Episcopal Church Foundation Vestry Papers - for leading congregations

When one learns about the tremendous outreach ministries of Trinity Episcopal Church in Logansport, Indiana, a natural question might be, “How do they afford it?” As it turns out, many years ago, the church invested a large estate gift at the Cass County Community Foundation, and determined that half of the annual proceeds of the fund would go to outreach ministry and half to building maintenance. But if you conclude that THAT is how Trinity Logansport “affords” its apostolic outreach ministry, you are not realizing the full power of being a joyful giver.

Clark Miller, rector of Trinity Logansport, explains: “When we started looking outside our walls, we started to grow. When you start giving things, things come back to you. The people of Trinity give willingly of their money and time. People don’t say, ‘let the endowment take care of it’ – they jump in to help.”

Trinity’s largest outreach ministry is its annual school backpack project, which has grown to an amazing 1,200 backpacks a year! Children and their families line up around the block on the day the backpacks are available at Trinity. Kids choose the backpack they want from grade-appropriate selections. This day has evolved into a back-to-school event – even free haircuts are provided.

While Trinity’s endowment certainly helps, members of congregation personally purchase backpacks and supplies all year long. People may be reimbursed from the Fund, but most don't ask.

Outreach funds also buy hats and mittens that are given away in the neighborhood. A food pantry is operated every two weeks and Trinity partners with other churches to host a Saturday lunch for those who need a good meal.

Trinity is intentional about getting people involved in outreach and the life of the parish. For example, one older woman who can’t come to the church to help make ham loaves (a long-time fundraising project), stays at home and crunches cartons and cartons of crackers used in the recipe. Her contribution is celebrated along with everyone else’s.

While personal contributions expand Trinity’s ability to serve, the church also tithes 10% of its annual pledge dollars to outreach ministries.

“We talk about tithing a lot,” says Father Miller. “Perhaps this subject comes easier because people see the results and rewards of Trinity’s corporate ‘giving away’ and how much Trinity receives back – how gifts are multiplied, and people feel great about the impact. We have felt on more than one occasion that God has provided for us because we have taken this path.”

Trinity received, Trinity gave, Trinity received again.

Discussion questions for a future vestry meeting:

• How intentional is our congregation in giving a portion of what we receive to others? 
• Is “outreach” a ministry supported by our annual budget, or do we ask people to separately support outreach activities?
• How does our church set an example for our members about tithing?

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