How does this new ministry align with the purpose of North Shore Bible Church? According to the church’s constitution: ”The purpose of NSBC is to develop Christ-like people who are experiencing the abundant life offered by Christ. Our focus is loving God, loving others, serving together and reaching out to those who don’t yet know Jesus. Our ultimate goal is to do all things for the honor and the glory of our savior, Jesus Christ.“ The goal of this new ministry is very much aligned with the stated purpose of the church.

What services are in scope for Phase I of the Charis care ministry? 
Phase I covers emergency financial support for things like rent, medical expenses, utility bills, vehicle-related expenses, groceries, etc.  It is intended for NSBC members, regular attendees and their immediate family members.

Are the Phase I benefits limited to NSBC members? 
The urgent financial support that may be provided during Phase I is intended for North Shore members and regular attendees and their immediate family members.

Does this new ministry replace or otherwise impact other existing ministries at North Shore? No existing ministries will be replaced as a result of this new benevolence focused ministry. Further, no existing ministries will be asked to come under the umbrella of Charis.  However, we do believe there may be significant opportunities to collaborate with existing ministries, Bible study groups, small groups, and existing community programs to find synergies between our efforts by brainstorming future service opportunities and possibly drawing volunteers from these other existing groups. Our intention is to partner well with existing ministries where it makes sense.

Does the Charis ministry require financial support for just Phase I now or for all 3 phases?  Presently, our primary focus is raising funds to support the emergency financial assistance cases included in Phase I. Since we don’t know what the demand might be for this service, there is a possibility that more money will be donated than is eventually needed for Phase I.  If that is the case, all excess funds would be used solely for Phases II and III of the ministry. Charis has a standalone account at NSBC and 100% of funds designated for Charis will ultimately be used by the Charis Care Ministry exclusively.

What are my options for making a financial donation to this new ministry? Charis has its own dedicated financial account and is required by the charter to be self-sufficient from a financial standpoint.  Therefore, all donations made to the Charis ministry will be strictly used only by this ministry and will not be shared with other church financial accounts. Likewise, Charis will not borrow from or otherwise rely on any funding from other North Shore Bible Church accounts.

There are 3 ways to give to the ministry:
1. Online at Northshorebc.org/give - Giving online is quick and easy. Be sure to click on Charis Care Ministry in the “Select Fund” section.  This will ensure your donation goes to the ministry.
2. Give In Person - Offering boxes are located at every NSBC entrance. Make your check out to North Shore Bible Church and be sure to write Charis on the memo line.
3. Mail Your Donation - Make your check out to North Shore Bible Church and be sure to write Charis on the memo line. Send to: North Shore Bible Church at P.O. Box 391 Manson, WA 98831.

Can I volunteer starting in Phase I?  We are presently determining what, if any, volunteer resources will be needed during Phase I. There likely won’t be a need for volunteers in Phase I given the limited scope and the need for confidentiality for those requesting urgent financial support. We encourage anyone interested in eventually serving in this ministry for Phases II and III to pre-register their interest at any time by going to the Volunteer tab on the Charis website page.

How will people make their emergency financial needs known in Phase I? There is a link to the Financial Assistance Application Form on the Charis website page. Instructions for completing and submitting the form for review are found via that same link.

What is the review process for Phase I financial support requests?  Once an Application for Financial Assistance form is submitted, the information provided will be reviewed by the Charis team. If additional information is required, you will be notified. The goal is to respond to any application received at the church within 2 business days.

How will confidentiality be maintained for those requesting emergency financial assistance?  Best efforts will be made by the 5 Steering Committee members to keep all details surrounding the application process confidential - including any copies of bills and financial statements etc. to justify expense amounts. If an applicant desires to have the entire Board of Elders be made aware of their situation - for prayer and support - that can be indicated on the application form.

Did the Board of Elders approve this new ministry?  Absolutely. A formal proposal was presented to the Elder Board where numerous questions were asked and guidance was provided by the elders. After deliberating on their own, the Elder Board unanimously approved the proposal for a new benevolence ministry. Two elders were then assigned to the steering committee to provide ongoing oversight.

How is the ministry governed?  Charis is managed by a 5-person Steering Committee, of which two will be current members of the NSBC Board of Elders. Members are requested to serve in this role for at least two years. This committee is guided by the Charis Care Ministry Charter and is accountable to the NSBC Board of Elders. Policy statements and standard operating procedures ensure consistent application and delivery of services. In addition, written monthly reports will be provided to the Board of Elders.

How can I best support the Charis ministry?  The effectiveness of the Charis ministry will be, in a large part, determined by the level of participation among the church body. There are 4 specific ways in which you can help us now:

• Pray for the overall success of the ministry
• Ask God for areas that He may want you to serve
• Provide financial support
• Pre-register your potential interest in volunteering on the Charis website page under Volunteer so you can be informed as new service opportunities emerge

Will you be sharing regularly with the church body the impact the ministry is having? We do plan to share stories of how people are being helped through the Charis care ministry as the opportunity presents itself. We believe it is important for the congregation to understand the needs in both the church body and the surrounding community. This will be dependent upon, of course, the permission of those receiving the services.

Who can I contact if I have a question about the benevolence ministry?  You can reach the Charis team by sending an email to [email protected]. Alternatively you can speak directly with anyone on the Charis Steering Committee. If your request is urgent, please call the church office and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.

When will the Phase II and III Services be determined? We will immediately begin planning for Phase II services, and this will eventually include reaching out to leaders of existing ministries to explore synergistic opportunities. Our commitment is to not launch a new phase until the prior phase is running smoothly and delivering excellent service.  Also, within Phases II and III, our intention is to roll out a smaller and more manageable number of services at first in order to again ensure excellence in service delivery.