If the ministry in Québec is successful, why would you still have need for financial support?
First of all, we need to define successful. It is incredibly successful in a Québecker context. In the U.S. we’d be average. Lord-willing 2011 will see this change as well.
Secondly, our goal is to establish financially autonomous churches led by Québeckers. So the first priority is to support a Québecker pastor, not offset our personal support. On this note we have some great news. 2011 is the first year that the church in St Jérôme will be financially autonomous, paying 100% of Jacob’s salary.
So after the church’s expenses are taken care of, including Jacob’s salary, giving toward continuing church planting in Québec, as well as an overseas missions impetus, only at that point am I comfortable with them giving toward us personally. You may not agree, but that is my stance. In this way we are in no way a hindrance to Québecker churches we establish living the full-orb of what it means to be healthy.
When there is a budgetary short-fall, is it handled by the organization or absorbed by our family?
The first thing that is cut is our personal budget. So whatever the amount we are under-supported, that is the exact amount that is cut from our personal family budget for day-to-day living.
I must also clarify that we receive a check for whatever amount is “committed”, regardless of what is actually given. We then settle accounts at the end of the year.
Is our purpose to be forever supported by American churches or also to be fully supported by churches in Québec?
We don’t have a long-term purpose in either direction. Our vision is to see multiplying Québecker churches and are open to all sorts of creative funding ideas that liberate us to continue instigating this movement. If you have some honestly well thought-out ideas, we’re all ears.
Why does the amount of needed support continue to rise?
First of all, other than a slight cost-of-living raise, the amount needed for our personal budget is about the same as 5 years ago.
Secondly, since being here, the ever-depreciating dollar has been a difficult pill to swallow. Today, the exchange rate is about 1 to 1 (it was about USD$1.00 = CD$1.38 when we first arrived in Québec).
Thirdly, a number of people have stopped supporting us financially over the last couple of years for several different reasons (individuals losing their jobs, churches going through a difficult time financially, etc.).
If I commit to a monthly or one-time amount, when do you see it?
A monthly commitment would be reflected in our check from World Venture the following month, and so on after that.
A one-time gift depends entirely on us. We may ask WV to keep the amount at the home office in an account until the end of the year, or have them send it right away, depending on the need. They will send any amount up to 100% of our needed support.
Do the churches in Québec help out?
Considering all of the challenges concerning planting multiple French-speaking churches, Québecker churches have been, and continue to be, very generous. However, our desire is to favor québecker church planters supported by quebecker churches… so as a result of this desire to see Québecker church planters, we intentionally put ourselves at the back of the line when it comes to financial support by Québecker churches.
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