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Sep 1, 2026 Leave a Comment

SCO District – District Treasurer

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More Than Numbers: The Ministry of the Church Treasurer

Serving as a local church treasurer is an important ministry, but it is not always an easy one. Between counting and recording contributions, paying bills, processing payroll, preparing reports, reconciling accounts, managing budgets, and keeping up with denominational and government requirements, the responsibilities can quickly become overwhelming. Many of our church treasurers are volunteers or serve in other roles within their churches as well. If you have ever looked at the books and thought, “I’m not sure I know what I’m doing,” you are certainly not alone.

One thing I want every treasurer across the South Central Ohio District to know is this: you are not simply keeping books—you are serving the ministry of your local church. Good financial stewardship creates a foundation that allows pastors and congregations to focus on their mission. Every deposit properly recorded, every bill paid on time, every report prepared, and every dollar carefully accounted for contributes to the health and integrity of the church. Much of what a treasurer does happens quietly behind the scenes, but that does not make the work any less valuable to the Kingdom.

At the same time, the South Central Ohio District recognizes that treasurers need resources, trainings, and people they can turn to when questions arise. Church finances can be complicated, and no one should be expected to know everything. Whether your question involves Nazarene budgets, payroll, financial reporting, QuickBooks/NTS, reimbursements, designated funds, year-end responsibilities, or simply how to organize your church’s financial records, please do not be afraid to ask for help. Sometimes the most important thing a treasurer can do is recognize when a question needs to be asked.

One of our district goals is to help make the treasury responsibilities of the SCO churches more manageable. We want to continue developing practical resources and providing guidance that helps our local treasurers serve with greater confidence. We also want to hear from you! What part of being a church treasurer is most difficult for you? What resources would make your job easier? What questions have you wanted to ask but haven’t known whom to ask? Your feedback can help us identify where additional training, templates, instructions, or other resources are needed across our district. You can reach out by emailing me at jcook@sconaz.org. I would also enjoy meeting you in person during our upcoming District Tour that is mentioned in this newsletter. We will have a breakout session that will be filled with great resources for church treasurers. Let’s navigate the waters together!

Finally, thank you. Thank you for the hours you spend working with numbers when no one else sees it. Thank you for protecting the resources God has entrusted to your congregation. Thank you for helping your pastor, church board, and congregation understand the financial health of the church. And thank you for serving faithfully. You do not have to carry the responsibility of church treasury alone. We are one district, serving one mission, and our desire is that every local church treasurer knows that help, encouragement, and support are available.

Your Brother In Christ,

Pastor Joshua Cook

SCO District Treasurer

Pastor at Nelsonville Church

jcook@sconaz.org

NEWS FROM ACROSS THE DISTRICT

Congratulations to Edward and Ashley Solano at the early arrival of their sweet baby boy, Nico Rafael! He was born at 32 weeks, weighing 3.1 lbs. He is healthy and the doctors are amazed at how well he is doing for being so young. We celebrate this new life!

Lower Lights Community

Pastor Gary Webb has accepted the call to pastor Lower Lights Community. He will be installed as pastor there on Sunday, October 11. Congratulations to Pastor Gary, Kendra, and Braxton on this exciting opportunity.

NEW SOUTH CENTRAL OHIO

WOMEN’S MINISTRY

DIRECTOR –

Sharon Dodds Cameron

It is with great joy that we announce to you that Sharon Dodds Cameron has accepted the invitation to become the Women's Ministry Director for SCO. Welcome Sharon!

Sharon is currently a voting member of the SCO NDI council. Please pray for her as she seeks God's wisdom in building the Women's council and God's vision to make disciples through Women's ministry,

So often, when the district hosts a leadership gathering, our churches drive to us. This November, we’re flipping that script: the district team is loading up and coming to the four corners of the South Central Ohio District for a four-night Leadership Tour.

Mark your calendar:

November 8–11, 2026

6:30–8:30 p.m. – At a church near you!

