Seldom discussed but very important issue - Navs Finances
Rene
Amir and all,
In parallel to the issue that you would like for the group to discuss, can I suggest that we also have a conversation about:
The Navs Finances:
I yet have to observe a session that the financial situation and issues of the Navs is discussed openly and objectively. I just felt that there is a need to discuss it here and somehow can help resolve some of the prevailing issues.
Here are my questions, and hoping that those who know can give answers and clarifications, and start the ball rolling.
1. What’s the present financial status of the Navs in the Philippines?
- What’s the level of support does the Navs staffs and admin personnel in general?
- To what extend does the monetary concern affects the sending of personnel going to foreign and local missions? Or to the vision and objectives?
2. Is there a direct correlation of the increase of the supports coming in as that of the increase of the “congregation”?
- What is the average annual increase of the Navs congregation?
- What is the average annual increase of the “tithes and giving” received?
- What’s the percentage of the Navs congregation that are actively giving to the Navs?
- Are there money coming in from other institutions such as local churches, NGOs, businesses and companies, Navs “sariling-kayod” businesses?
- Is there a department or team or a task force looking into “improving the financial status” of the Navs?
3. How about the money coming from “outside the Philippines” such as OFWs, Global Pinoys?
- At what percentage from abroad against the local?
- What’s the present scheme of receiving supports from abroad? Can it still be improve?
- Is there a working arrangement with the Navs abroad (e.g. Navs USA, Canada, etc.) on support flow?
4. To those OFWs and Global Pinoys, are you guys sending supports to the Navs, or to a Navs staff?
- For me, to be honest, I AM NOT presently. Why? I will give my answer later.
- To others, why?
It is interesting to know the statistics and the reasons.
Rene Bongo
RG
Dear Rene,
Thank you very much for initiating this topic, indeed I agree that this topic is seldom discussed openly with the Nav constituencies. Mga shy man ang mga staff hehehehe. Anyway what I am going to share is un-official but rest assured that the NLT are listening to us and I know they will be picking up our discussion. Here are some outline of the way Nav ministries are financed. Generally its all donor based.
1. Staff Supports - When a person is assigned as staff (after after going through the process), he or she is completely responsible in raising his own support. The staff will submit his/her itemized budget and together with the Admin (NLT) will examine the budget and then approve. In case of Staff outside the Phils. The receiving country will also help in setting the right budget. Before a staff is permitted to go overseas he must have a buffer fund of 3 months, and at least 80% of his budget are pledged by donors/partners.
All the financial supports received by the staff are reported to the Nav office for receipting. So Donors must receive that receipts.. From here, the Nav office will deduct the necessary deductions like SSS, Pag-ibig, retirement (for the staff) and also General fund, NLT fund and Asia Fund (these are small amount). The general fund which is I think (5-7%) is the one used for the Nav office maintenance and operation (salary of the admin employees).
2. Project Based Support - Some Staff or the Navs as an organization will have project/s so again if it is staff initiated then the staff is responsible to raise the support, when it is Nav initiated, the Nav Board and NLT are responsible for it with the support of some or all staff. Some donors prefer to give on program/project rather that to individual staff.
3. From the Building - As you know PhilNavs is now having a building on its own built during the time of K.Wency. This building accommodates seminars and lodging for navs friends, this is contributing a lot to the office operations.
4. Nav Book Store - Its a ministry in itself and also contributing to the operation of the PhilNavs Office if the sales is good.
So from anywhere in country and abroad staff will approach individuals and other organizations (foundations for example) for support. The NLT and the Board are raising for big projects/progams. there are also donors who would give to the PhilNavs as a whole then the NLT determines where it will go. There are amount that goes to all the staff in pro-rata basis.
Donors from other countries like US I do not know with Canada can give through the Country Navs and they forward it to PhilNavs of course with corresponding administrative charges. Many of the Donors abroad just send their support directly to the staff and the staff report them to the nav office. But still there is difficulties in sending their supports, so the Navs have devised some ways like sending through Paypal where donors can send through internet directly to the nav office. The great advantage of this is you can send even 5$ or 10$, Lani is doing that we can ask her to make the instruction.
