micah Mandate” to do justice? To love kindness? To walk humbly with God? Are you able to cite any examples? How is our congregation engaged in the “Micah Mandate”? How is our denomination engaged in the “Micah Mandate”? How might our lives, congregation, community and world be any different if we were serious about that mandate? What does the “Micah Mandate” require of us in 2013 and in 2014?

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TELLING THE STORY OF YOUR MINISTRY – NARRATIVE BUDGET RESOURCES

Step 2 - What Is Your Ministry? Identify your congregation’s key ministry areas or practices. Typically the following ministry areas or practices are identified: Worship Christian Development/Formation/Education Pastoral Care (including Welcome, Hospitality, Fellowship, Inreach) Outreach & Community Presence (including the Mission and Service of all the people of the United Church of Canada as well as local outreach activities)

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TELLING THE STORY OF YOUR MINISTRY – NARRATIVE BUDGET RESOURCES Step 3 - Creating the Narrative and Making Allocations Creating the Narrative For each Ministry Area or Practice provide the following information: 1. Describe the ministry in this area One or two descriptive paragraphs – enable readers to understand the IMPACT of this ministry on the lives of others Use stories from the previous years; testimonials Source photographs (use people – with permission – whenever possible) 2. Biblical quotation which connects this ministry with your faith story 3. List ministries contained in each category (strive for stories of the results of your ministry) number of programs number of individuals served 4. Total cost 5. Percentage of the total budget 6. Percentage of personnel time – Invite each staff member (and key lay leaders) to track the amount of time they spend in each area and then come up with an average of the total number of hours. Allocate these for all personnel time. 7. Number of volunteers and volunteer hours – Carry out a similar exercise as above. 8. What more we could be doing – Describe the expanding needs for this ministry. 9. Highlight M&S ministries, including those close to home. Indicate other local outreach activities. 10. Sample: http://orleansunitedchurch.com/blog/2012/02/09/narrative-budget/

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TELLING THE STORY OF YOUR MINISTRY – NARRATIVE BUDGET RESOURCES Making Allocations Using your line item budget, allocate expenses based on the estimate of time that ministry personnel and other staff (and even volunteer leaders) spend in each category of ministry. For example, 40% spent in matters related to the ministry of Worship; 25% related to the ministry of Christian Development; 30% related to the ministry of Pastoral Care; 5% related to Outreach. Some expenses relate ONLY to one ministry area where others will be across two or more. The same deductive process is used with each budget line item. Approximations are all that is expected. The final picture emerges when all the calculations are done. This is a time consuming process THE FIRST TIME – one estimate is about 15 hours, depending on the complexity of the congregation’s work. However, once this initial investment is made the annual process for revising this document is fairly straightforward.

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TELLING THE STORY OF YOUR MINISTRY – NARRATIVE BUDGET RESOURCES Step 4 – Pulling It Together Design a brochure / booklet – use pictures, especially of people. Avoid photos of an empty building. Produce a PowerPoint presentation.

Enhancements for your Narrative Budget 1. Include an introduction from the ministry team and/or a letter from ministry personnel setting the theme for the coming year. 2. Write and include a prayer written especially for your congregation’s ministry and used regularly throughout the year. 3. Track the gift of time – volunteer opportunities and impact. 4. Include more stewardship information. Giving Charts Q&A about the Stewardship Program 5. Include more Mission and Service information M&S at a Glance National Narrative Budget UCC Annual Report 6. If you are putting this on your website, include video testimonials: “Why I come” and “why I stay” Highlight the impact of a ministry area

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TELLING THE STORY OF YOUR MINISTRY – NARRATIVE BUDGET RESOURCES Step 5 - Share the Narrative Your Narrative Budget is now a document with multiple internal and external applications. For example: INTERNALLY

