Stewardship

“Good people do right things for right reasons.” When I became Senior Pastor at Sheridan, some 14 years ago, in my mind I made this my governing principle of ministry, especially stewardship. Honestly, this philosophy (and theology) has never failed.

We experienced two alternative realities, both in the same year. We had the strongest fundraising effort we have ever had in a single year. As members, you have given to keep Sheridan strong in our General Fund, but you also gave sacrificially into our Readiness Fund. Our Outreach Center is complete. Even more, our Outreach Center is completely paid for! Thank you!

The struggle is that our General Fund receipts did not match our General Fund spending. There are understandable reasons for this. We had an inflated number in our General Fund and therefore shifted funds to our Readiness Fund. We also made several improvements to our campus that were needed, now that our facility is more than 20 years old. We needed to get some things done, and we did!

This annual stewardship letter invites you to consider what we have built together. We are so blessed by our facilities, for sure. We are even more blessed by the staff we have assembled and retained. The good news is having a seasoned and experienced, long-serving staff. The hardship behind this is that, in this employment market, retaining staff is expensive. (You may be aware of the changes in compensation legislated in the State of Nebraska.) As we seek to retain who we have, we ask for your prayerful support.

My hope for you, as we work our annual process of stewardship, is that you see your giving as your participation in the amazing ministry of Sheridan. As your pastor, what I ask of you is that you be intentional. I ask that you reflect on your finances in this new year. What do you have to give? What investment can you make to build up others, and how are you going to be built up by your relationship with the church?

Below is our Ministry Opportunity Sheet and Plan for Giving card. I ask that you be intentional, prayerful and thorough. It is my hope that each person completes this process.

“Good people do right things for right reasons.” I trust that you will continue to do good things. And I trust that you will continue to marvel at all the good that comes in and through the ministry of Sheridan.