Jacob Gerber, Pastor at Harvest Community Church (PCA), in Omaha, Nebraska wrote:
“In college, I took a wonderful class on 19th century British literature. As we were discussing a Jane Austen novel, the professor drew our attention to the constant conversation in the novel about who was making how much money. She observed that, in the 19th century, people spoke constantly about money, even while they never discussed sex. By contrast, our culture speaks incessantly about sex but avoids the topic of money (how much we make and how much we give) at all costs.
In the church, conversations about money can be extremely awkward. We consider our income, and especially our giving, as one of the most private, personal issues in our lives. Further complicating the issue is that the pastor, whose salary depends on the giving of the church, is usually the person who leads those conversations.”
As we are without a senior pastor, this awkward discussion falls to other church leadership, particularly me. I admit I am not comfortable doing so. but I know it’s a conversation that needs to happen.
This past Sunday I talked briefly about the Annual Estimate of Giving. I reminded you that the Annual Estimate of Giving is a tool to assist each of us in planning our giving to the church. I also reminded everyone that the Annual Estimate of Giving is not a donation platform. It does not lock you into giving, nor does it communicate your data to the Tithely platform, which is the portal through which you actually make financial contributions. The Annual Estimate just a way to help you forecast what your giving will look like.
Earlier this year, we asked you to create your Annual Estimate in the RMCC website. Some of you did. But we noticed a problem with the data. During that period, we were adjusting the method that the website gathered the data
for reporting purposes. During that change it appears that some of the estimates that had been created by you did not carry over to the new reporting system.
So, now that the programming glitch has been corrected, we’re asking those who initially created and Annual Estimate of Giving and those who have not yet done so, please create one now. This will help you with an annual picture of how you can support RMCC. And I hope you know that, no matter the amount, every dollar is put to good use in supporting our church home and its ministries.
Create Annual Estimate of Giving Here
As I noted, we are almost halfway through the fiscal year, and I reminded you that our 2026 budget carries a projected shortfall of $91,057. So, we ask that you please look at your household budget and use the Annual Estimate of Giving tool to assist you in determining what you can give. The time is impending that we will need to pay a new senior pastor. I am prayerful and confident that that reality is forthcoming. We must begin to lay the ground for our new Senior Pastor now.
“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” ― Winston Churchill
I sincerely thank you for your consideration and prayers in this matter. Your church family is counting on your continued support.
Bill Russell
Treasurer
RMCC Board of Directors