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 1997 budget in regard to worship is to continue to attract more visitors and to grow strong disciples while giving honor to our Lord.

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

This budget raises Central's direct support of missions by 13% and continues to grow our missions program as an increasing percent of Central's budget in keeping with Central's priority to build our impact through local, national, and international ministries. New in 1997 - one of every six dollars in the Missions Budget goes to Social Action to minister among the poor, need 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 and Senior Pastor's salaries and benefits.

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 strong disciples for today and tomorrow.

For many of Central's families, building disciples begins with the care and nurture of 160 children on the average Sunday. The 1997 budget will fund Sunday School, Children's Worship, Adventure Club, music programs, Saturday activities, VeBS, parent/teacher training, and a children's retreat to continue growing an excellent children's ministry.

Moving disciples toward Christ requires a mix of love, nurture, in struction, and support. This portion of the budget undergirds the pas toral care provided by our pastors and other staff, the caring of the Diaconate, and the support of the Paraclete Lay 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 1997, we must maintain and improve our existing building. Even counting on Central's tradition of significant volunteer labor to maintain our buildings and grounds, we must spend significantly more this year to provide for essential maintenance and capital improvements, along with light, heat, and insurance. Later this year we expect to break ground for our building program to provide for additional educational and multi-purpose facilities.

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.