Frequently Asked Questions
“Who determines how Operating Fund monies are spent?”
Ultimately, this decision is made by the Voters. Every year St. Lorenz Voters are presented with a ministry plan that details anticipated expenditures from the Operating Fund. That Ministry Plan must be approved by our Voters. This can happen either at a Voters’ Assembly or by referendum.
The Ministry Plan is prepared in several stages:
- Personnel costs – a committee appointed by our congregational president recommends salary adjustments to Ministry Council. It then becomes an administrative matter to put the correct figures in the Ministry Plan. This number is 85% of our operating budget.
- Utilities/Insurance – an estimated number based on past experience. This is 7.5% of our operating budget.
- Program expenses – Staff ministry leaders who have responsibility for specific ministry areas meet in May to coordinate anticipated expenses in their respective areas. This accounts for 7.5% of our operating budget.
These numbers, along with income projections, are presented to the Ministry Council and, finally, to the Voters.
Our goal in all this is to do the most effective ministry in the most efficient manner. |