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Dear Perry Methodist Church Family,
As we approach the end of another year, I want to express my deep gratitude for your generosity and faithfulness. This has been a pivotal time in our church’s history as we transitioned to Perry Methodist Church, and your commitment has been nothing short of remarkable. Now, as we step boldly into a new chapter, there is much to celebrate and even more to dream about.
There’s an undeniable sense of excitement within our church. God is working in powerful ways, and it shows in all areas of our ministry:
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Our music ministry continues to inspire and uplift.
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Our youth ministry is transforming lives and making disciples of Jesus Christ.
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Our children’s ministry is reaching kids throughout our community with innovative and engaging programs.
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Our missions are making a phenomenal impact, spreading the love of Christ both locally and globally.
Additionally, we’ve made important strides in caring for and improving our facilities. Thanks to the incredible leadership of our Trustees and our new Facility Manager, Mike Klug, our buildings are in better shape than they’ve been in years. Projects like replacing roofs and updating aging windows in the sanctuary with energy-efficient ones ensure that our facilities are not only inviting today but also ready to serve generations to come. These improvements are significant, but they also come with a cost.
Our 2024 budget is $1,541,327.49. Like every household, we face rising costs, and these increases affect every area of our budget. While this figure represents the ministry we are currently sustaining, it doesn’t fully reflect all we need to do to fulfill the vision God has placed before us. If you’ve ever attended a Trustees meeting, you’d know we face significant facility expenses on the horizon. These are not optional—they are necessary investments to ensure that the generations that follow us inherit safe, inviting, and effective spaces for ministry.
When we look at stewardship and finances, I believe we need to shift our perspective. Instead of asking whether we can meet a $1.5 million budget, we should be asking ourselves what God is calling us to do and whether we are giving in a way that reflects His blessings in our lives.
Here’s something to think about: Our church has 425 giving units. If each household gave the biblical standard of 10%, even if they were living at the poverty line of $30,000 annually, we would have a budget of $1,275,000. If each household tithed based on Houston County’s average household income of $76,968, our total giving would more than double our current budget at $3,271,140.
This isn’t about guilt or comparison—it’s about the incredible potential we have to shine the light of Christ in our community and beyond. The truth is, if we trusted God enough to give the minimum He asks, we wouldn’t be stressing about whether we can meet our budget. Instead, we’d be dreaming about how much more we could do to expand His kingdom.
I firmly believe that God has richly blessed this church. Many of us have been blessed with even more than the average household income. The question we must ask ourselves is this: Are we trusting Him with what He has already given us? Are we investing in the future of His church?
This year, I invite you to take a step of faith in your giving. Your financial pledge isn’t just a commitment to a budget—it’s an investment in the lives being changed through our ministries, the community being transformed by God’s love, and the generations that will come after us.
As we head into Thanksgiving and Christmas and begin to turn the calendar to 2025, I know we can all agree that the Lord has brought us through so much this year. I can’t begin to count my blessings. I am deeply grateful for my life, my family, my incredible wife, and all of you. I’m thankful that God has placed us in this community to share the love of Jesus Christ and to invite others to follow Him.
I believe we have a tremendous calling to be a church that is healthy, loving, real, biblical, and truly welcoming to all. That’s why, as your pastor, I want to ask you to pray over the next few weeks about partnering with our church financially. This isn’t just about meeting a budget; it’s about investing in God’s Kingdom and making sure our hearts are fully rooted in Him.
Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” I want to challenge you to follow Christ in the area of your finances. Start by picking a percentage of your income to give—whether it’s 3%, 10%, or even more. If you’re already tithing, maybe it’s time to go beyond that. The point is to connect your giving to the ultimate Giver, the One who blesses us abundantly.
When you pick a percentage instead of an amount, you’re tying your giving to God’s blessings. You’re pausing to reflect on how much He has provided before you write that check or click that give button online. I hope you’ll pray about this, make a commitment, and then submit your pledge. You can do this on Sundays, by mail, or online—whatever works best for you.
Thank you for being part of what God is doing through Perry Methodist Church. Together, let’s ensure that our church continues to proclaim the gospel, make disciples, and transform lives for years to come.
Grace and Peace,
Tom Carruth
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