But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Annual Budget
Creating an Annual Budget
Bethlehem establishes funding for its mission and various ministries through a process that includes proposing and adopting an annual budget that passes through many “sieves.”
- Each Fall, the staff and Financial & Property Administrators draft a preliminary budget.
- This draft budget is presented to the elders for their review, adjustment, and approval.
- Once approved, the elders then present the budget to the congregation at the Annual Meeting in December for recommended adoption.
- The congregation adopts the annual budget at the first Quarterly Strategy Meeting in January.
Content of the Annual Budget
Bethlehem’s budget is organized in two broad sections.
Ministry and Operating Expenses
Ministry and Operating categories are traditionally around 70% of the annual budget and include expenses for Pastors and Staff, Building and Property, Family Discipleship, Adult Ministries, Worship and Music, IT, Media, Communications, and Office/Administration.
Outreach and Missions Expenses
We strive to keep Outreach and Missions categories around 30% of the annual budget. They include funding for Global Outreach, Short Term Ministry Mobilization (STMM), Neighborhood Outreach (at all campuses), Campus Outreach, Bethlehem College and Seminary/The Bethlehem Institute, and Church Planting.
At Bethlehem's Annual Meeting held December 20, 2009, the elders presented both an overview and details (both now updated) of the proposed $9.25M 2010 Church & Missions budget. At Bethlehem's Winter Quarterly Strategy meeting held January 24, 2010, the congregation voted to approve the Church & Missions budget for 2010.
If you have additional questions about the Annual Budget, feel free to contact our Lead Pastor for Operations, Jon Grano (612-455-3467).