Creating an Annual Budget

Bethlehem establishes funding for its mission and various ministries through a process that includes proposing and adopting an annual budget that passes through many “sieves.”

• Each Fall, the staff and Financial & Property Administrators draft a preliminary budget.
• This draft budget is presented to the elders for their review, adjustment, and approval.
• Once approved, the elders then present the budget to the congregation at the Annual Meeting in December for recommended adoption.
• The congregation adopts the annual budget at the first Quarterly Strategy Meeting in January.

Content of the Annual Budget

Bethlehem’s budget is organized in two broad sections.

Ministry and Operating Expenses

Ministry and Operating categories are traditionally around 70% of the annual budget and include expenses for Pastors and Staff, Building and Property, Family Discipleship, Adult Ministries, Worship and Music, IT, Media, Communications, and Office/Administration.

Outreach and Missions Expenses

We strive to keep Outreach and Missions categories around 30% of the annual budget. They include funding for Global Outreach, Short Term Ministry Mobilization (STMM), Neighborhood Outreach (at all campuses), Campus Outreach, Bethlehem College and Seminary/The Bethlehem Institute, and Church Planting.

At Bethlehem's Annual Meeting held December 19, 2010, the elders presented both an overview and details (both now updated) of the proposed $9.7M 2011 Church & Missions budget. At Bethlehem's Winter Quarterly Strategy meeting held January 23, 2011, the congregation voted to approve the Church & Missions budget for 2011.

If you have additional questions about the Annual Budget, feel free to contact our Lead Pastor for Operations, Jon Grano (612-338-7653 x467).