EXTERNALLY

Include it in the annual report – along with financial statements

Use on website; basis of blogs; social media

Highlight ministries –

Use in visitor information

one a week building up to the congregational annual meeting one a month prepare bulletin insert on each ministry area include as part of any stewardship program Use it as the Board Meeting agenda – use the topic areas to drive the meeting agenda Include in a new member package Create a children’s edition of the narrative budget; use the Narrative Budget Sunday School session - attached

Include in grant applications Use in advocacy initiatives Use as an evangelism and communication tool With ‘silent’ or lapsed United Church people With the wider community empathetic to the United Church’s positions and actions in social justice, equity and environment Share with presbytery and ecumenically

Use it as a reflection, planning and evaluation tool – Are we happy with the focus of our mission? What theology (view of God) does this budget express? Is our vision supported by our budget? Use it as a way of also highlighting the ministry of volunteers

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SAMPLE ALLOCATION1 ANNUAL BUDGET

WORSHIP

CHRISTIAN DEVELOPMENT

PASTORAL CARE

M&S and OUTREACH

Salaries & Benefits - Ministry Personnel

48,000.00

19,200.00

12,000.00

14,400.00

2,400.00

- Secretary

25,000.00

10,000.00

8,750.00

5,000.00

1,250.00

- Organist

20,000.00

20,000.00

- Custodian

18,000.00

6,000.00

6,000.00

6,000.00

Assessments – Conference & Presb. M&S Fund Church School

5,300.00

5,300.00

19,000.00

19,000.00

1,700.00

1,700.00

Youth Group

500.00

500.00

Study Groups

600.00

600.00

Stationery/Supplies United Church Observer Music

2,500.00

1,000.00

750.00

500.00

250.00

400.00

400.00

1,500.00

1,500.00

Flowers

300.00

150.00

Worship Supplies

500.00

500.00

Office Equipment

1,000.00

500.00

250.00

150.00

100.00

Resource Library

1,000.00

200.00

500.00

200.00

100.00

6,500.00

1,625.00

3,250.00

1,625.00

150.00

Building Expenses - Utilities

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From Celebrate Stewardship!

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TELLING THE STORY OF YOUR MINISTRY – NARRATIVE BUDGET RESOURCES - Maintenance

TOTALS $

2,500.00

750.00

1,125.00

625.00

154,300.00

61,425.00

35,425.00

28,650.00

% (rounded off) of total $ assigned to the four areas of programming

40%

23%

28,800

18%

19%

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SAMPLE - FOREST HILL UNITED CHURCH, TORONTO (Pages 11-12)

THE PRACTICE OF WORSHIPPING $67,712.41 – 33.5% OF OUR $202,126.60 BUDGET Our church celebrates the vibrancy of its worship, offering holy space for experiences of God. We gather as a community of faith to celebrate God's presence and where we listen for God's call to service in our world. Our ministry personnel, working with our music director and Worship Committee, prepare the weekly worship services. We have a strong tradition of involving lay members in leadership in our worship. We offer worship each week at 11:00 a.m. and special worship services at other times. Some practical examples that are part of our Practice of Worshipping: ministry leadership in worship/preaching instruments, choir, music, and staff funerals, weddings, baptisms nursing home services banners and decorations scripture readers supplies: bulletins, offering envelopes, etc. ushers, greeters, counters space for worship and preparation worship resources, hymn books, projections Special Christmas, Black History, Asian Heritage, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Easter, Thanksgiving and outdoor services IMPACT In the past year 3 new families have joined our congregation. “I leave Sunday worship recharged for the week ahead. The music comes back at odd moments in the week and I remember who I am.” Margaret Volunteer hours – Choir, ushers, readers, committee members, sound technician … 3650 hours a year 12 | P a g e O : \ S t e w a r d s h i p \ N a r r a t i v e B u d g e t N a r r a t i v e B u d g e t R e s o u r c e s . d o c x

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Volunteering in our Practice of Worshipping Celebrating God’s love together with others who share our faith; discerning God’s wisdom and will for our lives; nurturing our spirits to go forth into the world around us, rejuvenated and refreshed in God’s spirit. The wide variety of worship opportunities touches people’s hearts and moves us to feel and know God’s presence and power. We partner with God and each other to find innovative and creative ways to make worship a dynamic and lived out experience.

