End of Year Need: $362,530

Published December 29, 2020 by SMBC

$362,530 Let's start here - thank you. Really. Between the time you read this and the close of books on December 31, we need to give $362,530 in order to give what we spent in 2020. That is a little more than $120,000 per day. And, I believe we will do it. That is remarkable. More than that, South Main is in a remarkable financial position ? which in itself is astounding given all we've encountered this year. It is clear our position is a result of our faithful giving to the Lord through His church. Back in April, as we were trying to make sense of the shutdown, I began joining a group of Houston pastors on a zoom call each week. The group has been a "grace-gift" to me as its members have chosen to be vulnerable and honest with one another. We've worked together to make sense of a unique year and helped each other by sharing our experiences. We've laughed together, cried together, and prayed and prayed and prayed together this year. Early in the pandemic, several of the pastors in the group were taking significant, cost-saving measures with respect to the churches they lead and predicting they might experience budget shortfalls of 20, 30, 40, or even 50 percent. These are smart folks who know their churches, and I wanted to learn from them. At the same time, I could not imagine our giving changing so dramatically. All through the year I've had faith in our commitment to God's work and you have proven my faith to be well placed. South Main is, simply put, an astonishing congregation. With only days left in the year, I believe we will give at least as much as we have spent in 2020. All by itself, that is amazing, and, if it comes to pass, will position us well for 2021. In fact we may be on better footing entering 2021 than in any year in our church's history. Think about that! In the hardest of days, once again this church has demonstrated its faithfulness and generosity. Having said all this, I?d hasten to add that if your financial situation prevents you from giving, please call Greg or me - not so we can work on making the budget, but so we can pray for and with you in difficult days. If you are in need of financial assistance, we will do our best to respond. Please know you are not alone. Finally, if you have the capacity to complete your commitment this year or give an additional gift between now and the end of the year, those gifts will make all the difference as we restart our on-campus ministries in 2021. As you know, I like to say, ?you are never more like Jesus than when you share.? Your sharing this year has been Christ-like indeed. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. grace and truth,Steve PS ? If you are going to give online this week and want to count the gift on your 2020 taxes, please give through our church's giving page (www.smbc.org/giving). If you use your bank site, they may not process the gift until January. We can still apply that money to the 2020 budget, but it will count toward your 2021 taxes. You can also put a check in the mail so long as it is postmarked by December 31. If you need to deliver a check on the 31st, call or email any of the ministers. We'll come pick it up!