Overview

We give thanks to God for another year of faithfulness, provision, and steady growth in the life of Christ Church. As a parish, we are learning what it means to be with, become like, and live like Jesus not only in worship and community, but also in the way we steward the resources entrusted to us for the sake of God’s kingdom.

Christ Church finished the year with a net income of $3,028 after intentionally investing reserve funds to expand our worship and restructure our Christian Formation department, reflecting our commitment to steward resources prayerfully for ministry while preserving long-term financial stability.

Giving and Operating Results

The generosity of this community continues to be a profound testimony to God’s work among us. In 2025, pledges and offerings totaled $1,511,616, exceeding budget by $104,408 (7%) and surpassing 2024 giving by $90,982 (6%). Of this total, $534,447 (35%) was given online and $977,169 (65%) was given by cash or check, reflecting a healthy mix of giving methods across the parish. Together, these patterns point to both growth and consistency across generations and giving practices, providing a strong and stable foundation for ministry throughout the year.

In addition to supporting the ministries of Christ Church, the parish remained committed to generosity beyond our walls in 2025. Over the course of the year, Christ Church gave $148,757 to Outreach partners and ministries and $144,782 to the Diocese, reflecting our shared life within the wider Church and our ongoing investment in God’s work in our city and beyond.

Use of Reserves for Worship & Formation Expansion

The Vestry authorized the use of up to $298,000 from reserves to support specific initiatives in 2025. In practice, we used $118,664 of reserve funds to support the expansion of our worship and formation ministries. This intentional investment strengthened the parish’s shared life of worship and formation while preserving long-term financial health.

Over the past three years, Christ Church has used reserve funds strategically to invest in ministry growth; first through program staff expansion (2023–2024) and most recently through worship and formation expansion (2025). Reserves have not been used to cover routine operating shortfalls, but to catalyze growth in the life of the parish.

Reserves, Stability, and Financial Health

At the end of the year, Christ Church held $1.657 million in operating reserves. Of this amount, $888,772 is designated as a six-month operating reserve, calculated based on the approved 2026 operating budget. This means the church could continue operating for approximately six months even in the event of a total disruption in income.

The remaining reserve funds, approximately $768,000, are available for missional initiatives aligned with the parish’s strategic plan. These funds are prayerfully held to support future ministry, formation, and growth. At year-end, operating cash and designated funds totaled $3,028,851, and total net assets stood at $4,146,855. Together these figures reflect a parish that is financially stable, responsibly governed, and positioned for long-term faithfulness.

Ministry Highlights

Treasureland Preschool

Treasureland Preschool is a ministry of the church and finished 2025 with a net income of $79,745, driven by strong enrollment, unexpected grant support, and careful expense management. Under the faithful leadership of Director Mindy Tipton, Treasureland continues to bless families, form children, and serve as a vital outreach ministry of Christ Church.This positive net income directly supported the church’s overall operations in 2025, reflecting the shared life and mutual flourishing of our ministries.

The Narthex Project

2025 marked the second year of The Narthex Project, funded by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. We budgeted $167,098 for the year and spent $166,657, resulting in a small surplus of $441. This careful stewardship reflects our commitment to transparency, accountability, and excellence in grant-funded ministry.

Personnel and Staffing Transitions

This was a year of meaningful transition and renewal in our staff team. We gave thanks for the faithful ministry of Fr. John Wengrovius, who officially retired at the end of the year after three years of service in our parish. Over the summer, we welcomed Christian Schell as our new Children, Youth, and Family Director and Katie Rush as our Children’s Ministry Coordinator, strengthening our investment in the spiritual formation of the next generation. Looking ahead, we are also grateful for continuity in our worship leadership. Our Interim Music Director, Chris Bendrell, will transition into the permanent role of Music Director at the start of 2026. One of his first priorities will be securing a part-time organist to support our Sunday worship, strengthening the musical and liturgical life of the parish for years to come.

Looking Ahead to 2026

The 2026 budget includes the planned use of $82,000 in reserves for missional initiatives. This reflects continued progress in our multi-year budget deficit reduction plan. Two important financial steps were taken to provide relief and long-term sustainability:

1. Recognizing Treasureland net income as part of church operations, aligning our financial reporting with the reality of our shared ministry.

2. Reducing the diocesan allocation from 10% to 4% in 2026, with a commitment to add back one percentage point each year until we return to the full 10% by 2032.

These measures are not a retreat, but strategy as we create space for growth while remaining committed to generosity, accountability, and mission. Even as we make these adjustments, our allocation to Outreach will remain at 10% of tithes and offerings, affirming the parish’s ongoing commitment to mission beyond our walls.

Gratitude

This work is never done alone. I am deeply grateful for the faithful service of our Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Finance Committee, Vestry, clergy, and staff, who continue to steward Christ Church’s resources with prayer, wisdom, and care. Above all, we give thanks to God, from whom all blessings flow, and to the people of Christ Church whose generosity makes this ministry possible.

As we continue to be with, become like, and live like Jesus, we do so with confidence, hope, and gratitude for all that God has done and all that is still to come.

Finance Report