Stewardship Report for 5 December 2004

We've had a good push in the last couple of weeks, although we find ourselves still trailing to our goal. Our goal this year was all pledge cards returned and pledges in the amount of $250,000:

Number of pledge cards sent: 235

Pledge cards returned to date: 137

Pledge cards indicating no pledge: 10

Pledge cards returned with pledge: 127

Total amount pledged by 116 current year pledgers: $194,919

Total amount pledged by 11 new pledgers: $18,940

Pledge from trust fund: $3,000

Number of persons increasing pledge: 48
Amount of increase in pledge: $16,591

Number of persons decreasing pledge: 21
Amount of decrease in pledge: $20,233

Overall pledged to date for 2005: $216,859

Current year (2004) total pledge: $233,194

We are $33,141 short of our goal for 2005.

For me, the most troubling thing is not that we are some thirty-thousand dollars away from our goal. What is most troubling is that we have nearly a hundred people & families who haven't returned pledge cards. Early on, I asked that each of us prayerfully consider our stewardship -- that which has been given to us -- and how we would give back to the Church for God's work here in Portsmouth and on earth. Even if we can't pledge a set amount, returning the card is an indication of prayerful consideration about stewardship.

It can't be an every member canvass unless every member participates.