We held our annual fall Financial Update on November 18th, 2025. If you missed it or wanted to dig deeper, here are some resources:
AI Summary:
Quick recap
The meeting focused on reviewing Horizon Church's financial status and stewardship, including discussions of tithing methods, budget allocations, and the church's commitment to missional giving. The financial review highlighted the congregation's generosity in meeting the 2024 budget, with plans to maintain savings while addressing space constraints and considering future property developments. The conversation ended with discussions about 2025 and 2026 budget projections, including the need to hire additional staff and explore growth opportunities while maintaining financial flexibility for future decisions.
Summary
Church Financial Review Meeting
The meeting began at 8:05, with Tyler introducing the purpose of the financial review meeting, inspired by a partner organization's annual financial review. Tyler mentioned that the meeting would be recorded and slides shared via a link in the chat for participants to follow along. The session aimed to acknowledge the importance of financial contributions to the church and would include opportunities for questions at the end.
Horizon Church Financial Stewardship
The meeting focused on financial stewardship at Horizon Church, with Ryan emphasizing the importance of responsible spending and highlighting the community's generosity in meeting the 2024 budget without using savings. Tyler presented details on various tithing methods, including Tithely, PayPal, and direct bank transfers, and mentioned the success of charitable giving accounts, which contributed over $32,000 in tax-efficient donations. The church also established its first giving match program, which participants were encouraged to explore, and the leadership team was introduced, including paid staff and volunteer positions.
Church Financial Progress and Forecast
The meeting discussed the church's financial status, highlighting a significant increase in giving units and a broader base of contributors compared to the previous year. The congregation is on track to meet the 2024 budget of $435,000, with a forecasted income of $400,000, which includes a reduction in administrative costs and an increase in building-related expenses due to industry-wide rises. The church owns a blue house next to the church, which generates $7,200 annually and is slowly paying off its loan. The financial team, including Andrew and Christina, manages the data on giving, ensuring confidentiality and appreciation for all contributions.
Church Financial Allocations and Missions
The meeting focused on reviewing the church's financial allocations, with Tyler explaining that maintenance and improvements were prioritized based on a building inspector's recommendations. They highlighted that employee costs remained within budget while increases were noted in areas such as retreats, hospitality, and gatherings, all of which were justified by the growing congregation. Tyler also discussed the church's commitment to missional giving, noting that 10% of income is donated to families in need within the community, with several examples shared of how this support made a tangible difference in people's lives.
2025 Budget and Youth Planning
The meeting focused on reviewing the 2025 budget, with Tyler explaining that the projected year end spending is $427K against a budget of $432K, with the remaining amount allocated to savings. Kevin raised a point about sharing stories of how the organization cares for people, which Horizon acknowledged as a valuable suggestion but noted the challenge of not putting pressure on recipients. The discussion concluded with a preview of the 2026 budget, which is projected to have a tithing need of $412K, with a key focus on the need to hire a youth director to support the growing youth group of 15-20 middle and high school students.
Horizon Church Financial Planning Strategy
The meeting focused on Horizon Church's financial planning and future growth needs. The church is considering hiring additional staff, particularly for their middle and high school ministry, and addressing space constraints. They are also planning for future property developments and refinancing of existing loans. The church is currently budgeting for a part-time staff position and has implemented some cost-saving measures, such as hiring paid college students to supplement their volunteer workforce. Horizon Church is actively exploring growth opportunities while being mindful of their financial resources and the need for future investments in facilities and programming.
Horizon's Financial and Facility Planning
The meeting focused on Horizon's financial planning and future building needs. Ryan and Tyler discussed their approach to gathering information about potential options, including the possibility of adding an outside classroom space or repurposing the Blue House for youth activities. They emphasized their desire to maintain financial flexibility for future decisions. The group also explored the potential of selling the Blue House property, though Ryan clarified it would likely only be considered if moving to a larger campus was necessary. The conversation ended with a reminder that the recording would be shared online and a prayer of gratitude for the congregation's support and resources.