REPORT FROM THE TREASURER'S OFFICE

With two-thirds of 1984 now over, it is time once again to evaluate our financial situation. (Of course, we in Financial Services are continually doing this throughout the month and not just at month's end.) God has again blessed His Church with a good increase over last year. August ended with an increase of 14.0% and the year-to-date increase was 14.7%.

In spite of this good increase, we expect to have the lowest reserves of the entire year during the next few weeks. Perhaps some of you do not understand why we have such low points. Simply put, our income and expenses vary greatly throughout the year. During this present year, income is expected to vary by 7.5 million dollars between our highest and lowest month. And expenses will vary by 5.6 million dollars between the highest and lowest month. Each month is a totally different "ball game" as far as both income and expense are concerned. We try to plan ahead for these large variations, but sometimes our planning is not as good as it should be.

Another factor is the holy day offerings, which come in the spring and fall, and which are in addition to regular tithes and offerings. They temporarily boost the bank balance, but we gradually use this up by the next holy day season. Therefore, we normally have a constantly changing situation, with other occasional unexpected changes in either income or expenses. Unless we have sufficient reserves, our problems are increased, and so far this year reserves have not been sufficient.

In addition to these factors, our present situation is further complicated by an expense overage by the departments. We hope to correct this situation before the end of the year, but it has come unexpectedly at the most difficult time of the year.

I hope this brief explanation will help you understand the current financial situation in God's Church. Because of the Feast and PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT scheduling, my next report will be in November. It will contain information about finances for both September and October.

In the meantime, we here on the staff at Pasadena hope and pray that God will richly bless all of you wherever you observe God's festivals, and that you will have a spiritually and physically rewarding Feast!

And now for a special request to all of you who are Church pastors. Because of the present cash flow problem, it is needful that — if at all possible-­ you have the holy day offering for the Feast of Trumpets taken up at the morning service. Then please have the offering mailed by noon on that day, or as soon as possible before the post office closes. The Day of Atonement occurs on the weekly Sabbath. If you have a morning service, we would appreciate your following the same instructions. Your cooperation and help in this would be most appreciated.

— Leroy Neff, Treasurer