An Important Message for Clergy, Lay Delegates and
Boards of Directors Regarding 2012 Tithe Assessment Rate

As we begin work on our annual budgeting processes, whether at the local church level or at the denominational level, the Governing Board wants to ensure that every leader is aware of a change being made in the tithe assessment for 2012.  After much discussion, discernment and prayer, the Governing Board has made the decision to keep the Tithe Assessment Rate at 12.5% for an additional year rather than drop it to the 12% rate.  While this was not a decision we came to quickly or easily, it is a necessary one in order to ensure that MCC can continue to develop and roll out the appropriate resources to our local congregations and support the mission of MCC.  The Governing Board is able to make this decision under the MCC Bylaws, which state that the Governing Board is empowered to act on behalf of the General Conference between Conferences.

The Governing Board wants to share our rationale behind this decision to more fully assist local congregations in understanding what their faithfulness at the 12.5% has yielded this year and why we need to have it remain at the same level for an additional year:

• The weak global economy continues to impact MCC, as well as our local congregations.  At a denominational level, actual tithe assessment dollars received from our local churches have steadily declined.  In 2008, total tithe income was almost $2.6M; we are on track to finish 2011 at approximately $1.7M, a decline of 35% year over year.  On a positive note, while pure dollars are down significantly, MCC churches have responded affirmatively in 2011 to the request for timely remittance of  tithe assessment dollars to the denomination, and for that, we thank God and you.

• At a denominational level, we have continued to manage our expenses aggressively and have cut denominational staff by 1/3 since 2008 while continuing to have a wonderfully dedicated staff, who after taking significant pay and benefit cuts, continue to develop and roll out meaningful resources and programs to local congregations.

• In addition to their regular responsibilities, the Senior Leadership Team has produced many outstanding resources for use by local congregations.  The Size, Programming and Stewardship Summits (as well as the soon-to-be-released Worship Summit) have received overwhelmingly positive feedback as we continue to enable, empower and equip our local congregations to meet their challenges.  The denomination has rolled out Leadership programs at various levels, including our first-ever Network Leaders training, continuing the Leadership Mentoring Retreats and  the new Laity Empowered for Active Discipleship (L.E.A.D.) Program, which held its first retreat in August with outstanding results.   Work has already begun with our young adults to bring forth the next generation of MCC leaders.  The first-ever MCC Leadership Mentoring Retreat designed for Young Adults will be held at the end of October. The International Task Force continues their work in developing a comprehensive Global plan to be presented at the 2013 General Conference. The Office of Formation and Leadership Development continues to roll out new educational opportunities for clergy and laity.  These types of outstanding programs and opportunities can not be done without adequate funding.

The Governing Board, along with our Senior Leadership Team, continues to “live within our means” and not spend more money than we have available. In 2010, we ended the year “in the black” for the first time in recent history.  We are on-track to repeat that in 2011, due in large part to the severe cost-cutting measures we have taken.

The Governing Board is laser-focused on developing other sustainable income streams, as well as grants, so that we can move away from total dependence on tithe assessments.  However, it will take time to get there, and to continue our forward momentum, the 12.5% tithe assessment needs to remain in place for another year. Many of our churches have already indicated that they would continue at 12.5% or higher next year, and for that we are very grateful!

Please be assured that this decision was not made lightly by the Governing Board. We recognize and appreciate that these are difficult financial times for everyone, but we would not have made this change if we did not feel that keeping the extra 0.5% would yield significant longer-term benefits to our local churches.  At 43 years old, MCC is continuing to mature as a denomination and continues its forward momentum.  We need to have the funds to do our important work around the world. We can not do that without you and your support!

Over the coming weeks, the Governing Board will be setting up conference calls where we can have open and frank discussions regarding this decision since your voice is an important one.  Please take time to join us for these calls.

May God continue to bless each of you and your congregations abundantly.

The MCC Governing Board

GoverningBoard@MCCchurch.net

Chairperson/Moderator – Rev. Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson
Vice-Chairperson – Rev. Dr. Robert Griffin
Secretary – Bryan Parker
Treasurer – Liz Bisordi
Member – Raquel Benitez-Rojas
Member – Rev. Onetta Brooks
Member – Rev. Tony Freeman
Member – Kareem Murphy
Member – Rev. Dr. Candace Shul

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over,
will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38)