For some the word ‘budget’ is a bad word. It is seen as a necessary evil. I believe that runs counter to the values of a faith community. Our commitment to one another and to the mission of Jesus requires resources. Rather than a necessary evil, it is a God-given opportunity!

We trust God has great things in store for this faith community and that the resources needed to be a presence in the downtown community of London will be provided. The kind of giving that will help us meet this budget is the kind of giving that doesn’t need a lot of hype or external pressure; it is the kind of giving that pleases God because it comes from a cheerful giver whose internal bent is toward generosity. And then, when exercised, the discipline of giving shapes us more into the people that God longs for us to be. That is really why we give, because it shapes us! God doesn’t need our money…it is already his anyway! You need to give because it directly combats our natural inclination to believe its all ours. Giving is a spiritual discipline that shapes our hearts and our lives in profound ways. So, sisters and brothers, may you give out of God’s blessing to you, to be a blessing to others and may you find yourself blessed along the way! - Pastor Steve

money follows mission

When there is excitement about what God is doing, his people get on board to join the movement!

mission shapes budget

A budget is far more compelling when it is shaped by the identified mission of a faith community - rather than by tradition, denominational polity or random community asks. As we continue to seek God’s wisdom about who we are and what we are called to our budget will gain focus.

budget provides values

A budget can help establish communal values. There are lots of great causes, but what is central to who we are. Those are discussions we will have in the coming year.

ANNUAL BUDGET2015

mission: London

THE MINISTRY FUND

2014 2015 MINISTRY PROGRAMMING—7%

• CHILDREN AND YOUTH $26,348 $26,042 [wonderkids, GEMS, cadets, youth group…]

• ADULTS $6,400 $6,150 [small groups, seniors, coffee break…]

• WORSHIP $8,060 $13,350 [supplies, leadership training…]

OPERATIONS—35% • FACILITIES $120,561 $119,811

[maintenance, utilities, insurance, cleaning…]

• ADMINISTRATION $18,700 $24,000 [office supplies, technical services…]

• FINANCE $91,794 $103,000 [loan principle and interest payments…]

STAFFING—42% • COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS $271,458 $290,700

[salaries, allowances, insurance…]

MISSIONS—6% • MISSIONARY SUPPORT $3,000 $5,000

[Kapteyn, Chann-Chhay, Speyers…]

• SANCTUARY $3,000 $40,000 [downtown partnership…]

MINISTRY SHARES—10% • DENOMINATIONAL PARTICPATION *$60,000 $70,000

[Classis, Redeemer, Denomination…]

SUB-TOTAL $609,322 $699,053 Less rental income/shared services **$50,000 TOTAL $649,053 *estimated total based on previous years for Ministry Share giving **estimated total based on current rental + Sanctuary rental + shares services

MINISTRY PROGRAMMINGOPERATIONSSTAFFINGMISSIONSMINISTRY SHARES

*Line item budget available upon request in office

We are exploring some changes in our 2015 Ministry Fund to more accurately reflect the financial realities at Talbot Street Church and more precisely articulate our understanding of God’s calling for our faith community. We stand on the foundation of two very dedicated volunteers—Andy Fluit and Roy Dias. As a faith community we are incredibly grateful for all they did to keep the financial wheel turning. Since they desired to step down, we have hired a bookkeeper and are streamlining some of the processes for her sake as well as to give greater clarity to our overall budget. Below are a few highlights of this years budget.

Worship—the increase is due primarily to the movement of line items from facilities (coffee, communion, piano/organ maintenance, and sound equipment) and an extensive organ repair to be done this year.

Facilities—this area is not changing much and while we do not have a roof replacement, there are items to maintain and invest in: the property team is exploring new carpeting in the atrium and a video intercom system with electronic opening for the north entrance. The worship team is exploring some visual/projector upgrades in the sanctuary.

Administration—the cost increase is primarily for a line item to account for money already being spent on providing counselling services.

Finance—the increase is due to adding $15,000 of principle for GROW.

Staffing—there have been several new hires and reworking of job descriptions in this past year. We hope to bring Jeremy Zeyl on full time June 1. Staffing accounts for 42% of our ministry fund; this may seem to be a large amount, but it is below the average for a staff ministry (typically above 50%) and below smaller churches paying a full time pastor.

