Anticipating God's Faithfulness in 2025 and Beyond

Creating a budget for the church isn’t just about numbers—it’s about vision, purpose, and faithfulness. For many, this process might seem daunting, but it’s actually a powerful way to see how we, as a church, align our resources with our mission. The budget proposal and nominating committee report offer a clear picture of First Baptist Church’s (FBC) goals and the individuals who will help us carry them out in 2025.  I hope you’re able to join us as we vote on these items at the end of our Sunday morning gatherings this week at 9am and 11:15AM.

The budget, in essence, is our purpose on paper. FBC exists to glorify God by sharing the gospel, serving others, building up believers, and worshiping together. This vision for 2025 keeps us focused, even though financial metrics alone don’t measure a church’s health. There are many churches with large budgets and packed pews that miss out on true gospel-centered mission. What matters is how we steward what God entrusts to us.

The parable of the talents in Matthew 25 serves as a guiding principle here. In it, a master commends two servants who wisely invest his resources but rebukes a third servant who does nothing with what he’s given. This parable is about faithfulness—using resources wisely, even when it feels risky. Ministry is often risky and messy, but it’s always worthwhile. A church’s budget should reflect faith-filled, sometimes challenging, decisions that reveal God’s greatness.

As we look to 2025, we have much to celebrate. This year, FBC welcomed new members, baptized over a dozen individuals, and sent more than 70 people on mission trips. We’ve also seen new ministry opportunities, like Heartwork (a performing arts ministry seeking to not only teach kids various skills, but also to show them how to do what they love for Christ), enrich our community.

In 2025, we’re proposing a $1,014,820 budget, up 4.8% from this year, with increased support for missions, disciple-making, and staffing.

Together, we can meet these goals through faithful generosity. As we embrace this budget with confidence and prayer, may our investments in the gospel yield a harvest for years to come.