Mission Spending Plans
An Explanation of the final 2025 Mission Spending Plan and the Proposed 2026 Plan
As you review the various documents in the 2025 Annual Report and the agenda for the 2026 Congregational Meeting, you will see that both the 2025 and 2026 Mission Spending Plans appear to be in deficit. The final 2025 plan shows a roughly $10,000 deficit, and the proposed 2026 plan estimates an approximate $11,000 deficit. Both of these figures require some unpacking to explain their context.
The apparent deficit in the 2025 Mission Spending Plan is largely the result of the decision to discontinue the Community Food Pack (Food for Kidz) program after the February 2025 event, rather than an actual shortfall in mission funding. As a reminder, the Council was unable to identify new leadership to succeed the exceptional leadership of Gwen and Denny Rubenow, and potential partnerships with outside groups ultimately did not materialize.
Historically, the Food for Kidz program has been fully self‑supporting and has never required funding from the primary congregational budget. Consistent with past practice, grant writing and fundraising for the February 2025 Food for Kidz event began in October 2024 and continued through February 2025. During this period, four grants totaling $5,375 were received, along with $17,793 in donations from individuals, businesses, and churches. These efforts fully funded the February 2025 food pack and resulted in a surplus of $7,300 at the conclusion of the event.
Because no additional fundraising occurred after February 2025—due solely to the planned winding down of the program—the Mission Spending Plan appears to reflect a deficit. In reality, aside from the conclusion of the Food for Kidz program, the Mission Spending Plan for 2025 was roughly balanced.
A feature common to many congregational mission plans is the “gap” between tithe and offering pledges and the proposed spending plan. This has been the case at New Journey in recent years. In 2025, the “faith and growth” estimate was approximately $7,000 when the congregational meeting adopted the plan. For 2026, that estimate is projected to be about $11,000.
As noted, the Food for Kidz program was self‑sustaining. This is also true of the Community Food Pack Program, which is largely funded by a grant from one of our Northeast Valley Consortium partners, along with generous donations from members of New Journey and supporting partners. The “faith and growth” figure represents the estimated difference between pledged income and anticipated administrative and mission expenses for the coming year.
The expectation is that a combination of unpledged donations and careful financial management will keep the Mission Spending Plan roughly in balance, as has been the case in prior years. In a worst‑case scenario, the congregation could draw from the reserve fund, which is invested in certificates of deposit. That fund totals roughly $43,000 and is separate from the remaining portion of the generous gift from Hosea Harkness, which is intended to form the basis of a permanent endowment for the congregation. The reserve fund has not been drawn upon in recent years.
The Council has confidence that the congregation will meet its financial and mission goals. There is, of course, uncertainty related to the timing and cost of calling a new pastor, the decision of whether to renew our building lease (which ends in December 2026), and the usual challenges of predicting inflation, membership changes, and unexpected expenses. Nevertheless, the history of New Journey and our confidence that God will provide for our needs inspires the belief that we will continue to do the Lord’s work and make a meaningful difference in the lives of our members and in the wider community and world.
If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact President Mike Wilson or Treasurer Mike Bartanen. Thank you for your continued support and prayers.
