Special Members' Meeting

UPDATE: The Motion did not carry.

July 25th, 2010

*For those of you not in attendance Sunday, the following announcement was distributed concerning a special called members’ meeting scheduled for Sunday July 25th, immediately after the morning service.

Due to the decrease in giving to the General Fund, a change is being suggested to increase funds available to our primary ministries. This topic has been discussed in the church newsletter, in Deacon’s Meetings, in Church Council and in the June Members’ Meeting. We will have a brief time of discussion, then proceed with a congregational vote.

Dear Beloved,

As pastor of Sardis Baptist Church it is my primary role to preach the Word of God, call our people to holiness, and motivate the church to service and mission. I do that in a number of ways such as being an example to the church, preaching, teaching, writing, gospel-sharing, personal counseling, public speaking and mission trips. All I want to do with my life is advance the kingdom of God, in virtually everything I do.

For that purpose we will have a special called meeting on July 25th, 2010 immediately after the morning service to vote on a way I propose to do that through serving in a local Christian school as s teacher. I have written about this in a previous newsletter, discussed it in Deacon and Church Council meetings, and presented it in the June Members’s meeting. We will have time to answer a few questions and then vote. I will abide by the decision of the church. But, I pray that before you make your decision on the motion you will read this document prayerfully and contact me with any questions you may have.

It is not my intent to cause an uproar, to weaken the church, to create hostilities, or to guilt anyone into making a decision. I just want to present what I believe is a God-given opportunity for our church, knowing it is ultimately the congregation’s decision as to whether we pursue this together.

I ask that you read this document prayerfully, intent on seeking what God would say to this matter.

MOTION TO THE CHURCH:

The church will allow Pastor Ken to serve as a teacher in a local Christian school, Faith Christian Academy located in Waynesboro for the school year August 17th, 2010 – May 27th, 2011. (www.fcawaynesboro.com)

If accepted the salary line item for Pastor Ken would decrease by $12,000. The Social Security Offset line item and the Retirement contribution would adjust downward accordingly, resulting in nearly $14,000 savings to the church for the budget year.

DISCUSSION:

I am making this proposal for three primary reasons:

1. The decreasing giving to our General Fund requires us to make significant budget cuts.

Our church, like many households and businesses must adjust to changing financial conditions but still continue pursuing its mission. We exist to make disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.

In order to make disciples we must minister. Doing ministry requires funding.

At this time I believe we need to increase our ministry to counteract the decrease in attendance, service and giving. Lowering the amount of the budget dedicated to Senior Pastor compensation frees up more money to actually increase spending on other ministries such as Children, Youth and Sunday School.

2. I want to do everything I can to advance the kingdom of God, through our church.

It should be the desire of every Christian and every church to reach more and more people. That is why we do missions and outreach. That’s why we invite people to church and why we share the Gospel, that more and more people would submit to the rule of Christ in their lives.

This requires intentionality, action and sacrifice, which leads to the third purpose.

3. Ministry in a Christian school is an extension of the call to make disciples.

By serving in a Christian school I can have a direct impact on the lives of young people and their parents that I would not have through our church. Daily interaction with young people, which includes the Word of God and helping them develop a Christian worldview is discipleship. What better way to spend my time, as a Christian, than directly making disciples.

In a very real sense, my service in a Christian school would be an extension of my personal pastoral ministry, and therefore an extension of our church’s ministry. I would be a sort of “missionary” to the Waynesboro area from Sardis Baptist church.

Other considerations:

Sardis Baptist Church will remain my primary ministry venue, and Sardis, GA will remain my primary ministry field, second to my wife and daughter.

Many churches in our area are bi-vocational and do great ministry because they have a motivated volunteer base that shares the load, which is biblical. (See Ephesians 4:11-13)

Serving in a Christian school is compatible with ministry in a local church where evenings and weekends are free, as are holidays and summers.

We have a number of retired deacons who can handle emergencies that may arise if I am not immediately available.

Funerals are a concern of some. Thankfully, funerals are an infrequent occurrence, but I will avail myself as needed to our families.

Currently, the majority of my personal ministry to our flock and other leaders occurs on weekends and evenings, and this will not change.

School Holidays

• September 6, 2010 (Labor Day)
• October 22, 2010
• November 23-26, 2010 (Thanksgiving holidays)
• December 20, 2010 – January 2, 2011 (Christmas break)
• January 17, 2011
• February 21, 2011
• April 4-8, 2011 (Spring Break)
• April 22, 2011

If you have questions or concerns please contact me.

My cell phone number is (706) 551-2833. My email is pastor [at] sardisbaptist1803 [dot] oh are gee.

His servant, and yours,

Ken Nichols