My name is Chris Jasper, and I have been the Treasurer for the Corbin District of the United Methodist Church since 1996. I have the great pleasure of working with talented leaders of our District including Robert Wood, Jim Byrd, Don Young, and now Rev. Terry Faris.
All bring their unique talents and leadership (servant) philosophies to help all our Churches, large and small, across our District.
It is a special honor for me to serve in this position of service as I grew up in the District at Mintonville and have been a member of the United Methodist Church since I was 11 years old (36 years +)!
As Rev. Terry likes to say, I grew up with a "drug" problem as my parents "drug" me to church every week, as my dad’s parents had "drug" him.
My wife, Patricia, and I were married on 9/11 of 1982 in the Liberty United Methodist Church, where she was a member. Our three children, Kirsten, 20, Hilary, 17, and Jon-Tyler, 14 were christened as babies and baptized into the faith in various churches in and near the District. I became involved in the Lay Speaking program in the District while living in Stanford, Kentucky and have served as Part-time Pastor of Burnett Chapel United Methodist Church in Pulaski County from December, 1986 to December, 1990, and again from October, 1998 until now. We are honored to be involved with such a wonderful, affirming congregation, and a living, vibrant District where all of us are connected in faith.
Over the past few years, I have seen support and participation in the various funds increase, as more and more churches understand the purpose of the funds and see them put to use in many helpful ways. Each Church gives 5% of their Pastor’s salary to the District to pay for expenses of the Parsonage maintenance, upkeep, and operation, expenses for meetings and gatherings, assistance for various Church projects with building improvements, etc. These funds are divided with 47.5% going equally into the Parsonage Fund and the Promotion Fund, and 5% going into the Extension Fund. Funds in the Parsonage Fund pay for Parsonage expenses including insurance, telephone, cable, gas, water, maintenance, repairs, improvements, etc. Last year we spent over $22,000 for these purposes. The Promotion Fund pays for postage, materials, meetings, travel, meals, lodging, expense reimbursement, Pastor consultations and psychological exams (as required to enter the ministry), and office work hired on an as needed basis. Last year, over $18,000 was spent in this category. The Extension Fund was originally funded from the sale or rental of buildings and grounds owned by the District as Churches closed or ceased to operate. Since I have been Treasurer, no properties have been sold and the fund has dwindled down to a very small balance. In 2003, however, the Trustees decided to put 5% of the Churches’ funds, given to the District, into this Fund. This money is used to help Churches in the District make major repairs, improvements, and additions to the buildings and facilities they maintain when it is difficult for the Churches to do so without some assistance. The District Superintendent makes recommendations for these grants to the Trustees, and I get to write the checks to the Churches when their grant requests are approved. Last year, we were able to help six Churches with such improvements totaling $5,200. Repairs included leaking roofs, broken heat and air systems, handicap accessibility, and Church additions. Unfortunately, our balance has fallen to $4,000 in the Extension Fund and the needs across the District far outweigh the resources.
Last year, over 95% of the amount due from our District Churches for District Funds was provided to make our Connectional System work. This compares to just over 89% in 2002!! All the District Superintendents, I have had the honor of working with, have made a sincere effort to let all Churches in our District know of the importance of participating fully in these funds, and how this support makes all our Congregations stronger in so many ways. I am honored to be a small part of service to the Churches of our District, and to be able to help, in a very small way, our District Leaders support and enable our congregations and our Pastors to spread the Gospel of Christ to a world in great need. I welcome your questions and your prayers for all our efforts.
Sincerely,
Chris Jasper
This new branch was officially opened on Dec. 1, 2004, and Terry Faris was there to support Chris in this new opportunity in his life, and to take some photos: his name on the bank sign, and Chris standing with Melissa Mitchell, Customer Service Representative.
