by Associate Pastor Todd Holdridge

Steve and his wife Stephanie have worshiped at Bethany since 1988, except for a hiatus in Chicago from 1992 to 1998. They have three children; Kendall (12), Carson (9), and Juliette (7). Steve currently serves as elder for Administration, which includes functioning as Bethany’s Treasurer.

Steve, you’ve been the elder for Administration for two years. What was your motivation for doing it?

I was nominated to this position, and it fits my gifts. I’d make a terrible healing prayer elder. But this suits me well. I think of 1 Corinthians 12 -- Paul’s description of the church being made of many different and interdependent parts. I guess I’m the knee (laughs). This is where I fit.

It’s half-way through the year. What does the financial picture look like?

We’re behind, and farther than in past years. Our income is about equal to where it was last year, and our expenses have increased. Because expenses are fairly steady across the seasons, but giving tends to dip mid-year and accelerate at year’s end, we’re always behind at this time of year, but the magnitude of the deficit is greater this year. As of May 31, our giving and other income (2008 year-to-date) was $508,000, and we’ve spent $624,000.

Can you fill this in a bit further? How does our budget compare with previous years?

For the last 8 years, our average budget growth has been about 12% each year. This year’s increase of 5% is pretty modest in that context. Our spending is on pace with our budget, but expenses are still higher than our income. So our income is lagging right now.

What would be your encouragement to the congregation?

The first thing that comes to mind—I truly believe that we experience great freedom in giving. We get so caught up in the cost of things, the energy it takes to manage money, the fear of losing what we have…we can be so controlling with our money. And bottom line, it ends up controlling us. Giving helps free us from the mindset of being at the controls. I don’t want to oversimplify this by saying “give the church your money and your problems will go away.” But there is great freedom in giving—it helps us stay free of certain traps, and helps us give with the right priorities—out of freedom. (Matthew 6:25-34)

Do you have a recommendation for our Bethany community?

I’d ask people to examine their giving, and see if it matches their intentions. We want to plan well for the rest of the year. One of the key tools we have is pledges, and we’d especially ask those who have pledged to consider their giving—and get caught up if they are behind. If they’re not going to meet their pledge, it would be nice to know that, too. Situations change, and we don’t want people to feel boxed-in if their financial situation changes. Likewise, if people haven’t pledged, and want to pledge, we can help with that.

Why don’t we talk much about finances at Bethany?

Raising money is not what the church is about. I’d rather talk about what the Holy Spirit is doing in people’s lives—what God is doing here and around the world. Too much communication (about money) would give it too high a priority, and might cause more alarm than is necessary. But we shouldn’t be silent either; finances enable us to carry out our ministries, so we want to be good stewards as well, and make sure the congregation knows the situation.