Building on a Strong Foundation

In Matthew 7, Jesus tells a powerful story about the importance of building on a strong foundation. Living in Florida, we understand all too well what happens when something is built on sand. We’ve seen the devastation as water washes sand away, leaving destruction in its path. Do you remember why Jesus shared this teaching?

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.” –Matthew 7:24 (NLT)

Jesus’ teaching reminds us that the wisdom of the Bible serves as our guide—not just for our personal lives but for the life of our church as well. Another key principle we find in Scripture is knowing what we have before we start building. In today’s terms: “Don’t spend what you don’t have.”

As a church, we are committed to making wise financial decisions and ensuring we don’t spend beyond our means. That’s why we believe it’s vital to update you, our church family, on our finances as we begin the new year. We’ll also share ways we’re working to use our resources faithfully and effectively.

Transparency in financial matters is a priority for me as your pastor and for the Finance Committee.

If you’re new to the Methodist tradition, you might wonder what the Finance Committee is. It’s a team of elected leaders from our congregation who oversee the budget and guide our church’s financial decisions. The committee includes the chairs of Trustees and Personnel, the Financial Secretary, Treasurer, our Lay Leader, and the Church Council Chair.

Here’s something you might not know:

• All church meetings are open to everyone (members and non-members)—except for Personnel meetings.
• If you see a meeting advertised, you are welcome to attend, ask questions, and share your thoughts. While only committee members can vote, your input is valued.
• Minutes from any meeting are available for you to review.

It’s also important to note that no single person controls the church’s finances. As your pastor, I don’t have authority over the budget or money. My role is to ensure that the correct process is followed and to support our elected leaders in their work.

This Sunday after worship, Chip, our Finance Chair, will provide an important update on our church’s finances. This is your opportunity to learn more about how we’re stewarding the resources God has given us and to ask any questions you may have about the process.

Together, we can build a church that stands on a strong foundation—one that reflects God’s wisdom and ensures His work continues for generations to come.

If you have questions before Sunday, don’t hesitate to ask. I hope to see you there!