The 2004 Proposed Ministry Spending Plan


From the Open Files of:

NW Synod of Wisconsin Resource Center, (715) 833-1153

Contributed by:

Mount Zion Lutheran Church, Hudson, WI

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The 2004 Proposed Ministry Spending Plan for Mount Zion Lutheran Church
First Iteration - 11/12/03

Statement of Vision: Inspired by the word and the Spirit of Jesus, we use and refine our God given talents to nurture our church family so we reach out and nurture others.

Message from Pastor

TOTAL MINISTRY SPENDING PLAN FOR 2004 - $161,758
(This represents an overall 11% increase from last year's spending projection)

OUTREACH MINISTRY (MISSION) $1,826 Benevolence
" If anyone has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and refuses to help - how can God's love be in that person?" 1 John 3:17

Just as we teach our people to experience the joy of giving and growing in Christ, so does Mount Zion experience blessing and joy through greater generosity. We have started small but plan to increase our benevolence over the next few years. Our benevolence to the synod helps us heed the call from Jesus: "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me" Matthew 5:40. Mount Zion reaches out to the "least of these" in Wisconsin and around the world by feeding the poor, clothing the naked, and treating the sick.

Ministry Highlights: We again have given our time freely to support those in need through the following: Salvation Army, Prayer Chain, Crossroads Banquet, Giving Tree, Alley Shop, UNICEF trick or treaters, making and delivering quilts, Grace Place and Faith House volunteers, and visitations with home bounds. The Northwest Synod of Wisconsin and the Churchwide expression of the ELCA combine our offering with those of congregations and individuals throughout the church to maximize the impact of every dollar contribution. The Salvation Army helped over 2000 people in St. Croix County last year. Our bell ringing efforts helped those 2000 people.

WORSHIP & MUSIC $1,100
" For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth." John 4:24
" I will sing for joy for what the Lord has done."
Psalm 92:4b

The worship service is where the majority of our family members experience the word and sacraments that equip them to live their baptismal faith in family life. Mount Zion is dedicated to providing varied, nurturing worship services that welcome the young and the old, the new Christian and the seasoned believer, the traditionalist and the adventurist. God's grace is large enough to accommodate all people and joyful enough to make worship a time of spirited celebration.

Ministry Highlights: Mount Zion provides worship services that meet the needs of most people. There is a Junior Choir for the youth and a Senior Choir for adult vocalists. Mount Zion enjoys a musical sermon twice a year from our Senior Choir and a beautiful Christmas concert from the Junior Choir. After service fellowship, nursery, church library and seasonal decorating are all ministries of Worship and Music. There are opportunities for members to get involved with services as ushers, altar guild and acolytes. Memorial gifts are also handled through Worship and Music. Flowers are provided as a ministry during holidays and special services are planned during the year. Each area of Worship and Music provides an opportunity for members to serve their church through volunteer service.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION - $1,400
" So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ." Romans 10:17

Christian education is the foundation for living a daily life as is emphasized in our Vision Statement. Mount Zion has focused on educational opportunities for people of all ages and all levels of spiritual awareness. Included in this ministry category are: Sunday Church School, Parish Education, Confirmation, Church Library, Family Ministry, Educational Publications.
Ministry Highlights: We began a new Sunday School Curriculum for ages 3 through 9th grade, in which the children rotate through 3 or 4 stations (How Great Thou Art, Psalm Cinema, Prophet's Place, and Our Daily Bread) while reviewing the same story or idea. A memory verse is always chosen for each set of lessons. Kid's Church Puppet Ministry provides both an introduction and a wrap-up of each set of lessons. We also provide the 5th graders with their bibles prior to their starting first communion class. A Cradle Roll is kept, and when a child is born information is sent to the parents. And of course, the 7th, 8th and 9th grade students receive their confirmation education.

EVANGELISM/SOCIAL CONCERNS MINISTRIES - $1,252
" Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the son and the Holy Spirit." Matthew 28:19

Our Statement of Vision specifically refers to reaching out to our community. We invite the community to use our building for various functions, such as PAV, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, AA, and Salvation Army. We work hard to make our worship services and education/fellowship activities attractive to those who are not yet one of our family while staying true to our values and theology. It is through these ministries that people know about Mount Zion.

Ministry Highlights: Living Nativity, Food Shelves, Christmas and Easter Community Puppet Shows, Crossroads banquets, Alley shop, Quilts.

FELLOWSHIP MINISTRIES - $500
" If we are living in the light of God's presence, just as Christ is, then we have fellowship with each other." 1 John 1:7

Mount Zion is a place to grow in Christ. Much of our growth happens by our interaction with other members of this family of faith. We call this fellowship. Sometimes we are serious as we discuss and share life's more traumatic times. Sometimes we are contemplative as we share life's mysteries and complexities. And sometimes we are near giddy with laughter as we share life's more lighthearted and poignant times. Adult Fellowship and Youth Ministry are included here.

Ministry Highlights: Both adults and youth have many fellowship opportunities at Mount Zion. Soup and Sandwich dinners are held at church before the Lenten services, while Sinner's Dinner Groups meet in small groups at member homes. Three WELCA circles are very active, meeting monthly. The Men's Group and the quilting group are opportunities to combine service work with fellowship. The youth have enjoyed Open Basement every Wednesday night, along with a Mission Trip to Siren, and middle school dances. The Senior High youth have a once a month coffee shop called The Enlightenment Café - The Home of Hopes, Dreams and Coffee Beans.

STEWARDSHIP MINISTRIES - $500
" Don't forget to do good and to share what you have with those in need, for such sacrifices are very pleasing to God." Hebrews 13:16

Mount Zion's stewardship has gone through a rebirth with a major emphasis that matches our Vision Statement objectives, teaching people to live Christ centered lives.

Ministry Highlights: Our primary goal will be to establish a Mission Resource Team of at least five people. Using our Vision Statement, "…we use and refine our God given talents to nurture our church family…" as a guide, this Team will look to accomplish three tasks. First, to utilize the gifts our parishioners are willing to share through their Time and Talent Forms and Gifts Assessments. Second, to emphasize Stewardship as a year-round practice in our daily lives through once a month Sunday focus. And third, to establish a Planned Gifts Program.

ADMINISTRATION - $15,900
" If the master returns and finds the servant had done a good job, there will be a reward. I assure you, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns." Matthew 24:46-47

Like any well run organization, Mount Zion needs the equipment, supplies, telephone, fax, email service, printing and postage, etc. to be effective in its ministry. Administration also includes line of credit debt repayment.

Ministry Highlights: Member Support, newsletters, bulletins, communications in general, repayment of line of credit which allowed our ministries to carry on.

CHURCH HOME - $36,600
" Then all the people gave a great shout, praising the Lord because the foundation of the Lord's Temple had been laid." Ezra 3:11b

Our parsonage is in need of repair in preparation for our new Pastor. Money to pay utilities, lawn upkeep, insurance for Mount Zion and the parsonage, general church repairs and maintenance are included.

Ministry Highlights: This is our Church home and Parsonage, which are extensions of our members, for some a life saving station, a Christian gathering place for young and old.

COMPENSATION PACKAGES - $102,680
" Remember your leaders and honor those who first taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and trust the Lord as they do." Hebrews 13:7

We are grateful to the people who make the vision of Mount Zion come alive through their talent and dedicated call to serve. The work is great and the labor, while compensated, is still an act of love and sacrifice.

Ministry Highlights: Nurturing of the congregation, spiritual leadership, music direction, youth direction and Sunday School program development, confirmation preparation and delivery.


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