Stewardship Information

Stewardship:
Christ & Holy Trinity Church welcomes all persons seeking God’s love; we follow Jesus Christ as faith-filled stewards, through worship and service to others.





We would like to remind you that we now have the capability to accept your 2013 pledge online at the CHT Website by clicking HERE.

Christ & Holy Trinity Church
How We Sustain The Mission
Answers to Frequently Asked Stewardship Questions

Q: What is the overall state of Christ & Holy Trinity Church’s financials?
A: CHT’s financial condition remains very good as we have succeeded in maintaining a balanced budget in recent years despite a challenging economy.

• Our staff and lay leaders have budgeted and managed expenses carefully for many years, adapting to our financial environment (See exhibit below). We have held down expenses in years when income was high and cut discretionary expenses as our income declined.
• Our balance sheet contains no debt and includes an endowment of $2 million, which annually provides approximately $130,000 of income to support our operating and property budgets.

Q: What role do Stewardship pledges play in CHT’s financials?
A: Since 2009, Stewardship pledge income has been 70% of total income (see exhibit).

Pledged contributions play a vital role in budgeting. Our members have historically been extremely reliable in fulfilling their pledges, allowing us to budget expenses confidently. Other income sources are far more difficult to forecast, hence our emphasis on the importance of renewing and increasing pledges as much as possible.

Q: How has Stewardship participation changed in recent years?
A: Since 2005, we have received on average 290 pledges from CHT individuals and families. Typically, we add about 50 new families and about 50 families discontinue their pledge .
 
In 2009, during the height of the economic downturn, our pledge total dipped to 253. Our experience in each of the last three campaigns has been encouraging, as the number of new pledges has exceeded the number of families and individuals that discontinued their pledges. We received 274 pledges in 2012 (see exhibit below). Increasing the number  of pledging families and individuals is key our ability to Sustain the Mission of CHT and a major objective of this Stewardship Campaign.

Q: I have never pledged before. What is an appropriate amount to pledge?
A: Rather than suggesting a specific dollar amount or fraction of your income, we encourage you to consider pledging as a spiritual practice as well as a fiscal exercise, balancing your desire to provide meaningful financial support for CHT and its different ministries with your other charitable giving and financial obligations. Pledges of any amount are greatly appreciated and can make a difference to our church and to the broader community we support.
  
Q: How much do other families and individuals pledge?
A: There is considerable breadth in parishioner’s giving to Christ & Holy Trinity.

• In 2012, 80 pledges were less than $1,000; 13 were over $10,000. 
• Half of our 2012 pledges were for less than $1,600 (the “median pledge” amount).
• As many families and individuals have been very generous, our average pledge for 2012 ($3,400) is considerably higher than the median pledge. 

Q: How have the changes in the economy affected how much people pledge?
A: The exhibit below shows the number of pledges we have received in recent years by dollar ranges. The number of pledges of less than $3,000 declined in 2008 and 2009, but the number of larger pledges has been relatively stable.
 

Q: How does CHT create a budget for the upcoming year?
A:  The budget reflects the parish priorities as determined by the Vestry. CHT’s Finance Committee assists in the Vestry in this process by first estimating income for the coming year and major nondiscretionary expanses. 
 
Many aspects of our expense budget reflect our staffing decisions and other relatively fixed obligations.

• Our single largest category is employee compensation, reflecting our commitment to having great staff members in the church who help us Sustain the Mission and taking care of them. 
• We budget the coming year’s Parish Management expenses (utilities, office supplies, minor repairs, maintenance of grounds, etc.) based on our historical experience.
• Our minimum contribution to the Diocese is mandated by Diocesan Convention. 

Stewardship results largely determine how much we can budget for our ministries

• We have historically set aside a portion of our budget for charitable contributions to local organizations that “shelter body and soul”. 
• At the same time, we strive to provide ample financial support for Education, Worship (music and altar supplies) and “Inreach” to the congregation (including child care during worship as well as support for Hospitality and Newcomer Ministry).  We encourage input from the leaders of all ministries as we develop our budget.

The distribution of CHT’s recent expenses is presented below.


Q: How do employee compensation and other expenses relate to services to the parish and our community?
A: CHT’s staff members estimated the distribution of their time in support of our ministry and our commitments to the wider community. We have also estimated how our non-salary expenses might be best attributed to these services. The results are shown below.
 
Our Clergy lead us in inspirational worship service and provide pastoral care for friends and families in times of trial. We support Christian Education through Church School, our children’s choirs, our Youth Ministry and support for CHT’s Preschool. Our budget supports 35 different ministries, providing a vibrant spiritual home for our congregation. In 2012, over 300 meetings for community groups took place in our expanded facilities each month.
 
Your support helps CHT perform all these good works. Please pledge what you can for 2013!