Church Finances

Biblical Basis for Giving

The Bible emphasizes generosity extensively, with over 2,000 verses highlighting the importance of sharing our possessions. Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus used parables to demonstrate that generosity is crucial to our relationship with Him and essential for sharing the love of Christ with others. In Acts, we witness a generous community of believers uniting to meet each other's needs, support their community, and spread the Gospel.

Today, the call to be generous remains unchanged, vital for both our personal growth and our collective mission to bring the Gospel to the world and to our neighbors. While the Church has evolved in many ways over its history, the foundation of our generosity remains constant. Our financial contributions to the church are not about achieving a budget or the specific amounts we give; these biblical teachings and Jesus' words remind us that our giving reflects our relationship with Him, our commitment to His mission, and our role in spreading the hope of Christ globally.

Transparency In Our Current Financials

As part of our “Generous On Purpose” initiative, we are committed to being more transparent with the finances of Fellowship Dallas. Our ministry and fiscal year begins on July 1 and ends on June 30. The Elder Board has approved a General Fund giving budget of $3,050,000 for the 2024/25 fiscal year, which is only $20,500 more than the total giving for the 2023/24 fiscal year.

Here are the latest results as of September 1st, 2024:

Budgeted To Date           $490,178
Received To Date            $316,478
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Current Need                   $173,770

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2023/2024 Fiscal Year

We have finalized our 2023/24 financial results as shown in the related pie charts and other information, including how revenues were generated and expenses were distributed across different areas of ministry and operations. Overall for the year, we had a net operating surplus before capital expenditures of $58,528. We spent $90,011 to repair and paint the exterior of our building, which resulted in a total net operating loss for the year of ($31,483).

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The graphs below show the fluctuations in giving and attendance over the 2023/24 ministry year that ended June 30, 2024. Our average weekly giving for the year was $57,161 and our average adult attendance on Sunday morning was 438 onsite and 129 online for a total of 567.

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2024/2025 Fiscal Year

The Elder Board has approved a 2024/25 budget that includes a $3,426,723 revenue budget (2% less than 2023/24 actuals) and a $3,550,014 expense budget before minor capital expenditures (4% more than 2023/24 actuals), which would result in a ($123,291) operating deficit. The minor capital expenditure budget for 2024/25 is $73,000. If all of that is actually spent, the resulting operating deficit would be ($196,291). Keep in mind that Fellowship Dallas is currently blessed with sufficient cash reserves to more than cover an operating deficit for 2024/25, a year in which we are investing for the future as we continue to rebound from the last few challenging years. The allocation of 2024/25 budgeted revenue and expenses are reflected in these pie charts.

We look forward to continuing to grow ever more Generous on Purpose together–giving cheerfully of our time, talents, and treasures–in the new ministry year!

Taking Your Next Step in Generosity

1. Pray & Ask Questions – Any act of generosity should begin with prayer. God knows that our relationships with finances are complex, and He is always ready to show us more about himself and how He provides through our journey in this area of discipleship. Our elders, staff leadership, and Generosity Ministry Leadership Team members are happy to answer any questions you may have.

2. Give Cheerfully – Every gift has an impact. There are several ways you can give at Fellowship. Online by clicking on the button below. By mailing your check to the church. By using the offering boxes at the front desk or in the back of the worship center. If you are interested in making a non-cash donation such as stocks, etc. please reach out to finance@fellowshipdallas.org.

Maybe you’re not able to give financially at this time. Generosity isn’t just about our finances, it’s also about sharing our gifts. Pray about an area you might be called to serve. You can also reach out to serve@fellowshipdallas.org and we would be happy to learn more about your interest in serving and connect you with an open opportunity.

3. Consider Setting Up Recurring Giving – Stepping into a regular rhythm of giving is easy. You can choose your desired frequency and make changes to your recurring gift at any time.

4. Share Your Story of Generosity – How have you seen God at work in your journey of generosity? Have you been on the receiving end of someone else’s generosity? Share your story by emailing stories@fellowshipdallas.org.

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Questions?

If you have any questions about our church’s finances or the ways that your giving is making an impact, please reach out to questions@fellowshipdallas.org. If you have questions about setting up a recurring gift, managing your online giving, or setting up a legacy gift, please email finance@fellowshipdallas.org.