Financial Update

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

- Matthew 6:21
It is the goal of the OroNaz Finance Team to keep this church family updated on our financial blessings and challenges. Through this expanded Financial Connection we will share biblical teachings that direct the decisions made by the CLT and we hope you can find application to your life as well.

This month we’ll focus on worrying.

There are so many things that people choose to worry about, too many things to even attempt to list! Did you know the Bible instructs us not to worry?

“‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?’” Matthew 6:25

It seems fairly straight forward, right? Jesus is encouraging us to widen our focus beyond our life in this physical world; to a life that is Christ-like and kingdom focused. This verse speaks directly about not worrying but why does it begin with “THEREFORE”? Matthew 6:25 is found in the middle of a series of Jesus’ teachings known as the Sermon on the Mount. If we look at the previous verse we get a more clear picture about the whole lesson Jesus is teaching:

“‘No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.’” Matthew 6:24

This verse adds another layer of understanding how we, as followers of Christ, can release worry. To be wholly committed to God as our provider (our master) we are free to trust in His plan, even when we may not understand. When we become focused on doing things on our own, achieving and needing to provide for ourselves or our family, we choose to serve money and it becomes our master.

But that is not the life that God wants for us! God provides for us beyond the needs of this world, freeing us from worry while at the same time entrusting us as stewards to manage the resources He has given us. We live intentionally with our finances so that we may bring glory to His name, not so that we don’t have to worry. We are often tempted to try to solve things by our own power, forgetting that we are not the master. Rather, we should lean in to our loving Father to provide a solution or understanding. Doing so will remind us in humility that we are serving a good and faithful master.

We do not need to worry about our lives. Walk in faith and trust in God’s plan for your life.

“‘No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?’”
  __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Thank you OroNaz family for your continued faithfulness. If you ever have questions about finances, feel free to reach out to us at finances@oronaz.org.
 
January is the 11th month of the annual budget year that runs March 2023 to February 2024. Thank you for your continued financial commitment; it is a testament to what God is doing in us and through us. Please pray and/or give as God leads.

Our Pastor, CLT, Treasurer (Joey McCoy) and Finance Team welcome your questions and feedback. Please email the Finance Team at finance@oronaz.org to start a conversation.

OroNaz Church Financial Update: January 2024
Our Church Year runs from March to February

Projected budget
March 2023-February 2024
Projected budget March 2023-February 2024 (adjusted): $711,650
Needed for January 2024 $59,304
Giving for January 2024 $36,530
Expenses paid in January 2024 $55,623
 
Needed Year to Date $652,344
Giving Year to Date $667,434
Expenses Paid Year to Date $642,518



Shares for Others Paid Year to Date
World Evangelism Fund $35,792
Pensions & Benefits $14,642
Education $14,642
District Ministries $26,031
FINANCIAL CONNECTION ARCHIVES: Click the month below you'd like to view.
APR 2022     MAY 2022     JUN 2022     JUL 2022     AUG 2022    SEP 2022    OCT 2022    NOV 2022     DEC 2022     Jan 2023   No FEB 2023 report 
MAR 2023   APR 2023    May 2023       Jun 2023     Jul 2023     Aug 2023    Sep 2023        Oct 2023      Nov 2023     Dec 2023

What is the difference between a tithe and an offering?

Tithe: The Biblical principle of tithe comes from the Old Testament, where Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek (Genesis 14:20; Hebrews 7:6); and Jacob vowed unto the Lord and said, "Of all that you give me I will give you a tenth" (Genesis 28:22). The word “tithe” means “tenth.” The tithe has a reference to ownership, that we return to the one who owns everything a portion of what he has given to us. The Bible talks about the neglect of this duty, where it was sternly rebuked by the prophets (Amos 4:4; Malachi 3:8-10). It cannot be affirmed that the Old Testament law of tithes is binding on the Christian Church, however, the principle of this law remains, and is incorporated in the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:13-14); and so our motivation that compels us to be generous givers, as followers of Christ, is greater now than in Old Testament times; as Christians, we should go beyond the ancient Hebrew obligation in consecrating both ourselves and our possessions to God. Tithing becomes part of our worship to the Lord.
Offering: Giving above and beyond the tithe is considered an offering. The Bible doesn’t command us to give offerings, but it does encourage us to give generously, and offerings—since they aren’t required—reflect the generosity in our hearts. Until the tithe is met, an offering cannot be given.

