Coggin Christian Education Endowment Fund

Transcription

1 Coggin Christian Education Endowment Fund Definition of Christian Education and Clarifications on How Funds May Be Used The sole purpose of the CCEEF as clearly stated in the trust document is for furthering Christian Education within the congregation, the local community, and the world. It further is very clear that the Session has the "... sole discretion after prior consultation with the Diaconate" to determine if a recommended activity or program meets the requirements stated in the trust document. The trust document also states clearly that no portion of the funds from the trust can "...be applied to the operating budget of the Church" which also clearly means that no funds from the trust may "supplant" normal Church operating funds. The trust document also has a number of requirements about process, guidelines on timeframe for the use of funds, accountability, etc. (Please see the Mille and Bob Coggin Christian Education Fund for the Newnan Presbyterian Church, hic. trust document.). After four years of operations, it has become obvious that there is a need to assist the Session, Diaconate, and members of the CCEEF ministry by: 1) defining the term Christian Education, 2) examining the definition of Christian Education in light of the prohibition of using funds from the trust for normal Church operations, and 3) providing a non-inclusive list of both acceptable and unacceptable examples of possible activities. Christian Education Christian Education is defined as activities, events, educational and instructional materials, speakers, consultants, and other entities that support, nurture, or are ancillary to the teaching and spreading the Christian Gospel, or that offer learning opportunities related to the message of the Gospel, in relation to and complementary of the ministries established by the Session of NPC, so long as CCEEF funds do not supplant or otherwise replace funds to support or defray cost of events or activities provided for in the annual operating budget of the NPC. Under no circumstances will an on going program or ministry be dropped from the NPC annual operating budget with the anticipation that it will be funded in the future by the CCEEF. CCEEF funds may be used also to expand, enlarge, extend, and/or otherwise enhance existing programs, events, and activities sponsored or otherwise directly in relationship to the ministries of the NPC. This definition is intentionally written to be very broad in order not to limit current or future creative thinking.

2 Restrictions on Use of Funds The restriction on the use of funds established in the trust is completely clear and understandable. No funds from the CCEEF can go to support normal Church operations and the Church may not use money from CCEEF to "supplant" funds. The intent of CCEEF is to provide money that will allow the NPC to "go beyond" what it can do through its normal operating budget in Christian Education. Any activity recommended by the CCEEF ministry and sent to the Session and Diaconate, must meet three tests: They are: 1. Does the activity submitted meet the Christian Education definition? 2. Does it meet the restrictions on funds" tests? (i.e., no funds available in the operating budget and no supplanting of funds) 3. Does the activity meet the sprit entailed within the trust? Does it have magnitude, impact, and worthiness? The first two tests are fairly strait forward. The third test requires members of the CCEEF ministry, Elders and Deacons to reflect on the core intent of the gift in approving a proposed activity. The third test is the only way to separate out what is intended m the final sentence of the definition. "CCEEF funds may be used also to expand, enlarge, extend, and/or otherwise enhance existing programs..." It is not the intent of the CCEEF to just "add on" to existing NPC funds for a particular program or event that the Church can't quite afford. In other words, funds from CCEEF are not intended to just supplement the Church's operating budget. The third question goes to the quality and impact of a proposed activity. POSSIBLE EXAMPLES: This list is not inclusive and should only be used as a guide. Funds from CCEEF can be used for the following: To sponsor a preaching series for the congregation and community beyond what NPC normally does. To place Church services on local radio or TV To teach English to the children of the members of the Hispanic Church now using our facility To sponsor a summer program for children in the community much like the "JLC Program." To have seminary professors come and offer community wide courses in bible study To support a missionary that receives only lined funds from the NPC

