Article updated as of May 2011
In view of our economic goal of leading CAMACOP to become a financially viable evangelical denomination instrumental in transforming the Nations, the twofold primary objective was to raise Cheerful Givers and to Carefully Administer those gifts. The challenge for CAMACOP people is aim to increase income in order to increase giving for the work and ministry of the Lord through CAMACOP. As the saying goes, “We cannot squeeze water from a dry towel”, so is true to God’s people who may have the desire to give but has nothing to give.
Once again the Lord has increased our blessings and our giving to fulfill the mission God has entrusted to us. Evidently our 2010 General fund posted a 17.3 percent increase and our Missions fund a 17.3 percent increase when compared to that of 2009(Based on Unaudited report). Since 2002 we have always overshot our General Fund yearly budget and projections while Missions fund has also maintained a consistent increase since 2008. ( see charts below)
The wisdom behind the lowering of the 20%-17% contribution to the general fund in 2003 and 17% -15% in 2009 was to give way for the local churches to gain economic strength believing that financially viable churches can contribute more for the work of the Lord. Comparing the number of our Middle lower, Middle, Upper middle and Upper class churches (churches whose contribution to the General fund ranges from ten thousand and above) in 2002 there were 194 churches and in 2010 there were 418 churches. It is 115% increase in eight years. More or less 90% of our General fund comes from these churches. There is yet a greater challenge for CAMACOP to intentionally established economically viable churches.
In 2002 our National budget ( Districts and Regions included) is 10,905,000. In 2010 we have 25,470,064. An increase of 133% in just eight (8) years. In 2004 our National budget has included a 250,000 contribution to church planting and 250,000 for missions. The subsidy for church planting from the general fund was doubled starting 2009. Since 2006 we have also in our yearly budget a subsidy for the General assembly of 500,000 and another 500,000 for the renovation of our National headquarters. Starting 2007 NEM-DM’S ministry support is included in the General Fund. The same year an equivalent of 25% of the current president’s allowance was apportioned to previous surviving CAMACOP presidents. All workers who are supported by the National fund have also enjoyed not less than10% yearly increase since 2002 to 2010.
Despite the increasing yearly budget, God’s provision is clearly manifested. We have enjoyed surpluses since 2002. Deficits incurred in the previous years have been cleared. In 2004 the General fund deficit of 3.3 Million, In 2005 Missions deficit of 1.1 million and in 2007 church planting deficit of 3.3 million were liquidated. Regional refunds for regions which has overshot the yearly projections were also given back to help support their church planting ministries. Over seven Million was already given back to the regions from 2005-2009. More or less 30% of the surplus left to the National fund were allocated for the CAMACOP Urban Ministry Project, Church Building Revolving Fund, and Documentation of Church Lots.
Someone has rightly said, “God’s work done in God’s way will never lack supply”. May we be filled with His wisdom and might as we do his bidding and manage the resources he entrusts to us for the GLORY OF HIS NAME!! Multiple blessings for 2011and the years to come!
Rev. Joseph Reyes
NEM-Division of Finance & Stewardship