As to the statistics This is i think a good thing to do (Bobot is listening) - this can be done although there are some difficulties, because we do not have an official membership in the navs. Basta muingon ka nga navs Ka, or naka apil ka ug BS or fellowship sa una well navs naka. hehehehe, the only official members of the Navs are the staff and the office personel. This is amazing and unique for an organization isn't it? well, what can you suggest? shall we maintain a rooster of nav members? heheheh I don't know. For the financial statistics I think the nav office has the general figure, again it simply adding the gift income of the staffs, donations for projects, income from the building, and from book store. I don't know if the nav office have done that, but I think they should. We will here from Bobot, becuase he is in-charge of the Admin and he is also chairing the NLT this year.
RG.
Wency
Hi Rene,
Please see my response to your questions below. Thank you for the questions.
Wency
The Navs Finances:
I yet have to observe a session that the financial situation and issues of the Navs is discussed openly and objectively. I just felt that there is a need to discuss it here and somehow can help resolve some of the prevailing issues.
Here are my questions, and hoping that those who know can give answers and clarifications, and start the ball rolling.
1. What’s the present financial status of the Navs in the Philippines?
- What’s the level of support does the Navs staffs and admin personnel in general? The Nav Field staff (FS) are expected tp raise 100% of his support for family and ministry are always under-funded. The average support as far as I can remember is between 60-70 percent of the budget. The Admin Staff are salaried so their pay is guaranteed by the Navigators from the Admin charges (7%) taken from staff fund..we have given their pay at the right time, regularly.
When FS do not have support or giving at the Nav office, they do not receive pay or even Ministry reimbursement. We spend first for ministry then we reimburse te expenses.
As a rule, all giving is remitted to the Nav Office for receipting and accountability. Donors can check from the office if their gifts are received. Navigator ministry DO NOT guarantee or even give financial support to staff.
- To what extend does the monetary concern affects the sending of personnel going to foreign and local missions? Or to the vision and objectives? When you do not have resources you cannot do what needs to be done. We have more people who wants to go to the mission field than what we can afford to send. Again as a rule, we dont want to send those who cannot raise their support. So most of our missionaries are actually working. A few FS were advised to resign due to lack of finances, so they can find job to support their family. We dont want their families be sacrificed.
2. Is there a direct correlation of the increase of the supports coming in as that of the increase of the “congregation”�? Since for 40 years, navs passed on the contacts to churches, we do not have formal membership. However many churches discourage giving to Navs...our contacts are usually required to give solely to churches. So in a sense we do not grow as a "congregation" especially with too much focused on campus ministry but not having an effective ministry among alumni. We are in a way "losing" them.
- What is the average annual increase of the Navs congregation?
- What is the average annual increase of the “tithes and giving”� received?
- What’s the percentage of the Navs congregation that are actively giving to the Navs? Only a small percentage of alumni are giving to Navs. I dont know the percentage.
- Are there money coming in from other institutions such as local churches, NGOs, businesses and companies, Navs “sariling-kayod”� businesses?. Yes, a few churches are supporting a few staff and some staff have "sideline" to augment their income. the big percentage of our support still comes from individual donors.
- Is there a department or team or a task force looking into “improving the financial status”� of the Navs? Yes, the Resource Devt Department. Ched Arzadon is in charge of that at present.
3. How about the money coming from “outside the Philippines”� such as OFWs, Global Pinoys?
- At what percentage from abroad against the local? Generally, less than 20% are coming from outside
- What’s the present scheme of receiving supports from abroad? Can it still be improve? People can send through Paypal. To support using Paypal, just visit www.philnavs.org and follow the link. US donors can send through US Navs which deducts about 10.4%. Gifts coming from US Navs are not deducted with admin charge in the Philippines.
- Is there a working arrangement with the Navs abroad (e.g. Navs USA, Canada, etc.) on support flow? Only with USA, Singapore and Malaysia. They take 10%. Canadian gifts are actually sent through the US Navs as far as I know.