3 To train selected individuals in specific outreach functions not funded within the operating account of NPC To purchase materials and supplies supporting an approved activity To provide transportation that help participants within an activity come to the Church To send un-churched/under privileged children within the community to Camp Calvin for summer activities Outreach programs designed to reach the multitude of un-churched individuals and families Funds from CCEEF cannot be used for the following: To supplement additional funds already allocated within the Church's operational budget (e.g., "We only allocated $600 for an event and we now need $200 more, let's get it from the CCEEF.") To supplant current dollars within the operating budget (e.g., "Yes, we had to move funds from your ministry to other ministries; perhaps we can get CCEEF to fund your ministry.") CCEEF: January 2013

4 This statement is to be read at all mandatory February meetings. What is the Coggin Christian Education Endowment Fund? The Coggin Christian Education Endowment Fund was established in 1999 with the mission of providing funds to: Enhance and expand the Christian Education Programs of the Newnan Presbyterian Church. And; at some point in the future a portion of these funds should be used to reach out with the word of God to that large multitude of un-churched individuals in our community. At the time of its creation a set of covenants were established which govern the use and disbursement of proceeds from the Endowment. The terms and conditions outlined in the covenants were proposed by us and accepted by representatives of the Session. Among other stipulations, the use of any portion of the fund to cover the day-to-day operation or any other budgeted item of the church or building programs is prohibited. Copies of these Covenants are available in the Church Office, and you are encouraged to review them. We have been so blessed in so many ways during our lifetime we wanted to renew our commitment to Christ and share the benefits of our blessings today and for years to come. We were motivated to establish the Endowment after reading about Elias Boudinot, a statesman, Presbyterian Elder and signer of the Declaration of Independence. Mr. Boudinot was the creator of the Boudinot Book Fund, established in 1821 to supply religious reading material to "weak and feeble" congregations. While the initial amount donated by Mr. Boudinot was relatively modest, it still today serves the purpose specified by Mr. Boudinot. Based on the current balance in the fund, it will continue to do so for many years to come. Our aspirations for the Endowment are very simple; we hope it will do as much good work as Mr. Boudinot's Book Fund and will be an inspiration to others. In Christ, Millie and Bob Coggin

5 Newnan Presbyterian Church Coggin Christian Education Endowment Fund Request for Funding In order to qualify for consideration, the project must meet the following criteria: 1. Spreads or teaches the gospel of Jesus Christ. 2. Fits with or enhances the stated mission of NPC. 3. Must be outside the scope of the operating budget of NPC. 4. Expands or enhances the Christian Education Program of NPC. Date of application Ministry requesting Ministry Chair Description of planned activity or event (Include amount requested and expected completion date) Why do you think this activity should be funded from the Coggin Christian Education Endowment Fund? How does it expand or enhance the Christian Education Program of NPC? Is there a particular person or persons you would like to remember or honor through this activity (e.g. one of the "saints" of the Newnan Presbyterian Church)? CCEEF Revised March 1, 2015

6 Has this application been submitted to other NPC endowments for funding? Yes No Has this ministry requested funds from CCEEF for similar activates in the past? Yes No Have you checked with all parties mentioned in this application? Yes No Does the grantee understand the following CCEEF requirements and agree to meet these requirements? Yes No (1) Complete a written executive summary (one page) about the funded activity (what, when, participation, accomplishments, benefits to Christian Education, and comments and/or story about the activity from participants) and summit the executive summary to CCEFF no later than 30 days after the activity is concluded. (2) Provide a "minute for mission" to the congregation at a regular Church service about the activity to include a brief statement about how the funds were used and the benefits derived from the activity. Grantees are expected and encouraged to keep these remarks to no more than 2 minutes. This minute for mission will need to be coordinated with the pastors but should take place shortly after the executive summary is submitted. Applications are to be submitted to the Church Office no later than February 1 st, addressed to the Chair of the Christian Education Ministry Funds are allocated yearly and are intended for use during the same year. If further funds are needed for future years, re-application is necessary. Call with any questions. Recommendation of the CCEEF Ministry: Approved Denied Amount of Funding: Comments: Session: Approved Denied Comments: CCEEF Revised March 1, 2015