Clarence, a short, fastidious man, with a pencil thin mustache, was dressed in a dark suit, white shirt and tie. Half-moon, gold-rimmed glasses were perched on the edge of his nose. He pushed the glasses snugly against his nose as he made a notation on a pad of paper.
“Ruth, the good news, or blessing in this, is that while offerings are down, attendance hasn’t slackened. So we can definitely attribute the financial shortfall to the economy,” he reassured her.
Ruth rubbed her temples and smiled morosely. “I kind of figured that, and given the state of the economy, that’s believable. Still, I feel like I’ve let the church down.”
“There is nothing you or Bishop could’ve done differently. We aren’t in serious trouble yet, but we do need to make adjustments so that we don’t have any problems in the near future,” Clarence said.
“I understand what you’re saying.” Ruth nodded. “But the programs here at The Temple serve a great purpose, not only to our members, but to the community at large. It’s going to be hard to choose which ones should be discontinued.”
She leafed through a pile of papers cluttered on the table in front of her. Finally she found the list of social programs. The Temple offered many ministries, which included after-school tutoring, scholarship search services, the boys-at-risk program, and teen parenting classes, to name a few. The preschool classes, babysitting services, food pantry, senior breakfast, and the outings were near and dear to Ruth’s heart.
Before the financial crisis arose, the church had begun exploratory research on establishing an elementary school at The Temple. Now Ruth felt like every milestone she and Bishop had accomplished was in jeopardy.
Clarence couldn’t help but notice the glum expression that overtook her face. “Cheer up, Ruth, the Lord will make a way.” He winked at Ruth. “I have a few tricks up my sleeve. We may not be able to save every single program, but we will give it our best shot. The Lord works in mysterious ways, His wonders to behold.”
“You’re right, Clarence.” Ruth began straightening the table. “My motto is, ‘when the majority come together and are on the same page, much can be accomplished.’ So I’m going to leave this matter in God’s hand and allow Him to guide us.” She patted her Bible, which was in front of her on the table.
“Good choice.” Clarence nodded approvingly as he laid his pencil down on the table. “With that philosophy, you can’t go wrong.” He glanced down at his watch. “Well, we have a little time before the meeting convenes, so let’s continue to go over our plan.”
June walked into Ruth’s office thirty minutes later. “Reverend Ruth, the committee members have started to arrive,” she apprised. “They are in the meeting room, and I’m going to the kitchen to get coffee, cookies, and scones.”
“Thank you, June.” Ruth and Clarence straightened the papers into a tidy batch and stood up.
“Let’s do this,” Clarence said. He squeezed Ruth’s arm. “We’re going to be fine.”
Ruth nodded, saying, “I’m ready. God will be with us.”
She and Clarence greeted the committee members as they filed into the room. Ruth took her seat at the head of the table, with Clarence to her left, and June to her right. Then she greeted the finance committee, which was made up of six men and six women.
After the men and women sat down at the table, Ruth said, “Thank you for coming out this evening.” She made eye contact with each member. “We have an enormous task ahead of us. But with God’s mercy and guidance, I think when we leave here tonight, we will have made great inroads into our financial dilemma. Shall we pray?”
The members joined hands around the high-gloss dark wood square table. Ruth bowed her head. “Heavenly Father, I thank you for waking us up this morning, allowing us to see another day. Bless the members of The Temple and your children all over the world. Lord, bless the people gathered here today at this table. Help us to find the ways and means to help our fellow brothers and sisters as we explore options to keep our ministry programs operational so that we can help your children. These blessings I humbly ask in your son’s name. Amen,” she said ardently.
Resilient choruses of “Amen” echoed in the room.
Closely following Robert’s Rules of Order, June duly noted there was a quorum in attendance. She made a motion for the meeting to begin, which was seconded by Clarence. June passed out the document, and Clarence asked the committee to open it to page two. After speaking on the projected budget for 2003, and the shortfall the church faced, Clarence turned the meeting over to Ruth.
“I hope everyone has been reading the e-mails that June has been sending you over the past month. As Clarence mentioned, The Temple is facing a financial shortfall. Clarence and I,” she said, with her eyes darting to her left, “have been working very closely over the past two months to monitor the situation.”
Brother Nelson raised his hand and stroked his beard. “May I speak?” he asked Clarence, who technically presided over the meeting. Clarence nodded his head. “How much of a shortfall are we talking about?”
“Our operating expenditures on a monthly basis are close to one hundred thousand dollars. In the past, we have usually collected about two hundred thousand a month. So we had a pretty good cushion. But with the economy failing, we’ve been collecting between one hundred and one hundred fifty thousand a month. So we are barely breaking even, and therein lies the problem,” Clarence concluded briefly.
“Oh, my,” Sister Kathleen Long said, placing her hand on her neck. The bangles on her wrist jangled. “I assume that you and Reverend Ruth have verified that attendance isn’t down? Are you sure that a decline in attendance is not the major factor contributing to our shortfall?”
Clarence nodded as he held up the document. “We had the membership committee pull the data for the past two quarters, and that’s not the case. We have in-eluded a chart of attendance, which is exhibit A in your handout.”
