A conversation with Executive Minister Dean Senglaub.

Our younger generations in particular may not be as steeped in a church background. Do you think everyone realizes that the only source of income for a church is giving?

I don’t know that everyone knows that, or considers it when they think about overall use of their resources. I think that is changing as time goes on, which makes it a challenge for the church and for other organizations that need to say, “What does this look like going forward?”

It’s a hard thing because we need to communicate that reliance, yet our pastors don’t want to be up there every week talking about it.

In my experience, listening to Pastor Luke and his sermons, he will wrap it in. But it’s not necessarily, “I’m going to preach on tithing because we’re this far behind in giving.” It’s just one of the things he covers from Scripture.

You used the term “tithing” there. It’s not something we emphasize a lot. Do you consider that to be 10 percent? Something different?

I don’t know that the New Testament defines it. The Old Testament, I think, was pretty clear. But, the New Testament, the New Covenant, I think says we need to support the church. Some of us are in positions, and our hearts tell us, that we’re going to give what we can. We’re going to give more than that 10 percent. So I think it’s giving as you are led to give.

Let’s talk about some specifics in giving to First Free, because there are different funds. When somebody gives cash, or a check that’s undesignated, where does the money go?

That goes into the General Fund, which really funds all operations of the church. When the congregation approves a budget, the biggest chunk of that is in the General Fund. So that’s anything from staff salaries and expenses associated with that, facilities, utilities, insurances, outreaches, all those types of things.

But it’s all tied to a budget. We budget how much the anticipated tithing and giving is going to be each year. And then we set spending accordingly. 

Then there are two other funds that individuals can give to. The second is the Missions Fund, and that goes to our Global Outreach team. We have a number of missionaries whom we as a church support. The Missions Fund is used to fund the support for them as well as projects that may come up during the course of the year. 

The money that’s given to missions is separate and can only be used by the Global Outreach team (formerly called the Missions Commission).

Are the Reach Rockford ministries included in Missions, or is that General?

The Reach Rockford Ministry funding comes out of the General Fund.  Reach Rockford supports a number of local organizations such as Rockford Rescue Mission, Carpenter’s Place, Rockford Youth For Christ and Rockford Area Pregnancy Care Center among others.

So there’s Missions and General. What’s the third one?

The Capital Fund, which is used for larger projects. Many of these projects are facility related. Typically it’s for projects that exceed $5,000, and typically item-related.

So for example, right now we’re replacing the sound board for the Sanctuary, and the price tag for this piece of equipment is just over $60,000. The one we have is about 12 years old and is no longer supported and has been having issues.  A new sound board is on order. This church facility we are blessed with is over 40 years old. Forty-year-old facilities need updates.  One of the projects currently being worked on is the updating of some of the heating, ventilating and air conditioning units (HVAC).  In many cases, these units are beyond their expected life and some have been failing. The plan is to replace a number of these units in the near future.   

There’s Benevolence too, right? Is that another separate category?

There is a Benevolence Committee tied to our Shepherding Elders. And when there are needs identified for members or regular attenders who have found themselves in financial need, or other needs that fit our guidelines, we can assist as a church family through the Benevolence Fund.

Sasha Pogwizd is our starting point for requests. That, I think, is an area that could be better communicated—that we do have a Benevolence Fund available for those types of needs.

Do I have this correct: When giving is designated—like if someone gives to the Missions Fund—then that money may only be used for missions?

That is correct.

But if it says General Fund, or is not designated?

Then it goes into the big pool, if you will.

So if someone wants to give wherever the need is greatest, then the General Fund would be the best way to do that?

Yes, unless in their heart they specifically want to support missions, or they really want to make sure we have the resources needed to maintain our church facility.  So some people choose to divide their giving and specify the amount and funds. We have a number of faithful members who do that. The majority of the giving however goes into the General Fund.

So the General Fund could theoretically still be used for missions or wherever the need is. And that’s determined by …?

Budgets. Each ministry comes up with their budget and their needs. Then that goes to the Executive Elders. They’re looking at balancing what the requests are from the staff with what the projected giving is going to be. The elders do a review and come up with an overall proposed budget, which is presented to the membership for approval.

Some churches ask their members for a giving pledge at the start of a year. That can give a church a much better idea of its budget projections. We don’t do that here. Do we just rely on past patterns … and faith?

Exactly. A lot of prayer takes place during the budgeting process. You can have a year where giving was down, but yet there are these wonderful outreach or other opportunities that the staff would like to undertake. And we also want to continue to care for staff. And even though the giving trend doesn’t necessarily say this, in faith and prayer we’re saying, no, we’re not going to follow that trend. We’re going to pray and believe that the Lord is going to provide. And it’s amazing how many times that happens.

We do monitor spending, of course. And if the giving doesn’t come in line with where the budget said it would, we’ll review the budgeted spending for the rest of the year, discuss options with the staff and make adjustments accordingly. Fortunately, we’re often blessed that those conversations don’t have to take place. We’ve got a staff that doesn’t needlessly spend. I’ve worked in organizations where if you have a budget, you’d better spend it. The team here is more, “I’ll spend it if I need to spend it.”

Anything else on this subject of giving that you wish more people knew or would think about?

Prayerfully consider how the Lord has blessed you. And the church is his bride, and we need to support it to do his work.

There’s just joy in generosity, too. I think maybe that gets lost sometimes in our culture. But you see even psychological studies that show how generous people are happier people.

 Yes and the Lord multiplies what we give. I’ve seen that so often.