A Really Difficult First...

The Church at Argyle just had a first- but one we can't be very proud of. For the first time in 25 years, we had to cut staff.

For some time we have been reporting that our giving was not meeting our budget needs. For the 2008 financial year, the giving shortfall was about $95,000. This shortfall was handled by cutting ministry budgets, avoiding making expenditures when possible, moving some projects off-budget through special offerings and directed giving, allocating reserves, and cutting out all possible discretionary spending. But, we have exhausted that means of staying afloat. There is nothing discretionary left to cut, and no ministry budget that can be further cut without fully deleting a ministry.

The only two places left within our control to cut (we can't NOT pay the utility bills, the insurance premiums, or the mortgage) are Missions Giving and Salaries.

Missions include our support of the Cooperative Giving Program of the Southern Baptist Convention. The CGP supports overseas and North American missionary efforts, domestic disaster relief, the general work of the Convention, and five Southern Baptist seminaries. We also give to support the Jacksonville Baptist Association which is invaluable in assisting the work of our local churches, including Argyle. We believe strongly that we cannot ask our members to give when we, as a church, are not cheerfully giving to support our own local, national and international efforts. In addition, we give small amounts to several other worthwhile charities and parachurch organizations.

By deciding to not touch Missions Giving, that leaves only Salaries to cut. Pastor Ken has prayed and deliberated for some time over whether this step would be neccessary, and if it was what shape it would take. After meeting recently with the Stewardship Committee, the Deacons and the Corporate Directors, we made the decision to furlough our Ministry Assistant Liz Eddy and our Facilities Custodian Stan Stufflebeam, effective February 15.

Both Stan and Liz have been and are invaluable members of our team. Their absence is going to leave a big hole that the other members of the Staff are going to have to work to fill, hopefully with the help of volunteers. This decision has nothing to do with their job performance, but with our inability to sustain our payroll with the current levels of giving. When God blesses us with an improvement in our giving, we will be quick to bring them back to the staff.

Hal Hunter
Administrator

Bible versions...

Lately we have had several people ask about the translation that Pastor Ken is using in his messages.

For about the past year Pastor Ken has been using the Holman Christian Standard Bible. B&H Publishing (formerly Holman and Boardman) is the publishing arm of the Southern Baptist Convention. Several years ago they commissioned a new translation, and the HCSB version is the result. He likes the combination of easy readability, modern English usage, and adherence to the underlying Hebrew and Greek original texts.

If you would like more information about this version, click here.

The first Wednesday Night Connectiong Point...

was a big success. Over 100 adults and almost 40 kids were here. As always, the meal was suburb. I am convinced there is no BBQ anywhere, from anyone, better than what Chef Leroy serves us. The fellowship was great, and Pastor Ken's presentation was challenging and opened a lot of eyes. He provided some material to take home for further reading and reflection.

We will be doing it again next month. The first Wednesday falls on February 4, so mark your calendars and plan to be with us. We will have sign up sheets in the Welcome Center. If you are bringing kids ages 6th grade and younger, it is especially important you sign them up so Children's Ministry Director Amy Gieger can have adequate workers arranged for the kid's part of the evening. (It's not just childcare; they are doing a growth exercise of their own.)

We also suggest you bring your Bible with you. We will have Pastor Ken's primary scripture references on the screen, but having your Bible with you helps with the context of the references, and to look back to the reference passages during the discussion period.

Hal Hunter
Ministry Pastor

Something new...

is happening beginning Wednesday evening, January 7.

When we did the recent survey, one frequent thing we saw was a desire by a wide range of people to do something more as a body than Sunday morning. Of course, we believe that our various Small Group environments are the best place to deepen community and grow spiritually, but not everyone has yet connected with a suitable group. There are also people who want more opportunity to meet other members of the larger Argyle family socially, and want more opportunity to learn from Pastor Ken.

For all these reasons, we are now doing the Wednesday Night Connecting Point. On the first Wednesday of each month, we will gather for a great family dinner served by Chef Leroy and his Kitchen Elves. Right afterward, we will have an age-graded environment for our kids age 6th grade and younger. Children's Ministry Director Amy Gieger has arranged for a real learning and fun opportunity for our kids; it's not just child care.

While the kids learn in a safe, nurturing place the adults will spend some time with Pastor Ken as he takes us more deeply into his current teaching series. We will also have time to discuss these questions in a more intimate environment with 7 or 8 others. The best part is we promise to be finished promptly at 7:30 pm.

We will begin serving at 6:15, but the doors will be open for coffee and chat at 5:30. Kids can move to their area beginning at 6:30; we will serve until 6:45 and begin the discussion then.

The first menu includes Chef Leroy's World Famous BBQ Pulled Pork dinner, with green beans, baked beans, coleslaw, and assorted drinks and desserts. Adults eat for $4, kids 6th grade and younger only $2.

We have about 115 people on the fix food for me list for January 7, and we are excited about the buzz already developing.

We would love to hear back from you with your ideas and opinions.

Hal Hunter
Ministry Pastor