Abundant Life

Stewardship 2025

I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
+ John 10:10

Dear St. Mark’s Friends & Family,

Thank you for your support in nurturing such abundant life in our church! Our calendar continues to stretch to hold the multiplicity of events and programs for fellowship and service each month.

The pledges we receive at the end of the year make it possible for the church to plan and budget for our ministries in the year ahead. A pledge may be for a one-time gift, or for a monthly or weekly donation (given by cash, check, credit card, or automatic withdrawal). We trust that in giving back to God a portion of the gifts we have been given, we find ourselves blessed with gratitude, joy, and even a greater sense of abundance.

We feel encouraged by the Spirit at work in our church, equipping us to continue restoring hope, empowering community, and growing in grace as we are, together, rooted in Christ’s love. May we give thanks for God’s abundant promises being realized among us, even as we hope for what is still to come.

Rev. Darin Arntson, Lead Pastor
Phil Walsh, Finance Chair

Giving with Purpose

We know that there are a lot of factors to consider when pledging or committing our financial gifts to any organization, but believe that the discipline of giving regularly to the church is a purposeful practice that helps build the kingdom and strengthen our faith. There is no right or wrong amount! Every offering matters and has a meaningful impact on our community through the ministries of the church.

Where to begin?

  • A Weekly/Monthly Pledge – if you are new to regular giving, consider what might be a consistent weekly or monthly amount that feels both within your means and faithful to what you’re able to share. To begin, that might be $5/week, $40/month, or $200/year.

  • Step-Up - If you are already pledging or giving regularly, but are considering making a greater commitment this year, the included chart might help you identify the next step up in giving. For example, if you have been giving 3%, you might consider pledging 5% for the coming year. Or if you have been at 8%, you might feel ready to commit to a full tithe at 10%.

  • Tithing - A historical “tithe” is considered 10% of one’s income. Whether you discern that to be pre- or post-taxes, inclusive of benefits, or just net-income is up to you.

What are the real costs of the ministry and
operations of St. Mark’s per year?

In 2024, our operating budget was close to $850,000. Inclusive of staff salaries and benefits, the ministry and administrative budgets were roughly as follows:

  • Worship - $165,000

  • Young People’s ministry - $80,000

  • Congregational Care - $55,000

  • Outreach - $55,000

  • Missions - $30,000 (an additional $50,000/year is given in direct offerings)

  • Administration - $205,000 ($70,000 goes to the denomination)

  • Campus Operations - $250,000 (Nursery School contributes $70,000 to this budget)

We anticipate the costs of facility maintenance increasing dramatically in the years ahead. While we hope not to make debilitating cuts to our program ministries, we anticipate changes in our budget to reflect our current needs. We will be able to finalize the 2025 budget when we have final pledge numbers this November.

Financial Giving Options and Advantages
Presentation by Millie McKibbin

Wednesday, October 30 at 11 a.m. on campus (New Room) & 6:30 p.m. on Zoom

St. Mark’s member Millie McKibbin, who has worked in Finance and Banking for 43 years, will be sharing information about alternative means to give to the church that may be tax advantageous to members. Some topics that will be covered are:

  • Required Minimum Distributions from an IRA

  • Pre-paid pledges for the next year (or month or quarter)

  • Advanced Planning for wills and/or trusts

This is a relaxed environment to ask questions, gather information, and see what makes sense for you. No sales persons are involved. This is information sharing only!

Click here to join the Zoom Session on Oct. 30 at 6:30 p.m.

For your convenience, we’ve created a form so that you can submit your pledge card entirely online. Pledges can be changed at any time.

If you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch with our office by clicking here.