Thank you for your support over the years!  Having been re-elected at our recent Annual Meeting, I am grateful for the privilege of serving in this role for another 5 years. Going forward, I am going to be asking for your help. I'm starting out this note to you by letting you know that I am asking for financial support as we come to the end of our fiscal year. Normally, this would come after I've shared all the things we are doing, but this time I just want to say it right up front and get it out of the way!  As you know, our annual budget to staff and run our office operation is not large - we're about as lean as any organization serving 90 churches can be. But, we exist to serve you only to the extent that you choose to fund our efforts. There's really no other way to say it - I need your support. We are in this together. 

 

     The role of CNW is to help start and strengthen churches in the Northwest and beyond. In addition to leading that effort, my personal ministry is to maximize and mobilize leaders. The combination of those ministries leads to a full plate of dealing with church conflicts, church transitions, exploring opportunities, evaluating people for ministry, meetings, traveling to meetings, writing, talking, listening, listening and more listening. And sometimes even some advice.

 

     The above activity represents just a portion of the work that we spend huge chunks of our time working with every week. When the conflicts or challenges arise, they never happen on schedule. Often the person/church involved never thought they would need the help of the Converge office. I want you to know something, though...I love it.  I don't love the pain that you as leaders go through, but I was made to do what I do. It doesn't bother me to get that phone call, or to go the extra mile to help a church stay in the game. I wouldn't have it any other way, actually.

 

     But, the truth is, I can't do the work you need me to do without the funds to make it possible. I would love to learn how to be a master fundraiser. Maybe I will. For now, let the journey start with this first step of asking.

 

     As we come to the final weeks of our fiscal year, I am asking that you consider an end of year gift(s) to help us finish the year strong.  If every one of our churches gave an additional $500 by the end of the year, we would hit our giving target for 2013.

 

    You have asked me to lead you. Now, I am asking you to make it possible.

 

     Sometime in the next few weeks, would you consider one or more of the following responses:

• An initial or additional $500.00 gift to CNW to help us finish this year on the right side of our income needs;

• A special offering gift to CNW Church Planting to help us complete our matching grant for church planting. We need $9,800 to complete the $25,000 match by the end of this year; or 

• A regular, monthly support amount to CNW at a level that your church can both afford and feel good about.

     I am honored to be your Executive Minister, and look forward to what God will do as we continue to reach people in the Northwest, who are far from Him.

 

In His Grace,

 

Steve Welling

Executive Minister