July 02, 2007
Cost Cutters
There was a time when our church newsletter was considered an evangelistic tool and was sent to active, in-active and prospective members. The last several years however, it seems to be dying a slow death. In cost cutting maneuvers the mailing list was purged to reflect mostly active members. Then we went from a weekly to a monthly publication. The most recent change eliminates mailings all together. According to the staff, “… we have decided that since those of you who get the newsletter are actually attending on Sundays that it makes sense to hand out the newsletter rather than mailing it.” While the newsletter may still have a slight pulse, I’ve prepared for its funeral. Look at the money we’re saving.
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Gail;
-----Look at this thing from an accounting perspective. Non-profit bulk mailing rate to cover a mailing of 500 pieces would be $145. Liberally estimated, the cost of a copy machine, folding machine, and computerized addressing station pro-rated over three years of useful service should be about $50 per week. Paper, toner, and other supplies should be controllable to under $15. A couple folks to do the manual duties, maybe five man hours at most, $50. So we should be looking at about $260 per week to produce and distribute the paper. That doesn’t sound like much, on a weekly basis. But annually, that is $13,500.
-----There is a lot of things the church could do with that much money. I am sure the sound system needs maintenance and upkeep. Most likely, there needs to be upgrades to the sound system. You know how important it is to stimulate the senses in a spiritual worship service! Moreover, their desires to build a big, impressive facility are obvious to anyone who will track the history of the church’s financial decisions over the last few years. A $13,500 annual increase in the rate they are saving should put their savings to about $75,000 per year, if all has remained the same since I last attended a business meeting there..
-----Gail, don’t loose sight of how important it is for churches to save and budget in these times of mega-church charm. Mega-buildings, big salaries, multitudes of ministers, and moneyed members electrify the air for the “in” congregation. Never mind respect for each other, the acknowledgment of others, the participation in the lives of others. Such concern for the individual only clutters up the important, unified efforts to attract the young (who have the power and are earning the money.) Individuals are nothing that will benefit the church, unless they have the shape of the church. For individuals must have focus on its needs to build it up into that electrified congregation. In order for us to reach these pinnacles of service, all agreement must be with the leaders, any direction must be from their visions, and the church must be for their shaping. Communication with the individual by letter or radio is certainly secondary to that money flow. Having noticed that the money is not flowing out as much as it is flowing in, maybe the Bible holds the most vivid perspective, “For you say, ‘I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing…’” (Rev 3:17a)
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