WE ARE SECOND

The congregation unanimously approved the decision to take out a $750,000 loan to fund the construction of our new facility in 2017. In addition, the congregation voted (nearly unanimously) to take out a $175,000 disaffiliation loan in 2022.

The disaffiliation loan covered the costs associated with exiting our former denomination, which included paying our share of the conference’s unfunded pension liability along with other exit expenses determined by the prior denomination. The congregation discerned that the costs/risks associated with remaining in our prior denomination were greater than the costs of exiting. We believe God will continue to honor and make provision for the needs resulting from our costly and courageous steps of obedience.

To learn more about the disaffiliaton process and costs associated with it, click here.

To learn more about our current denomination, the Global Methodist Church, click here.

Our basic operating budget in 2024 is $394,000. The $800,000 amount in our campaign materials includes a modest increase in 2025 and was rounded up slightly for ease of communication. (2 year campaign, so $394,000 X 2 = $788,000. Rounded up to $800,000).

Our congregation has participated in 5 different capital campaign efforts over the past 20 years. One of our earliest two-fund campaigns (with a smaller congregation) raised over $400,000 and enabled us to pay off the mortgage for our current property years ahead of schedule. Since then, we’ve had multiple three-year, two-fund campaigns that have raised over $350,000. Our We Are Second campaign is taking a two-year, one-fund approach.

We are inviting each member of our Journey family to discern one dollar amount that you will give over the next two years to (1) support our regular operating budget, and (2) pay down debt to free up funds for mission and ministry.

On Sunday April 28th, 2024, we will celebrate our next steps of faith by bringing our completed pledge cards indicating our two-year giving commitment.

Practical Next Steps:

1.Prayerfully discern your two-year giving commitment, which is always open to revision/change.

2.Complete a We Are Second pledge card.

3.Consider automating your pledge by setting up online giving here.

4.Bring your pledge card to celebrate together on Sunday April 28th.

5.Prayerfully prepare to bring your largest offering of the two-year campaign on Sunday May 19th for our First Fruits Offering. (10% of this offering will support local mission partners - see #10 for more info).

If you completed a pledge card in the Fall, we’re so grateful for your prayerful generosity! We Are Second is an opportunity to re-evaluate your current giving commitment, and to discern a two-year giving commitment. We are inviting all to take faithful next steps toward stewardship.

Funds will be distributed by our Leadership Team prioritizing our budget needs, delayed budget needs, debt retirement needs (fixed payments) and debt retirement wants (paying down debt early).

Tithing is the biblical practice of giving 10% of our income to the local church. At Journey, we believe tithing is a great place to begin our giving/stewardship journey and is a loving step of obedience in response to God’s love. “Sacrificial giving” is the goal of our We Are Second campaign. The New Testament principle is that 100% of our money belongs to God so we aim to give as much as we are able to advance the work of God’s Kingdom – even to the point of sacrificing some of our wants or luxuries.

Click here to view an income-based Tithing Chart and potential next steps.

We will begin giving on Sunday May 19th, 2024 when we receive a “First Fruits” offering. The invitation with this offering is to start the campaign off strong with our largest sacrificial gift of the two years. For some, this will simply be the beginning of your new regular giving commitment, which may represent a small increase from past giving. For others, you may be able to make a larger gift by taking from a tax return or savings or some other source, in addition to your new regular giving commitment.

Yes, but our Easter Offering will look a little different than usual! Instead of receiving our traditional Easter offering in 2024, we as a church will tithe 10% of the total FirstFruits offering for We Are Second (to be received on May 19th, view #9 for more info). This collective 10% tithe will support local mission partners in place of our Easter Offering.

We will still receive our annual Christmas Offering in 2024 because it just wouldn’t feel like Christmas at Journey without it!

To learn more about past Easter Offerings, click here.

NO!!! The primary goal for the campaign is for everyone to experience spiritual growth as we listen to and respond obediently to God in new ways. For most of us, surrendering our finances to God will require surrendering our whole lives, and that is what Journey is all about as we connect imperfect people on a journey to be, love and serve like Jesus . . . and multiply by helping others do the same. The Leadership Team of Journey is inviting you to partner with us in pursuing this mission with faithful integrity and stewardship.

This is a tricky question that requires a Yes and No response. In some ways, we do not need more money to grow as a community of disciples who are making disciples. At the same time, some of the ministry we do together requires facilities, staff and resources that cost money. We want to expand both kinds of ministry out of obedience to Jesus.

Because of our partnership with Daily Needs Assistance, our facility is literally being used 7 days a week to serve our community. DNA pays a modest rental fee intended to cover costs related to their use, but Journey is investing sacrificially in this partnership. Additionally, Journey partners with other community ministries, like two weekly Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, that use our facility.

YES! Here are three huge reasons that your pledge card matters.

(1) Every card represents a prayerful decision to take a next step with Jesus.

(2) Every card helps us get a step closer to our $1.1 million goal, which will enable us to fund our next steps as a church family on mission following Jesus.

(3) Our pledge cards help the Leadership Team of Journey plan wisely for the next two years of expanding ministry and mission.

Setting up online giving is practically equivalent to completing a pledge card, but both are helpful for the above reasons.

Click here to set up online giving.

Click here to download a Pledge Card.

First, welcome! We are so glad you are here! You picked a great time to get to know us. God is on the move in exciting ways and we would love to have you join!

There is zero pressure for you to give, but we invite you to prayerfully consider if God is leading you to be part of the Journey family and all He is doing in and around us.

• NextGen Student Ministry Retreats and Events

• Increases in staff salaries and/or hours (which have not been possible in recent years)

• New computer for sound booth (to run slides, videos, etc.)

• Expanding Digital Ministry

• Computers for staff (who are currently using personal computers for work)

• Replace front porch at the parsonage (which is a safety hazard flagged by insurance)

• Replace drive way at parsonage (which is a safety hazard flagged by insurance)

• Reseal church parking lot

• NextGen Check-in software/equipment

• Leadership/Discipleship events for adults

***As it is one of our fastest growing and biggest ministry focuses of We Are Second, click here for more information on NextGen ministries (Nursery - 12th grade).