RMCNews – Denver, Colorado … “We are thankful to report that our total tithe and base tithe, excluding windfalls, have strengthened through the month of July,” George Crumley, RMC VP for finance, stated to the members of Rocky Mountain Conference Executive Committee August 18.

“When we looked at our June report, base tithe was down 3.92 percent compared to the prior year. The good news is that our July report showed base tithe was only down .55 percent.  Now, lest we become overly elated, it is always important to make sure we are comparing apples with apples. As we looked at that report more closely, we noted that last year, three large churches were still outstanding when we closed our remittances for the month, whereas this year those churches were in on time,”

He further explained that “if you adjust the percentage as if those churches had been in on time last year, our base tithe would be down by around 2.00 percent as opposed to .55 percent. Still, with that adjustment, we have improved by almost 2.00 percent when compared to RMC’s June report.”

Commenting on the report, Ed Barnett, RMC president, said, “I praise God for what He is doing and the faithful stewardship of our members.” Crumley echoed his words, “We very much appreciate the faithful support of each of you in returning your tithes and offerings. Not only do these gifts support the Rocky Mountain Conference, but also your local church. Additionally, because of the sharing of our tithes within the Adventist Church structure, it advances ministry throughout the world.” He expressed hope that “we can continue to have funding to advance the gospel even in these difficult times. May the Lord continue to bless each of you in the days ahead.”

Barnett reported that though “GVR was unable to conduct summer camps, 16 young people worked this summer doing projects around the camp. They also provided services for small groups using the camp facilities.”

Referring to the effect of COVID -19, he expressed “great appreciation for the challenges met by pastors, teachers and principals during this time. They need our continued support and prayers.”

Addressing the situation of churches under pandemic restrictions, Eric Nelson, RMC VP for administration, commented “that primary importance should still be placed on social distancing, cleaning churches properly, and cooperating with the mask mandates by the state of Colorado and New Mexico.”

In reference to pending Town Hall meetings currently under the COVID-19 restrictions, Barnett explained the process that will be used to “meet with the RMC church members, [though] it will not be possible to conduct area meetings” as before. “Yet we wish to comply with the requirement for annual events by receiving input and sharing reports with our conference membership.”

The plan includes recording a video presentation of the officer reports followed by addressing questions submitted by members. The video will be posted on the conference website on October 9 and may be viewed individually or shown in church meetings. Church members are encouraged to send their questions for administration to them by September 1.

The meeting of the Executive Committee concluded with a report by Lonnie Hetterle, RMC education superintendent, who shared an education update from around the Conference. He expressed appreciation for Cathy Kissner, RMC coordinator of community services and disaster relief, who obtained masks for churches and schools as well as hand sanitizer.

For the current academic year, 18 new teachers were employed within RMC, representing many school positions around the conference. For the majority of schools in our conference, Hetterle said most schools had a small drop in enrollments compared with the previous year. “Most [schools] were worried there would be a huge drop in enrollment. There was not,” he commented. Don Reeder, Campion Adventist Academy principal reported that Campion’s opening enrollment was 143 with the potential for more students to join the Academy.

–RMCNews