By Shannon Caughey

In conversations about a potential second site in the Scott Park area, questions about finances often arise. Finances are definitely part of the equation for a second site. Ministry takes money.

Some of the questions are coming out of concerns about TCBC’s present financial status. Should we be thinking about a second site if we are behind budget at our current site? Are we putting ourselves in financial jeopardy?

In light of these questions, it’s important to understand what the second site vote is not about: This is not a decision about whether TCBC can financially afford a second site. Instead, the issue we’re voting on is this: If God wants us as a church to take intentional steps to reach more people, is moving toward a Scott Park site a strategy worth pursuing in order to accomplish this?

It’s also important to understand another financial aspect of this decision: If the vote is positive, we will not make financial commitments for the second site until our current site and our Plan for Growth fund are financially healthy. We won’t sign a lease for Sunday worship space or take on other significant expenses until God provides the resources needed. We’ll carry out the initial phases of ministry to the Scott Park area while incurring very little expense. As we do so, we’ll wait upon God for additional resources.

As I’ve been reflecting on financial questions, I find myself leaning toward this conclusion: we may be at just the right place financially to have the second site vote. If we were heading into this decision with abundant finances, we might be tempted to move forward based only on whether this looks humanly possible from a “resources and plan” perspective. But this isn’t what we need. Instead, we need to ask if pursuing the establishment of a Scott Park site fits with God’s desires for this church—whether or not it currently seems financially possible. If the answer is “yes,” let’s move forward in faith.