SOME WAYS YOU CAN VOLUNTEER AND BECOME AN ACTIVE PARTNER IN OUR WORSHIP MINISTRY:

Usher on Sunday morning

Serve as a sound technician

Sing in one of our choirs

Help with special worship services

Read scripture in worship

Lead devotions at church meetings

Leading a service in Churchill Manor

Our Dreams for the Future: We dream of  an improved lighting system so that we can set different tone for various services  offering an additional service on Sunday evening using the music of Taizé

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CONSIDERATIONS AS YOU PLAN2 Jesus encourages us to live a life that values sharing, including sharing our money. There are many worthy charities asking for support; giving to our congregation enables us to express our faith through our many ministries, as followers of Jesus.

More than ¾ of the annual budget, supporting all of our church ministries, depends on everyone’s regular giving. Each giver is a partner with all others in helping make God’s work possible here, and every gift is lifeaffirming, making a big difference to our ability to share God’s love.

There are 327 regular givers, and a growing number of these (127) give monthly through PAR (Pre-Authorized Remittance). The easiest and most efficient way for the church to receive your offering is through PAR, which also helps to ensure regular monthly income for the church.

Currently, the average annual donation is $740, which is a little more than $60 per month or almost $15 per week. Some of us must give less, and some (136 families) can give more, as personal finances allow. We are grateful for everyone’s faithful gift.

Consider what a meaningful amount of money is for your family. How much would make you pause and think twice before you actually spend it? That probably represents a meaningful amount. Now prayerfully ponder sharing meaningfully to encourage our ministries here.

Your offering is really a generous act of encouragement to our growing ministries. Be enthusiastic about helping to shape our church’s future by faithfully giving today, and together we’ll celebrate how God uses each of us to accomplish God’s purpose.

Making our church’s ministries a charitable priority helps you “pay it forward.” Giving whatever you can afford makes your offering an expression of your faith – sharing God’s blessings. And you benefit by receiving a tax receipt at the end of the year.

By supporting the Mission & Service (M&S) Fund you partner with the United Church of Canada in national and worldwide ministries.

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TELLING THE STORY OF YOUR MINISTRY – NARRATIVE BUDGET RESOURCES We can accomplish more together than we ever can alone; but giving to M&S does require an intentional decision and additional commitment on your part.

A legacy gift is one generous way of supporting future ministries at home, in Canada and around the world. By creating a bequest to your congregation and/or the Mission and Service Fund in your will, you can share your faith with future generations.

Pray about increasing your donation, if possible. Just like every household, our cost of living is steadily rising. If you haven’t thought about your financial commitment in a while, say YES again and consider increasing your giving by 10% this year; all of our ministries will benefit.

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GIVING CHARTS Three different kinds of Giving Charts: 1. Steps in a Journey Adjust the figures to your situation. Good for getting people to begin the process of moving up the giving ladder. 2. The Overall Congregational Picture This chart, annually updated by the ‘envelope secretary’, shows where the gifts are coming from and how the pattern is changing over time (in this case three years). Share in the annual report. 3. Proportional Giving Chart We all give a proportion of our income or resources. Are we aware of what that proportion is? Would we like to increase it? This page of charts, which could be circulated annually or posted on your website, will allow people to see where they are based on whether they give weekly, monthly or annually. (They will have to decide whether they are working with gross or net income.)

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TELLING THE STORY OF YOUR MINISTRY – NARRATIVE BUDGET RESOURCES STEPS IN A JOURNEY These steps provide a snapshot of our congregation and our giving patterns

________ Over $71 _____

Each step indicates a range

$61-70

of dollars given per week.

______

The numbers on top of

$41-60

each step indicate how

______

many givers are

$31-40

included in

______

each step

$21-30 _____

Where are you standing

$16-20

on the staircase?

