Mom was at the house Monday evening. She asked me to explain to her what was going on in Washington and on Wall Street. I provided her with an expert analysis of the entire situation, sharing with her what the future would bring, informing her of what Congress should do . . .
But now I can’t remember anything I told her.
Just kidding.
The truth is, I have very little understanding of what just happened.
I’ve served as a trustee of Covenant College since 1985. It is now well understood by most members of the administration that I struggle greatly to make heads or tails of the financial reports regularly submitted to the Board. It’s all I can do to keep our personal checkbook balanced.
So, as far as our country’s economy is concerned, I have no idea what the future will bring. I’ve lived long enough to know that by the time you read this newsletter article things may have changed significantly for the better . . . or for the worse.
Clearly, we must assume that all that is happening will impact our budget as a church. As a staff we’ve already talked about this possibility. We are doing everything we can think of to keep spending at a minimum.
In our twenty year history we have never failed to make budget. But we are not going to be presumptuous of the Lord’s blessing. As most of you realized from reading the newsletter we are approximately $100,000 behind in our giving. This is not uncharted waters. Giving always lags behind until December. But we realize that those who in the past have given generously at the end of the year, may be hard pressed to do so again this year.
I also realize that by writing such things, some may think that I’m providing excuses for not giving. I don’t think that’s true. I am confident that those who can give, will give as generously as the Lord enables. That’s been true for twenty years, and I believe it will continue to be true this year and in the years to come.
I just want you to know that the staff is not blind to the realities of our present economic circumstances.
The Lord still reigns, and His purposes are yea and amen. He will accomplish in and through us what He intends. And it will be good.
That’s true for us as a church. That’s true for us as business people. That’s true for us as employers and employees. That’s true for us as families.
Now . . . if I could only remember what I told my mother.
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Men and ladies, I hope you plan to be with us this coming Sunday evening, October 5. The men will meet in the sanctuary with Rev. Jim Suddath. The women will meet in Schum Fellowship Hall to hear from Ruth Sisemore.
Pastor Caines