Missions—there is a large increase in our commitment to Sanctuary financially. However, the $40,000 will come back to Talbot Street Church in the form of rent for their use of the Atrium and the main floor unit of 531 Talbot St. (Ricor is moving at the end of the year). Why give money to get it back? It’s a more honest accounting for both organizations and it solidifies our commitment to Sanctuary and helps them establish a greater sense of identity. Why do this period? We have committed to being a presence in the downtown community. This is one very tangible, meaningful way to demonstrate that commitment. We hope it represents a value and shapes a value in our community. This essentially cost the church $20,000 in loss of potential rental income from an outside source. The Ministry Fund simply supports Sanctuary, who then pays the $20,000 in rent to the Property Budget.

Ministry Shares—what a church commits to in its budget represents what it values! Instead of making ministry shares an optional add-on we are including it in our budget. Just as God asks a tithe (a tenth) of people in terms of their personal resources, we give a tenth to our denomination. It is a way of saying we are a part of something bigger than ourselves, we have sisters and brothers with whom we share ministry causes and to whom we are accountable. Ten percent of our ministry fund will not reach the full amount the denomination asks of us and so we choose to have the full requested amount go to our local group of churches—Classis Chatham and to Redeemer University College and the remainder to our denominational headquarters.

Thank you for your prayerful support of the Ministry Fund. We trust that God has great plans for using Talbot Street Church to advance his kingdom. I am excited about our future together!

Discover Christ & Grow in Him

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JEREMY ZEYL - Will Kapteyn, Council VP, Treasurer

GROW CAMPAIGNWe built it. We all use it. We are blessed by it. We bless others with it. Now, its time to pay for it. • Balance: $1.9 million

Anyone who has visited our church nursery knows what a bright and beautiful space it is. However, this was not always the case. Just a few short years ago the nursery was composed of two dark, cramped rooms, holed away at the back of the church.

We are a faith community who loves children and we are so blessed to have dozens of them in our midst! With the new addition, a nursery transformation was a must. And what a transformation it was! That old, tiny basement corner became a bright and inspiring space with room for the children to run and play; a place full of books and toys and Play-Do and adoring volunteers. In the few years I have been on the nursery team, I have been so blessed to see the commitment and love shown by our nursery volunteers and parents. It takes a special kind of person to wake up early on a Sunday morning and voluntarily submit oneself to what will undoubtedly be the loudest and most chaotic hour of their week. This ministry has confirmed for me that our church is full of such special people. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me." We are a church that takes this message to heart and we are all the richer for it.

London SERVE 2014 was a week I will not forget. God showed up in big and small ways all over the city. I knew at the beginning of the week that it was going to be a powerful week. We were given the opportunity to worship all week with the newly created Sanctuary worship team. Each day I was in awe as I looked around at how so many unique people, from all different walks of life, were placed at our church

that week to serve the hurting and bring praise to our Father. The week helped break down barriers between “us and them.” All of us are loved by the same Lord, saved by the same grace, and here to serve Him with our full potential! I’m so proud that our faith community hosts and supports this powerful ministry!

- Jenna Brouwer, SERVE leader

DIACONAL CAUSESFrom benevolence, to local non-profits, to vocational missionaries…the needs and opportunities are endless. • Desire: Generosity

OUTSIDE THE MINISTRY FUND

The Big Picture Talbot Street Church owns two other properties adjacent to the church building which are self-supporting with rental income. A third property was assimilated into the church property (where the atrium now stands) and is being paid for in the budget. *Amounts owed are YTD

(1) 101 Kent St. Apartments Owe: $174,000 Value: $710,000 (2) 531 Talbot St. Rental Owe: $244,000 Value: $680,000 (3) 529 Talbot St. (now atrium) Owe: $114,000 Value: $0 (4) The Church Facility Owe: $1,928,000 Value: $4,495,000 Total: Owe: $2,460,000 Value: $5,885,000 Net Worth: $3,425,000

(1)

(2)

(3)

- Jennie Hoekstra, Nursery Coordinator

Not just a space, not just an event…a story of God at work.

(4)

* Audited Financial Statements available upon request (in spring of 2015)