Hello Members and Friends of VP,
May and June are important months for Valley Park because of decisions that need to be made. The members of VP elect leaders who manage ministries and budget for the year to come. Following the election of leaders, the leaders are entrusted with responsibility for forming a balanced budget. This budget is then presented to the members for their approval. The new fiscal year begins July 1. Note the following dates for work to be done before then.
Sunday, May 5: Annual Business Meeting: Members Approve Leadership
May 6 to June 15: Deacons form 2019-20 Budget
Sunday, June 16: Deacons post 2019-20 Budget
Sunday, June 30: Annual Budget Meeting – Members Approve Budget
July 1, 2019: New Fiscal Year Begins – July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020
For many people, going to church has nothing to do with establishing priorities for the church and its budget. However, at Valley Park, this is a priority embraced by those who become members of the church. The church is not an organization, but an organism. At Valley Park we prioritize the involvement of every member as vital to the organism.
“There are many ways in which God works in our lives, but it is the same God who does the work in and through all of us who are His. The Holy Spirit displays God’s power through each of us as a means of helping the entire church.“
1 Corinthians 12:6-7, The Living Bible
Our agenda as members of VP for the next two months is therefore among the many things we do to establish a healthy family of God with shared commitment in decision making.
The priorities of Valley Park are managed by Deacons (also translatable as “servants”) who oversee our many ministries/committees. Some of these ministries/committees accomplish the work of serving people directly. Some of these ministries/committees undergird the work of people focused ministries/committees by managing the property and organizational needs of the church.
Because every committee has a ministry focus that benefits the health of the entire church, every member and friend of VP is encouraged to contribute in some way to at least one of the ministries. We even welcome non-members of the church to become involved in at least one of the ministries of the church in order to promote the corporate good of our church family. This reflects our understanding that both members and non-members are part of the Body of Christ at VP whether or not there is a formal commitment to Valley Park as a permanent home.
For any of you interested in serving in one of the ministries of VP, here is a list of our structured ministries in alphabetical order:
Administration: manages the office, giving, bills, property taxes, insurance, and other non-profit needs of the church.
Christian Education: manages the programs and staff committed to spiritual formation.
Hospitality: manages social and refreshment needs of the church.
Missions: manages outreach to local and international communities to make Jesus known.
Property Maintenance: manages all facilities and grounds.
Shepherding: manages visitors, friends and members of the church to make sure they feel loved.
Worship: manages and musical equipment.
It is exciting for me to be part of a church that prioritizes the value of every member in the building of a healthy family of God. I am grateful for the blessing we share in having been entrusted with such a beautiful and productive property useful to the ministries we facilitate. Let us, together, serve the corporate good of VP in the year to come. Let us pray for wisdom to build a healthy ministry that is a light in the community we serve.