2025 annual pledge campaign:
Life in Community
Two years ago the Church of the Good Shepherd formulated a Five-Year Plan to reach financial stability while maintaining the important work and ministries of the church. We now embark on the third year of this plan, as a thriving community of believers.
The Five-Year Plan was formulated because it had become clear that we were drawing too much of our operating expenses from our limited investments. Rather than proceeding timidly, attempting to cut ministry and mission in order to achieve financial solvency, we elected to proceed with faith and hope, by boldly mapping out a path toward continued parish growth, progress toward full sustainability, and a dynamic, living ministry. Key investments in 2025 will support these goals, as we
proactively care for our buildings to enable ministry to thrive and flourish
expand our inspiring music ministry through a new chorister program and adult volunteer opportunities, as music continues to be an engine of growth for our parish.
ensure cost-of-living increases for our staff
further reduce our draw on investments and increase the proportion of our rector’s salary funded by the parish (rather than by the diocese)
How do we secure sufficient funds for these needs? Pledged giving is a cornerstone of financial stability in the Episcopal Church. At Good Shepherd, pledged giving has increased significantly over the past several years, and a continued increase is reflected in the third year of our five-year plan. Weekly plate offerings and other donations are essential and much appreciated, but pledged income – money that is promised in advance to the parish by parishioners and friends – affords the parish a stable basis for projecting its annual budget and making future plans. This year we are expecting to bring our pledged giving up to $225,000 (from $185,000 last year). This will require a considerable commitment from our growing congregation, but we believe that it is not just possible, but essential.
One might ask what an appropriate pledge would be. The church's traditional understanding of a tithe, based on scripture, is 10% of our household net income. It also reminds us that all we own comes from God, and that we are simply giving back what he has already given us. Instead of making out a personal budget and giving to the church from what is left over, perhaps one could calculate 10% of net income, set it aside for the church, and then make one's own personal budget. This might seem painful–but it will be made up for by the satisfaction of knowing that we have put God and his ministry before our own needs and preferences. Not everyone can tithe, but many of us can move closer to that goal with our 2025 pledge.
At the Church of the Good Shepherd, Rosemont, we believe that our life in community is supported by God’s abundance, allowing us to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to a growing flock. We believe God is calling us to advance, not to stand still. A static budget is regression; our expanded budget is progress guided by God in service of the gospel of Christ.
Will you join us in making or considerably increasing a pledge towards ministry in 2025? Will you join us in realizing the advancement of God’s mission on Philadelphia’s Main Line and beyond? Thank you!