“Are we bringing in any new members?” Sister Patrice Henry asked. She was a modest woman, but sharp as a tack. She was employed as a financial planner for one of the top banks in the Chicago area. “In the past, new members have usually equated with more money for the church.”
“That was true in the past,” Ruth interjected. “We’ve been averaging twenty-five new members monthly for the past quarter. None have committed to tithing, and they’ve been giving what I assume to be in accordance with their financial means.”
“Isn’t tithing on the agenda of the sessions that new members are required to attend?” Brother Macio Brown asked.
“Yes, it is,” Ruth confirmed. “But you can’t force people to tithe. Let’s face it, times are hard. People have been losing jobs, gas prices skyrocketed, although the prices have seemed to level off somewhat. The economy has impacted many sectors of life, and, of course, that, in turn, affects the church.”
“That’s true,” Sister Denise Burnett added. “So I suspect our job here tonight is to come up with suggestions on how to save money?” she asked gloomily.
“That is correct.” Ruth’s head dipped up and down. She was about to discuss the utility expense shortfall, when there was a knock at the door. Everyone looked toward it.
Ruth asked, “Who’s there?”
The door opened, and one of the older members of the church, Brother Eddie Duncan, walked slowly inside the room. His shining white cane was grasped tightly in his hand. “Good evening, Reverend Wilcox. I know the finance committee is meeting now, but I have something I want to give to you.”
Brothers Whiting and Layton looked at the man disapprovingly. Then Brother Collins stood up and said, “Brother Duncan, what are you doing here? I know that you’re aware this meeting is closed to church members. We will present our findings to the church at a later date. Why don’t you come back another time?”
The older man’s body stiffened as he looked at Brother Collins, obviously affronted. “I’m here because I think I may have something that may help the church.”
B
rother Whiting looked at Brother Duncan with a superior expression on his face. “Sir, I don’t think you’d be much help here. I have an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago. So trust me when I say that neither I nor any committee member needs your help.”
The look Brother Layton gave the older man telegraphed: “There’s nothing here for you, old man. Your time has come and gone. We can handle this.”
“But I don’t think you understand,” Brother Duncan objected. “I have some crucial information... .”
June stood up and walked over to the elderly man. She took his arm, to lead him out of the room. “The meeting is closed, like Brother Whiting stated. Why don’t you give me the information, or you can make an appointment to see Reverend Wilcox next week, all right? I’m sure she’d be more than happy to see you.”
“See, that’s the problem with young people, you don’t want to listen to your elders,” the old man said in a thin querulous voice. “I have information that can help Reverend Ruth.” Brother Duncan planted his feet and refused to move.
“Brother Duncan, please come with me,” June said firmly as she led the man from the room. “I’ll be right back,” she told the committee as she pulled the door shut.
“Perhaps I should listen to him,” Ruth mused aloud, looking at the closed door. “After all, he was the committee chairperson during my father’s tenure. He obviously had something he considered important to tell us.”
Clarence disagreed. “I beg to differ. If Brother Duncan was head of this committee at one time, then he knows the meeting protocol, and how it’s closed to the members. He shouldn’t have come barging in. Let June handle the matter.”
June returned to the room minutes later. “I apologize for the interruption. Reverend Ruth, Brother Duncan says that he’ll call you soon. He kept insisting that it’s imperative that he talk to you.” She walked to her seat and sat down.
“Okay, where were we?” Ruth asked Clarence.
“I think we should set up another meeting two weeks from today. That will give the committee members time to brainstorm on the issues, and to think of realistic ways we can cut expenses at the church. We have to keep an open mind to the possibility of cutting programs.”
“It’s my prayer that it doesn’t come to that,” Ruth told the committee. Passion resonated in her voice. “With all these bright minds at the table, as Brother Layton so eloquently pointed out, I know we can come up with some long-term solutions to our problem.”
“I have a suggestion before the meeting ends,” Clarence said. “I’d like for three of you to volunteer to form a subgroup, and contact the chairperson or president of each committee and talk with them to see what type of minimal cuts could be made. Or suggest ways to improve the organizations with less money.”
“One of the biggest drains on the church finances is the musical ministry. They are paid salaries. Perhaps we could get them to volunteer their services one Sunday a month. Otherwise, I can see massive cuts being made there. Do we really need so many musicians? We’ve got to work smarter with what we have,” Brother Layton said.
“I would be careful there. The cornerstone of every Baptist church is the musical staff. We must not be hasty about anything without the research first.” Sister Cox looked at Brother Layton scornfully. “We have to be very careful.”
“I disagree,” Brother Layton interjected. “We have organists, pianists, the choir director, and the praise dance team director. Perhaps we need to merge some of those positions and save money there.”
“Then you’re talking about cutting jobs. Until we have a full understanding of the ministries, and the costs associated with the upkeep of them, it’s premature to talk about cuts that could affect the staffs jobs. We’re trying to save money, not cause people to lose their jobs,” Sister Cox countered.
The meeting became heated for a few minutes, before Clarence asked for order. He designated the subcommittee members, and asked that they report their findings in two weeks. He mentioned there were two other items on the agenda to discuss.