God Provides Through A Unique Way
Payroll Protection Plan Update

As part of the governments recovery plan to stimulate and shore up the economy during the early days of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Church Board approved us applying for the Payroll Protection Plan (PPP). Working with our Bank, the church was eligible to receive a $10,000 Grant and was approved for $98,000 in payroll protection, which was a loan with a forgiveness provision. We have weathered this pandemic, keeping our staff employed during this time. The church has followed all of the Federal Government’s provisions for the forgiveness of the PPP, and after submitting it to the Bank, they determined that we would need to repay $10,000 plus a small amount of interest accrued after approval, they determined that the remainder, $98,000, was forgiven. Because we spent the money from the PPP for payroll and mortgage payments, we were able to hold back the money budgeted for these things in a restricted account as they were paid. At the end we had set aside out of our budget the full amount of $108,000. Below we have charted this for you. The amount of interest was $81.45, leaving us with $97,918.55.

OroNaz Started with:

When we applied for PPP Forgiveness

With $97,918.55 funds available, the Finance Team discussed that we need to use some of the money to help others, not just for ourselves. The recommendation to the Church Leadership Team was to pay a 10% tithe off the money to help others, and then use the rest in a prioritized spending plan developed last year for extra funds above the budgeted amounts. More on the prioritized spending plan later.
 
The Church Leadership Team approved the Finance Teams recommendation. The  tithe on the forgiven amount was decided to be split in two gifts: the first 5% ($4895.93) was allocated to World Missions (NMI) to give to those in need on the mission field, the second 5% was for the same amount,  and was allocated to Local Missions in our area.
Our World Missions Council (NMI) split their money and gave it to two projects:
  • $2,447.97:  Project 1 – NCM COVID - 19 Response:  “As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries is committed to acting in compassion as we respond together throughout the crisis, including the long-term needs that will go beyond immediate risks and dangers. Together, we can continue to be formed by Christ to respond in love, care, patience, devotion, and boldness.”  More details at: https://www.ncm.org/covid19 [ncm.org] and https://issuu.com/ncm.magazine/docs/covid-19_digital
  • $2,447.96:  Project 2 – NCM The Shechem Children’s Home: “The Shechem Children’s Home is a short-term assessment center for children who are survivors of online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC). This is a form of human trafficking where images or videos of children performing sexual acts are sold over the internet. It is a growing problem globally and, in the Philippines, where Shechem is located.”  More details at: https://www.ncm.org/shechem
Our Local Missions designation for the other top 5% ($4895.92) was split into four gifts:
  • $1223.98: Gift 1 – Caring for Women Pregnancy Resource Center: Caring For Women is a nonprofit pregnancy resource center. We have helped teens and women in Butte County with free services for over 25 years. The Pregnancy Resource Center offers a friendly, caring and confidential atmosphere. More details: https://caringforwomen.life/index.htm
  • $1223.98: Gift 2 –The Axiom Youth Center: The Axiom is a Youth Center in Downtown Oroville Focused on building platforms for success for students to realize and utilize their untapped potential. More details: http://www.theaxiom.org/
  • $1223.98: Gift 3 –The Greater Oroville Homeless Coalition: The Greater Oroville Homeless Coalition is housed in the Hope Center to assist in-crisis individuals and families keep their homes. They work to end homelessness one individual or family at a time, whether you are in trouble of losing your housing or if you are trying to find housing. More details: https://www.facebook.com/OrovilleHomelessCoalition/
  • $1223.98: Gift 4 –The Oroville Rescue Mission: The Oroville Rescue Mission is a religious non-profit organization which serves the homeless and disadvantaged in the Oroville area and its surrounding communities. It is affiliated with the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions. More details: https://www.orovillerescuemission.org

Prioritized Spending Plan Distribution of Remainder: $88,126.30
Last year as part of our budget process the Finance Team and CLT set up what we are calling the prioritized spending plan where extra funds above the budgeted amount would be distributed as follows: 75% ($66,095.03) was allocated to debt repayment on our construction loan, 10% ($8,812.67) has been set aside for our Maintenance Team to use on the many needs of our campus and buildings, 5% ($4,406.33) has been set aside for Local Compassionate Ministries future needs, 5% ($4,406.33) has been allocated to our NMI team for future needs, and the last 5% ($4,406.33) has been set aside for the CLT to aid our church ministries and their needs.
We have been truly blessed! We will continue to steward God’s finances to the best of our ability. Any questions feel free to email finance@oronaz.org

Joey McCoy, Treasurer and the Finance Team

Have questions or need help?

We'd love to hear from you. Fill out the form below to get started.