Third Quarter 2007 Assembly Approves CE&P's $7.00 Ministry Ask for 2008 Budget

In order to do the programs and develop the training and resources assigned by the General Assembly over the years, CE&P needs $7.00 per communicant member to fund those programs. The General Assembly has approved CE&P’s “ministry ask” of $7.00 per member in 2008. Full participation in support would allow CE&P to carry out all of its assignments.

CE&P depends primarily on the support of the churches whom they serve and individuals who see the importance and necessity of having training and resources from a biblically Reformed perspective. According to Charles Dunahoo, CE&P Coordinator, this “askings” approach was initiated in 1980 and with only a couple of exceptions during that time, CE&P has kept expenses within the income.

Dunahoo said, “Because the ministry of CE&P is to serve PCA churches, we depend on contributions from our churches and interested individuals to fund the lion’s share of the ministry budget. The CE&P staff does not itinerate to raise their support, and the sales of Sunday school curriculum do not subsidize the ministry of CE&P, so local church’s support is critical to our survival and delivery of the assigned ministries.” 

As reported to the 2006 General Assembly, the CE&P budget “ministry ask” has always reflected what it would take to fully fund the programs approved and assigned by the General Assembly. The permanent committee has worked over the years to put forth a realistic ministry program for such a growing and diverse denomination as the PCA. If all the churches participated at the $7.00 ask amount, the program could be fully funded. Even with the shortfall in church support, we have had to request the Assembly for permission to discontinue only one of our assignments. It has been necessary over the years in attempting to fund the full program to make choices as to what to partially fund or forego entirely during a particular year. 

We ask the churches to prayerfully consider giving to CE&P using the General Assembly approved $7.00 per communicant member “ministry ask.”