Critical Hurdles

While many of you know that I am not the greatest detail person in the world, you will have to admit, by in large, we always get the big rocks in the box first.

That has been my mantra for this new work.
1. Get the building ready for people.
2. Have a staff that is the integrated target we need to address our community.
3. Live it out daily.

However, in the midst of that we have fallen behind financially. Money is no friend of mine. It is not the air we breath but it may be the ground we walk on.

Raising a baby urban church has been an adventure for me. But it has also stretched me beyond capacity.

We have cleared the 200 barrier which was a surprise to most of us. We have cleared the integration battle, which was essential to our success. (We are 35% hispanic, 35% african-american, 25% caucasian, and 5% asian, indian, and other.) But the financial hurdle will probably allude us for years.

We need support to help us sustain our growth. There are items we need to truly address.
1. Staff salaries.
2. Building needs.
3. New ministry projects.

For instance, our baptistry has broken down and needs several things done. It needs new plumbing, a new heater, and a new pump. We do not have money for all of this.

For staff, we are trying to sustain our full staff. Why? We believe our integrated staff has been key to helping us reach our community. A diversity of leadership has allowed us to think more openly and creatively based on the cultures we are reaching.

"Steven T" is the nick name of a ministry mentor of my past. He would share pieces of advice to me and one was, "As Senior Minister, you will always have 3 things on your plate. Facilities, folks, and finances." I now live in that world.

As a team, we are trying to raise $50,000 by the end of the year. If you would like to help use reach this endeavor, go to http://www.commongroundtampa.com and click on the online giving or drop us a check at:
Common Ground
4207 North BLVD
Tampa, FL 33603

Thanks for you time.

Love - Danny