The Center helped Park Road Baptist, Charlotte, in their strategic visioning process.

Now they are aspiring to go 50-50.

"We will inspire a culture of generosity," said Dr. Russ Dean, who leads the church with his wife and co-pastor, Amy Jacks Dean.

Article Reprinted from wbtv.com (http://www.wbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13672994)

Church decides to go "50-50"

By Sharon Smith - bio l email

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) -- It's that time of year when people give more. They want to help the less fortunate, find a little extra they can donate to a good cause.

For one local church, that spirit of giving is becoming a bigger year-round priority.

Park Road Baptist wants to go 50-50.

"We will inspire a culture of generosity," said Dr. Russ Dean, who leads the church with his wife and co-pastor, Amy Jacks Dean.

The church gives about 10-percent of its budget to missions now, which is average for most churches. Dean wants to take it 50-50, by re-evaluating what they already do and seeing where they can give more.

He's gotten a few crazy looks. The general reaction has been "wow."

"Well, it's a pretty audacious goal," he said.

Payroll is often a church's biggest expense, taking up anywhere from 42 to 50-percent of their budget. Building maintenance, facilities and utilities take up another big chunk, around 20-percent. Missions might get a 5 to 15-percent slice, depending on the church.

"I'm absolutely excited by it. It's challenging. Intriguing, really," said member Buck Blankenship. He serves on the committee over seeing the 50-50 goal.

"I think it's feasible. I'm actually more confident than Russ is," said Blankenship with a smile. He believes church members will give more if they feel the money is going to a worthy cause.

Park Road Baptist already works with groups like Habitat for Humanity, Crisis Assistance Ministries, and Mecklenburg Ministries. The 50-50 commitment stands to amplify their giving to those groups.

Any undesignated tithes and offerings taken up on Sunday mornings will be designated to a local mission.

Dr. Bill Wilson with the Centers for Congregational Health says the goal at PRBC is an ambitious one. He knows of no other churches in the state trying to go 50-50.

Wilson said the average church members tithes 2.5 percent. He said if every member gave slightly more, the 50-50 goal would be easily reached.

"I have no idea where we'll be ten years from now, whether we will be a 50-50 church," said Dean. If the goal causes them to look inward and give more, then it will be a success, he said.

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