2026 Personnel Changes - Strategic Adjustments for Long-Term Sustainability

I want to share important personnel decisions I'm making for 2026 as part of our strategic approach to long-term financial sustainability.

Our Strategic Approach

We're implementing a sustainable approach to our annual ministry funding, separate from our Tomorrow First capital campaign launching this fall. Our plan focuses on three key areas:

  1. Adjusting to sustainable investment fund usage - Moving from drawing $230,000 annually to a projected $44,000 (4% sustainable draw rate) to protect our invested funds for future generations
  2. Growing congregational giving - Working toward a 13.6% increase from $500,000 to $568,000 based on current trends
  3. Aligning our expenses appropriately - Making necessary adjustments to create financial stability

We're addressing personnel changes first since this is our largest budget category and staff deserve maximum planning time. We'll be working on our complete 2026 Ministry Funding Plan in the months ahead, which may require adjustments to ministry areas beyond personnel. Additionally, beginning July 1, 2026, we'll transition to a July-June budget year to improve our ministry planning and stewardship processes.

Personnel Changes for 2026

As Lead Pastor, I've made these personnel adjustments ($116,025) as our primary focus at this time. The changes include:

Pastoral Leadership is absorbing the majority of reductions:

  • Lead Pastor base salary will be reduced by 10% effective January 1, 2026
  • Associate Pastor position shifted from full-time to part-time effective July 1, 2025, and is supported by the Great Plains Conference's Transition into Ministry (TiM) program, creating significant cost savings while helping develop future pastoral leaders

Other staff adjustments include:

  • Administrative Assistant position moving to half-time
  • Four stipend positions ending (Technology Specialist, Worship Design, Bible School Coordinator, and Children's Music)
  • All staff cell phone allowances ending
  • Several positions continuing unchanged (Director of Youth and Family Ministries, Children's Ministry Coordinator, Director of Music, Organist)
  • Custodian position unchanged for now while we explore cleaning contract options that may result in a reduced-hours position

Programs and ministries may be affected by these changes. Some may be eliminated or significantly modified based on available staff and volunteer capacity. We're committed to working with volunteers to maintain as many programs as possible.

Important Details

Timeline: The associate pastor transition was completed July 1, 2025. Other personnel changes take effect January 1, 2026. No additional changes will occur during the remainder of 2025, giving us time for thoughtful transitions. Beginning July 1, 2026, we'll also transition to a July-June budget year for improved ministry planning.

Future planning: We'll continue working on our complete 2026 Ministry Funding Plan in the months ahead, which may require adjustments to ministry areas beyond personnel.

Giving projections: Our plan works toward a 13.6% increase in congregational giving. We'll continue monitoring actual giving patterns and may need to make further adjustments based on those realities.

How You Can Help

Faithful giving: Your continued and increased support makes our ministries possible. Even small increases in giving across our congregation make a significant impact.

Volunteer engagement: As some paid positions transition, volunteer leadership becomes even more critical to maintaining vibrant ministries.

Prayer and encouragement: Pray for our staff as they navigate these changes and for our church as we move through this transition.

Your Feedback Matters

I believe in transparent communication and want to hear from you. Please share your thoughts, questions, or concerns:

I'd be glad to find a time to talk with you in person. Your input helps us make the best decisions for our church family's future.

Moving Forward Together

These decisions aren't easy, but they help position us for long-term sustainability and continued ministry impact. By making these adjustments now, we're ensuring McPherson First UMC can continue serving McPherson and beyond for generations to come.

I'm grateful for your understanding, support, and partnership as we navigate this transition together. Our vision remains unchanged: to be a servant church where we experience God's grace, live like Jesus, and participate in God's grace with our neighbors.

Thank you for your faithfulness to our shared ministry. Please don't hesitate to reach out with questions or feedback.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Andrew Conard

Ministries
Adult