Before long, the remaining agenda items were duly discussed and noted. Clarence opened the floor for new business. Ruth informed the committee that she had hired Aron on a temporary basis for James’s position of chief custodian. She also mentioned the building needing repairs.
“With all due respect, Reverend Wilcox, we are possibly facing a deficit. Perhaps you were a bit hasty,” Brother Layton said respectfully. He looked at Brother Whiting and shook his head, as if to say, “Sometimes women don’t get it.”
“I’m the senior minister of this church, Brother Layton, and I’m aware of the rules and bylaws that govern this church. I would hardly put the church in a precarious position, knowing we’re facing a budget shortfall. Mr. Reynolds plans to volunteer his time on a trial basis, so we don’t have to worry about a salary yet. But if he works out, then I will submit his application to the committee for approval,” Ruth responded tersely.
“I apologize if I sounded out of line.” Brother Layton backed down. “Well, maybe if Mr. Reynolds works out, then we can offer him the position with a salary reduction. That would save money.” He removed his suit coat off the back of his chair and slipped it on.
“We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. I plan to talk to James before he leaves, and get an estimate on his monthly expenditures,” Ruth said.
“If there isn’t any other new business, then I make a motion that the meeting be adjourned,” Clarence said. June seconded the motion.
Ruth said a quick prayer for everyone to make it home safely. Then the newly formed subcommittee members chatted among themselves for a while, while the other members gathered their handouts, bade each other good-bye, and dispersed from the room. Twenty minutes later, the room was empty, save for Ruth, Clarence, and June.
The secretary removed paper cups and napkins from the table, and put them into the garbage bin in the corner of the room.
Clarence put his papers into his briefcase, while Ruth put the cap on her fountain pen.
“I think the meeting went well, Ruth, considering the task before us,” Clarence commented as he put on his suit jacket.
“I agree to a certain extent. I felt some of the members presented good ideas. Meanwhile, we’re still in a holding pattern and we have a long way to go,” Ruth lamented. She picked up her stack of documents and held them in the crook of her arm.
“I’m going to straighten up in here and then I’m going home,” June announced. “I’ll see you Sunday, Reverend.”
“Have a blessed weekend, June. Thank you for your help tonight. I really appreciate it.”
“No problem,” June said.
“All things in time, Ruth,” Clarence said, patting her arm. “Budgetary decisions are always stressful. Overall, the meeting went as I expected it would. The committee is up to the task of making and implementing methods that will benefit the church. I think once we have the information we need and it’s compiled, we’ll be in a position to make educated decisions about what our next step will be. It wouldn’t be a bad idea if you mentioned the church’s economic issues to the church members,” he said.
“You don’t think that would be jumping the gun?” Ruth stared at Clarence dubiously. Then they walked toward the door; Ruth turned off the light in the room. She locked the office, and they walked to Ruth’s office.
“I don’t mean to start a panic, but give them a heads-up of what’s going on. Who knows? We may get some good suggestions from them too,” Clarence said.
“I’ll think about it.” She walked into her office and retrieved her briefcase. She turned off the light in her office and returned to the foyer. “I can’t believe it’s already a quarter to nine,” she said to Clarence. “I planned to stop at Sarah’s house on my way home to see Naomi. She came home for the weekend. Maybe, instead, I’ll just wait and see her tomorrow.”
Before long, Ruth and Clarence were inside their vehicles and exiting the parking lot. Clarence was heading ea
st and Ruth west.
As Ruth drove home, she mused on the meeting. She wholeheartedly prayed the finance meeting would come up with creative methods to keep the church’s budget from sinking into the red. She didn’t think she could bear downsizing some of the critical ministries, like the musical one. Ruth felt a moment of regret that she didn’t mention the utility dilemma. She planned to resolve that issue on her own. Even if she had to pay the bills out of her personal funds, and use her love offering temporarily. A love offering is given to the pastor for their personal use. Failure wasn’t in Ruth’s vocabulary, and she vowed the church would operate at full steam during her watch.
Chapter Sixteen
A few hours later following dinner at Sarah and Brian’s house, the women packed food to take to Daniel’s house. Following the meeting, Ruth called Naomi to tell her that she would see her the following day. Brian and Montgomery opted to stay at the house to watch Friday night basketball, which would be airing on ESPN. The Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat were playing in a game that was sure to be a preview of an Eastern Conference play-off game.
As Sarah took her jacket out of the hall closet, she told Brian that she and Naomi wouldn’t be gone too long, and she warned him to take it easy on Montgomery.
Naomi kissed Montgomery’s cheek, and she asked him if he felt comfortable staying with Brian while she was gone. He told her that he would be fine. She reminded him that they still needed to check into the hotel.
Brian said that he and Montgomery would take Maggie to her friend’s house for a sleepover and then go to the Hilton. Then they would return to the house to catch the remainder of the game.
“Good idea,” Sarah said. “Then we don’t have to rush back if things get crazy at Daddy’s house.”
Maggie came downstairs, carrying her overnight bag. “Daddy, I’m ready,” she said.
Letting Misery Go Page 15