_____

Can you move up one step in your

$11-15

givings for the year 20__?

_____ $6-10 ____ $1-5 (Note: _____ givers donate less than $1 per week)

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TELLING THE STORY OF YOUR MINISTRY – NARRATIVE BUDGET RESOURCES OVERALL CONGREGATIONAL PICTURE Annual Donation Range

20__ # of Regular Givers

$ Donations By Regular Givers

20__ # of Regular Givers

$ Donations By Regular Givers

20__ # of Regular Givers

$ Donations By Regular Givers

$10,000+ To $10,000 To $5,000 To $2,500 To $1,500 To $1,000 To $500 To $300 To $200 To $100 TOTALS

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TELLING THE STORY OF YOUR MINISTRY – NARRATIVE BUDGET RESOURCES PROPORTIONAL GIVING CHART Yearly Giving Chart Annual Income $30,000 $40,000 $50,000 $60,000 $70,000 $80,000 $90,000 $100,000 $125,000 $150,000

10%

9%

8%

7%

6%

5%

4%

3%

2%

1%

3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 7,000 8,000 9,000 10,000 12,500 15,000

2,700 3,600 4,500 5,400 6,300 7,200 8,100 9,000 11,250 13,500

2,400 3,200 4,000 4,800 5,600 6,400 7,200 8,000 10,000 12,000

2,100 2,800 3,500 4,200 4,900 5,600 6,300 7,000 8,750 10,500

1,800 2,400 3,000 3,600 4,200 4,800 5,400 6,000 7,500 9,000

1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500 4,000 4,500 5,000 6,250 7,500

1,200 1,600 2,000 2,400 2,800 3,200 3,600 4,000 5,000 6,000

900 1,200 1,500 1,800 2,100 2,400 2,700 3,000 3,750 4,500

600 800 1,000 1,200 1,400 1,600 1,800 2,000 2,500 3,000

300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1,000 1,250 1,500

10%

9%

8%

7%

6%

5%

4%

3%

2%

1%

250 333 417 500 583 667 750 833 1,042 1,250

225 300 375 450 525 600 675 750 938 1,125

200 267 333 400 467 533 600 667 833 1,000

175 233 292 350 408 467 525 583 729 875

150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 625 750

125 167 208 250 292 333 375 417 521 625

100 133 167 200 233 267 300 333 417 500

75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 313 375

50 67 83 100 117 133 150 167 208 250

25 33 42 50 58 67 75 83 104 125

10%

9%

8%

7%

6%

5%

4%

3%

2%

1%

58 77 96 115 135 154 173 192 240 288

52 69 87 104 121 138 156 173 216 260

46 62 77 92 108 123 138 154 192 231

40 54 67 81 94 108 121 135 168 202

35 46 58 69 81 92 104 115 144 173

29 38 48 58 67 77 87 96 120 144

23 31 38 46 54 62 69 77 96 115

17 23 29 35 40 46 52 58 72 87

12 15 19 23 27 31 35 38 48 58

6 8 10 12 13 15 17 19 24 29

Monthly Giving Chart Annual Income $30,000 $40,000 $50,000 $60,000 $70,000 $80,000 $90,000 $100,000 $125,000 $150,000

Weekly Giving Chart Annual Income $30,000 $40,000 $50,000 $60,000 $70,000 $80,000 $90,000 $100,000 $125,000 $150,000

