#3 - Worship as the Center of Church Life
More and more people are attracted to worship at Central because of the faithful preaching of God's Word, an exceptional music ministry for all ages, and the diversity of our worship celebrations. The objective of the 2000 budget in regard to worship is to emphasize it as the center of church life.

Included in this expense are portions of the salaries and benefits for our Pastors and the music staff, as well as the cost of the radio broadcast, and the music ministry.

#4 - The Great Commission - Near and Far in Word and Deed
This budget raises Central's direct support of missions by 13% and continues our major commitment to support missionaries, in keeping with Central's Core Value #4. One of every six dollars in the Missions Budget goes to Social Action to minister among the poor, needy and oppressed. This budget provides increased aid to approximately 75 missionaries and ministries which Central has been supporting, and takes on several new causes.

In addition to the direct support of missions, this total includes a portion of our Associate Pastor's, Senior Pastor's and other staff salaries and benefits.

#7 - Growing Mature, Ministering Disciples
Our youth are a gift and a trust from God. Just as worship and children's and adult Sunday School, Central's youth ministry is also reaching an increasing number of junior and senior high youth. This part of the budget makes possible the combination of fellowships, Bible Studies, Sunday School classes, work projects, and retreats which build mature, ministering disciples for today and tomorrow.

#9 - The Nurture of Children and Youth
For many of Central's families, growing disciples begins with the nurture of 160 children on the average Sunday. The 2000 budget will fund Sunday School, Children's Worship, Adventure Club, music programs, Saturday activities, VeBS, parent/teacher training, and a pilot preschool program to continue growing an excellent children's ministry.

#9 - A Diverse, Loving, Community
Being a diverse, loving community of faith requires a mix of love, nurture, instruction, and support. This portion of the budget undergirds the pastoral care provided by our pastors and other staff, the caring of the Diaconate, and the support of the Lay Counseling Ministry, Adult Christian Education, and a variety of fellowships and discipling activities.

To support Central's existing ministry programs, and to handle further growth in the next century, we must maintain our expanding facilities. Even counting on Central's tradition of significant volunteer labor to maintain our buildings and grounds, we must spend money each year to provide for essential maintenance and capital improvements, along with light, heat, and insurance.

This expense is steadily retiring Central's small existing debt.

This provides for the office staff, telephone service, postage, copy machine and other administrative costs necessary to support the above ministries. Good management and faithful volunteers help to keep the growth in this area to a minimum.