1. Painting a Portrait

2. Where are we now? Presbytery has current Y-T-D shortfall of $6000 We have only $7600 in mortgage reserves There are no other reserve funds. We have no money for Mission Coordinator search process. If giving trends to the presbytery continue at current rate, it is estimated we will be short $55,000 to $85,000 by year-end 2008 (includes money for search and $20,000 reserves).

3. How did we get here? Declining membership Massive Increase in capital expenditures/debt Decreased contributions to presbytery Years of over-spending presbytery budget National / Global economic realities. Resulting decreased rental income at Cherokee Retreat Center Life Cycle of programmatic presbytery on decline

4. Decreased Membership At PeekNow 300175 6726 29272421 785383 771624 237128 20189 986548 6513 636499 19982007Decline 11,46110,245-11% Only 7 of 41 churches have shown a net increase since 1998, and 4 of those 7 were organized during those 10 years.

5. Increased Debt About ½ of all churches in Cherokee Presbytery currently have outstanding notes and loans. Our current indebtedness has increased from $1.3 million in 1998 to over $4.7 million in 2007 -- an increase of 362%! Some churches pay almost 50% of all income to debt relief.

6. Decreased Giving to Presbytery Validated giving to Presbytery has dropped from about $1,000,000 in 1999 to about $700,000 in 2007. The presbytery budget just in the last 4 years has been cut from over $700,000 to $500,000 in 2008. The 2009 budget is projected at $410,000, a 42% reduction in just 5 years.

7. Who’s to blame? Council / Committees Local Churches Presbytery staff PresbyterySociety

8. The Dilemma We Face Projected shortfall of between $55-85,000 Presbytery bank loan will severely affect any / all churches with PILP (Presbyterian Investment Loan Program) loans. No safety net / money for churches that may default on loans. Cuts to ministry, including Campus Ministry and its staff NCD funds may be at risk

9. Options on the Table Get bank loan in short-term Ask individuals to step up and help Ask churches to pay full pledge, if at all able Eliminate or cut back presbytery staffing Eliminate or cut back mission / ministry Spin off Cherokee Retreat Center and/ or minimize funding Open to other suggestions

10. Impact of New Structure/Vision Time may have come for Cherokee Presbytery to be reborn / start new life cycle. Candidates under consideration are excited about new model for presbytery ministry Hope and expectation is that by not being a programmatic presbytery, the budget will be considerably streamlined.

11. What Can YOU Do Now? Pray for – God’s will, churches, Council Give – as you are lead Serve – on new CRC Board of Directors Ask – who do you know who can help? Suggest – what ideas have we not considered?