There is so much for us to celebrate as we close out 2023 and press in to what God has for us in 2024!
God has planted us here for a purpose, and this proposed budget seeks to steward our resources toward
the work that God is doing.  Below is a summary of each budget area.  Scroll all the way to the bottom of the page to submit any questions that you may have to the Sojourn Elders.

I can’t wait to see what God has in store for us in 2024!

- Trent Chambers

What is included in the 2024 Personnel Budget?
2023 has been full of God’s faithfulness and a great deal of growth.  We have welcomed hundreds of new people and believe that we will continue to see growth in the years to come.  

Our 2023 budget prioritized expanded staff as a result of the growth we experienced after the covid season.  We now have a total of 13 people on staff at Sojourn!  The 2024 budget, continues to prioritize key changes to our staff team as we work to structure to better care for and equip our growing congregation.  

Below are the changes that are represented in the 2024 budget:
- Full-Time Administrative Assistant (New Hire)
- Full-Time Student Ministry Director (New Hire)
- Expanded Connections role from Part-Time to Full-Time
- Return to a Full-Time Discipleship Director

The Personnel budget covers the salaries of all of our staff, including health benefits for full-time staff members and payroll taxes for all employees.


What is 'Operations'?
Operations covers all expenses that help the organization function and stay legal.  This includes insurances, licenses, office supplies, rent, mortgage, etc.  Although we have seen a 20% increase in our Operations budget for 2024, the percentage of our budget allocated for Operations remains much lower than the average church.  The increase for this years budget is the result of needing to rent space for our growing ministries during the week as well as inflation increases and increased rental costs at the Theater.

What is included in Ministry?
Our Ministry budget captures money that is spent on ministries that seek to connect, equip and care for our growing congregation.  This includes Kids, Students, Men, Women, Worship, Discipleship, Connections, Membership Process, Outdoor Services, and Sunday Morning expenses.

How will the Missions budget be allocated?
This budget is broken up into three categories: Local, Global, and Church Planting.  Global Missions is receiving the greatest investment increase as we allocate funds to equip and send two Sojourn couples as full-time global missionaries!  35% of our missions budget is given to plant churches in North America through the Harbor Network.   We love to be part of God's kingdom work throughout our nation and around our world, but we are also working to expand our efforts in Woodstock and Cherokee County.  Our newly created, Missions Team, is working hard to establish new partnerships, strengthen our existing partners and create opportunities to mobilize our congregation.  
Sojourn Missions Team:   Mark Sigmon, Gary Klinger, Bethany Herron and Sally Williams.

What is 'Future Growth'?
Every year, we have set aside funds for Future Growth as we continue to steward God’s resources for what’s next.  With 6 months of operating expenses in the bank, we have hit our savings goals and believe we need to set aside this budget category for future building expenses or future growth opportunities.  We are grateful for the ability to meet in Woodstock Arts Theater, but we know that if we remain there, greater investment will be required in that space.  While we continue to invest resources to figure out our long-term presence in the Main Street development, we know that this is still years out from becoming a reality.  We are actively looking for a new space for the immediate future that can better meet our growing needs with Kids Ministry and Discipleship on Sunday mornings.