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OUR STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM - Q&A3 What is Stewardship? It is the faithful and effective use of all the gifts entrusted to us by God. It is a way of life, an attitude. Stewardship is our partnership with God as we thankfully share life’s abundant blessings. Stewardship allows us to acknowledge our blessings and live out our ministry - to nurture our faith in Christ and serve the world God loves. Why a Stewardship Program? The primary goal of this program is to communicate with all members of the congregation about our shared ministry in this congregation to help us determine if we are maximizing the gifts God has made available to us. On a personal level, the program asks each of us to examine the investment we currently make in our faith and the life of our church, in a Spirit-guided, intentional manner. Our program urges us to focus upon all our God-given gifts of time, talent and treasure and to find ways to offer them in new and exciting ways. A program permits our congregational leaders to budget responsibly knowing the anticipated revenues for the year ahead and to manage our time and talent in a respectful and thoughtful manner. Why is our church worthy of your support? This church has nurtured faith and acted on the teachings of Christ for decades. Your participation in this program will lay the foundation for this ministry to thrive and continue. Our congregational leaders pledge to be trustworthy stewards of your faithful offerings. This is the time, with God’s help, when we must achieve more than we can ask or imagine. Why should we consider an increase in our donation? Support for this congregation is in our hands. As a principle of responsible stewardship, we will live within our means, but we will not sit complacently. We will not miss God-given opportunities to do all the good we can. Our Narrative Budget shares our ministry story and in each area we have more dreams to accomplish more. Your increased gift can help bring that dream to life.

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Feel free to use and adapt to your own circumstances. With thanks to St Paul’s, l’Amoreaux Anglican Church, Toronto

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TELLING THE STORY OF YOUR MINISTRY – NARRATIVE BUDGET RESOURCES What is the concept of “Proportional Giving”? In light of the Christian ideal of the tithe (10%), our congregation has adopted the principle of offering a percentage of our bountiful blessings to God’s work in the world as the central tenet for personal financial stewardship. Proportional giving means we are challenged to give first to God, rather than whatever amount is left over. From my treasure, is there a particular amount I should give? This is an individual decision that each person or family makes. All of us need to give thoughtful and serious consideration to contributing regularly and meaningfully. Members of the congregation are encouraged to think prayerfully on what each is called to give and then to make a planned pledge for their level of financial contribution to the congregation. We are asked to give a percentage of our income to the ministry of the church and to review this amount on a regular basis. A chart is available to assist in this decision-making. Why is regular giving important to the Church? Like an ordinary household, the expenses at of the congregation are due day by day and week by week. A clear indication from as many members of the congregation of their regular and intentional offerings will permit our congregational leadership to establish programs and budgets that correspond with the resources we make available to God through the church. What is the best way to make my contribution? Is there a convenient way to give regularly? How can I support the congregation when I can’t attend services? Pre-Authorized Remittance (PAR) is a form of automatic, monthly electronic payment familiar to many people. It is available to you and is a convenient way to make an intentional pledge to support the ongoing work of our congregation. It eliminates the “Who has money for the envelope?” scramble on Sunday morning. It also ensures that our commitment to the congregational family proceeds even when life’s other demands keep us from attendance at worship. If you’d like to sign up for PAR, kindly complete the designated section of the pledge form and provide a void cheque from the account you wish debited.

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TELLING THE STORY OF YOUR MINISTRY – NARRATIVE BUDGET RESOURCES I give my time, talent or treasure to other charities. How does that affect my pledge to this church? Much as God created us unique individuals, our personal time, talent and treasure circumstances vary greatly. Many of us make contributions to various charitable causes as well as to the Church. We must each determine our priorities and responsibilities as befits our households. As you seek to balance these demands with respect to your time, talent and treasure, you are invited to consider making an intentional, proportional offering through your time toward our work in God’s name. How are we being asked to respond to this Stewardship Program? There are three things that are being emphasized. 1) First, you are asked to indicate your intended offering for the next fiscal year on the enclosed pledge sheet. The leadership can provide responsible stewardship when our pledging intentions are made known. It will allow the leadership to budget according to our anticipated revenues and to maximize our human resources. 2) Secondly, you are asked to consider a pre-authorized gift (described above) that provides regular support for the regular expenses that the congregation faces. 3) And thirdly, every member is challenged to give at least X% more this year in light of our plans for ministry in the coming year. Will my pledge be confidential? Yes. The amount you pledge and the amount you give are treated confidentially. The only person who is privy to this information is the envelope secretary. What if my personal circumstances change during the year? If your personal or family circumstances change, you may need to alter your pledge.

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