Follow up on NEC Finances
2010-05-06 15:59 (comments: 3)
Jeff Nicholson
The article addressing the financial challenges facing the NEC has generated more correspondence than any other piece presented in the NEC Communicator. We appreciate this because it to inform, educate and foster greater communication that this organ exists. While some responses have generated more heat than light, in all it demonstrates the love and concern of the wider membership for the welfare of the church and for the advancement and achievement of its mission.
In some ways the correspondence has created a level of misunderstanding as to the true source of our present financial situation. While in no way trying to deflect responsibility for our present plight, a few points of clarification might be helpful in the advancement of the present discussion. The Trans-European Division working policy requires that local conferences should have sufficient funds in its reserve to cover 20% of annual expenditure. This means that the NEC should have reserves in the bank in the region of £800,000. Unfortunately the Conference has never been in a situation of compliance in this regard for years. A reading of the treasurers report presented at the last Conference in 2008 showed that at December 31 2007, the Conference had general reserves of £8,000; a shortfall of some £800,000. The previous time it was almost compliant was at the end of 2003. (Please see page 47 of NEC Session Report) This is not necessarily a sign of lack of proper management by the leadership but rather that our income is not adequate to meet the demands being placed on the Conference by the constituency.
The Conference leadership in making this issue a matter of public discussion is being open and proactive, in the hope that we can work togather and take the necessary steps to remedy this problem. Irresponsible and uninformed comments that suggest that the present leadership has squandered the reserves that have been built up over the years, are not helpful and do not reflect reality.
It is further in the light of the present climate where political leaders are threatening savage austerity cuts that we are saying that a responsible leadership cannot continue to balance its books by depending on a discretionary allowance from the government which might be taken away tomorrow. Furthermore the Gift Aid returns is a bonus income which should be used to develop our infrastructure and support creative new evangelistic initiatives to reach the lost. Rather than getting involved in a blame game however, each true believer must examine his own heart and ask the question; “How diligent am I in my support to build up and advance the kingdom of God. Is the Lord pleased with me?” We must be careful not to be distracted from our true purpose and become focussed on ‘navel gazing’ and fighting one another. The words of Jesus are applicable in this situation; “I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” (John 10:35 NIV) “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:37, 38 (NIV).
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Comment by Paul Haworth | 2010-05-07
Well done Jeff an excellent and direct article. You should have been a Yorkshireman!
Comment by M Thyoka | 2010-05-10
Thank you for the comprehensive article herein.
I am commenting again, mainly because I still feel that the situation has always been dire for a long time (you refer to inability to generate enough reserve funds to cover a fifth of annual expenditure or at most 3 months expenditure). What has made the debacle worse is the fact that the economic woes experienced throughout the world's economic blocks have left everyone tightening up on their out-goings. So, even though faithful members are willing to help they may not have the resources to do so, without security of their jobs or income-generating activities. It is at this point where our faith/trust in God leading in our lives is put to the test. We should all ask for His grace to continue being faithful stewards. This has to be matched with faithful stewardship in any administration in the NEC. No one is apportioning blame to specific administration, as this situation is multifactorial, however, the NEC has not done enough to convince me that all areas have been tightened (pay freeze for employees, reduced/abolishing activities that attract financial burden ie conferences, meetings, outside travel). If this were so, we would have been first at trying to reduce numbers of delegates to the GC2010 session, as a way of commitment to the cause. I wonder whether this is being done.
Lastly, we will continue to pray to God that He guides us through these tough times and indeed, if anything help us to face them with confidence. In the end it all comes down to faithfulness at a personal level, translating in a coperate faithfulness among the community of belivers.
Comment by Annonymous | 2010-05-13
As a slight aside, when our directors are elected, why don't we send them on some budgeting and business management training? Do they learn this stuff in their pastoral training??