• Nov. 8 — Cornerstone (Wheelersburg)

• Nov. 9 — Gallipolis First

• Nov. 10 — Grace Community (New Lexington)

• Nov. 11 — Dayspring (Canal Winchester)

Why are we doing this? Honestly, it’s simple. We want to say thank you, and we want to make it easier for you to say yes. Pastors, treasurers, board members, and other church leaders already carry full schedules, and driving across the district for one more evening meeting is a real ask.

So this time, we’re bringing the meeting closer to you — a small way of saying we see you, and we’re grateful for you.

Each evening follows the same rhythm

6:30–7:15 p.m. — Plenary Session. Introductions, gratitude, and a short teaching on the Three Cs of Leadership: Character, Competence, and Charisma.

7:15–8:00 p.m. — Workshops. Tailored to your role. Pastors and board members will dig into board training and leadership development with Eddie Estep. Treasurers will get hands-on FTM training and best practices with Josh Cook. NDI leaders — Sunday school teachers and small group leaders — will explore “The Heart, Hands, and Habits of Discipleship.” NMI and NYI leaders will be resourced as well.

8:00–8:30 p.m. — Resources and Conversation. How can the district best serve you?

This isn’t just for lead pastors. It’s for every leader in your church — experienced, new, and emerging — church board members, Sunday school teachers, small group leaders, and anyone God is stirring toward greater ministry. If you’ve been wondering whether you’re “leader enough” to attend, the answer is yes.

Pick the night closest to you, gather a few leaders from your church, and come. We’re not asking you to make the trip this time — we’re making it, because you’re worth it.

We can’t wait to see you there.

Young Clergy Refresh Day is a one-day gathering designed to encourage, renew, and connect young pastors across our district. Join us on September 12th at Hocking Hills Retreat Center from 10am-1:30pm for a time of spiritual refreshment, practical encouragement, and meaningful community with fellow young clergy (40 and under). Whether you’re feeling energized or running on empty, this day is for you. RSVP here

Young Clergy Refresh Day – Fill out form

Join Dr. Eddie for an inspiring Zoom LDI on Monday, September 14, 7:00 – 8:30 pm. This encouraging training will equip you with practical insights as we learn how to allow God to work through us and produce lasting, fruitful results.

There is no cost to attend. Please register here

Ten Habits of Fruitful Pastors- Training – South Central Ohio District to reserve your spot. The Zoom link will be emailed to registered participants as the event date approaches.

Join us September 18–19 at the SCO District Center at HHRC in Logan, Ohio, for DCPI’s Church Planting Essentials (CPE) Training.

This training is for anyone who wants to better understand what it means to plant a church—whether you’re interested in an organic model, a high-impact launch, a house church, or another expression of church planting. If you’re exploring a possible call to plant, curious about how church planting works, or simply passionate about The Great Commission and seeing new churches reach new people, we’d love for you to be part of it.

CPE provides practical, foundational training to help participants think biblically and strategically about the multiplication of disciples and starting healthy churches.

For more information or to register, go here:
https://sco.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3795775

Questions? Please contact Joshua Porterfield at newworks@sconaz.org.

CRISIS CARE KITS

Every year we collect Crisis Care Kits that are distributed around the world to communities affected by disasters. As you know, these kits provide much needed supplies and comfort during the most difficult times in their lives. In fact, recently CCK’s were distributed to the flood victims of Roseville, Crooksville, and New Lexington – communities right here on our district. Our district NMI has purchased all the items needed for 400 CKK’s, however, we need the helping hands to put them together. Would you please join us this Friday, September 4, beginning at 3:00 at the HHRC in Logan and help assemble the kits? We’ll meet in the downstairs conference room just behind the new district office. It would also be helpful if you could bring a few banana boxes. And why not bring a friend or two!

In grateful appreciation,

Carol Lee Carpenter

District NMI President

What an incredible group of Ministry Leaders who have registered to attend the MTR next month! We’re so excited for the weekend ahead and grateful for everyone who will be joining us.

Registration is now closed. If you have any questions or concerns about the weekend over the next couple of weeks, please reach out to Darla at dbatson@sconaz.org.

First Quarter Reports

More encouraging reports!

“Nine new Nazarenes this quarter and at least five more are signed up for the next membership class in August. Three new visitors have accepted Christ this quarter.” – Newark First

“God has been blessing our church.” – Plymouth Heights

“God is leading us by faith. We have heard some very positive feedback by outside our church community of the impact of our ministries in our mission field.” – Portsmouth Sciotoville

Registration for the Christmas Banquet will be open September 15!

RESOURCE HIGHLIGHTS

Save the date! MVNU Homecoming will be held November 13–14, 2026. Alumni, families, and friends are invited to return to campus for a weekend of celebration, connection, and MVNU traditions. Find event details and updates here

Homecoming | MVNU

Even in the heat of summer, we are beginning to prepare for Christmas, and we hope you will make plans to join us.

The 2026 NCM Christmas Project, Room for Every Child, will highlight how local churches around the world are caring for children displaced by conflict, disaster, poverty, and instability.

Across every world region, Nazarene churches are opening their doors through schools, child development centers, emergency relief efforts, safe spaces, meals, tutoring programs, trauma care, and Christ-centered community. Through these ministries, children are finding stability, continuing their education, receiving emotional and spiritual care, and discovering a place to belong.

Throughout Advent, we will share stories of churches in Trinidad, Kenya, the Philippines, and more, walking alongside displaced children and their families with compassion, dignity, and hope. We invite you and your church to begin making plans to participate through prayer, giving, and sharing these stories with others.

Help Make Room for Every Child: Become a Christmas Project Ambassador

The Christmas Project Ambassador program is returning for 2026. Ambassadors will help churches and communities engage with Room for Every Child by sharing stories, encouraging prayer, and inviting others to support local churches caring for displaced children around the world.

The ambassador program sign-up is not yet open, but more information and ready-to-share resources will be available soon. For now, we invite you to begin praying about how you might help make room for every child this Advent season.

Now

• Save space on your church’s Advent calendar.

• Plan to talk with your pastor, church board, or NMI president. Start by checking out this guide.

• Share examples of last year’s Christmas Project resources to help leaders imagine how your church could participate.

• Watch for ambassador registration and new resources coming early October.

All ambassador resources will be free and designed to make it simple for churches, small groups, families, and individuals to participate.

Every child deserves a place to belong. Together, we can help make room at the table, in the classroom, in the community, and in the family of God.

More details are coming soon. Thank you for beginning to pray about how you and your church might participate in the 2026 NCM Christmas Project.

~Nazarene Compassionate Ministries

September 14: LDI “Ten Habits of Fruitful Pastors” – Zoom – Register here:

Ten Habits of Fruitful Pastors- Training – South Central Ohio District

September 18 – 19: Church Planting Essential Training – HHRC – Register here:

Church Planting Essential Training

October 2 – 4: Ministry Team Retreat (MTR) Amish Country

November 13-14: MVNU Homecoming

November 8-11: District Leadership Tour 6:30-8:30 pm Locations:

Nov. 8 Cornerstone; Nov. 9 Gallipolis; Nov. 10 Grace Community; Nov. 11 Day Spring

November 30: District Christmas Banquet (Grove City – The Naz)

January 16: Reset for Ministry Spouses (Estep’s Home – Byesville, Ohio)

Resetminiretreat@gmail.com or dbatson@sconaz.org

February 20: Equip (Location TBA)

July 11 – 18: Camp Meeting (HHRC)

Pray with us that God will help us plant many new congregations in the next 5 years, both within the I-270 outer belt and across the district. Who might God be calling? Where might God be calling?

The Next Yes… for yourself, for your church, for your district.