4. To those OFWs and Global Pinoys, are you guys sending supports to the Navs, or to a Navs staff?
- For me, to be honest, I AM NOT presently. Why? I will give my answer later.
- To others, why?
It is interesting to know the statistics and the reasons.
Mely
an issue, it is.... just visited the internet now, so will write my thoughts on this, prayerfully, back at my pad - in paper with a pen....
meanwhile, it's post valentine so let me indulge ug kadiyot binasahay sa uban.....
thanks, mely
Mely dear kabahagi,
as i ponder again the issues on finance, i noticed that the questions raised were directly pointed to nav status..nevertheless, being part of a faith-org that gave me a critical perspective in my own development as a global “dot”� christian, i felt i need to participate to an issue that remains unarticulated for some...in the hope that those in the giving and receiving end, if nothing else, will be stimulated to engage themselves in the joy of sharing..
“are there money coming from other institutions such as local churches, ngos..?”�
“is there a task force looking into improving the financial status.?”�
“is there a direct correlation of the increase of supports coming in.the congregation?”�
the last three years prior to my joining uhwi, i worked full-time in a church setting..... i handled the admin-finance side of it...my reason was simply that i want to understand the mind-set of a church..mission-orgs are on the receiving end with church giving but there seems to be misunderstanding/demands when it comes down to expectations...i didn.t understand this before so i hopped-in the church wagon...
it didn.t take long to know that while churches give to missionaries, they only give to those who are “home-grown”�..outside of their fishnet is just not everybody.s language..and while the sum total is generous, the bite-size of it when meshed (in distribution) becomes vey nil, if not negligible..
others tried the avenue of grant-making but even this is very much project-based and entails a whole lot of technical writing than most people realize..project proposals normally does not cover admin cost much less personal support..and missionaries who are into the advocacy of christian values &/or discipleship program find the endeavor a lonely path to trod..it being the road less traveled...
and how is it at the end of the road?.....missionaries find themselves ill-equipped as oppose to a factory-equipped soul that faith-orgs packaged them to be..
so what to do?......missionaries learn a paradigm of creating a culture of inclusiveness involving the global pinoys to join in the vision..
there is, however, an area of concern seldom talked about but could be heard in the inner circle .. and this is about the moral boundary on money matters...we all know that nobody can be forced to give because a guilt-trip is no less commendable than paying a one-way ticket to the moon..but we also know that even good intentions can be distorted by the means by which we implement it...simply put, even blessings can sometimes be an extension of one.s bloated or wounded ego...
so where is stewardship in the picture?....or better still, where do we draw the line?....answer: a line is drawn where accountability exist...faith-orgs of today meaningfully integrate their focus not only on what they do but also on how they handle their blessings...as such, passion-driven missionaries and faith-orgs emerged embracing the view of the battlefield with as much courage and commitment as their partners/ supporters who rallied with them back home...
think-tanking as forthright as can be,
mely
Omar Dear to all especially on the issue of finances...or giving and sharing money...
There are alot of question raised about giving ...especially to our workers in the navigator...why stress yourself in having some question about finances... start giving and I guarrantee you that all your questuion will be answered...Giving.. is honoring to God...proverb 3:9...honoring our Lord God, a prime importance in our life.So why question many things ...when we share our resources to Him...God move to bless us also...
K. Omar
Ruby
Dear Kuya Omar,
I believe that all the questions cited in the exchanges are valid and
healthy. I completely disagree with you on discouraging people from
asking their questions!
In fact it is good to hear the reasons why they are not motivated to
give to the Navs.. maybe we can rectify some preconceived ideas or some
unanswered questions. We give as we are prompted by the Lord..
But, it is just like selling your product. How could we purchase it if
we don't know much about the product and there are other options on the
market??
BTW, I am promted to write this because there is somebody who doesn't
feel saying something only to be misunderstood..and hoping somebody
will.
peace, ruby
P.S. maybe we should have some form of a survey for the constituents so
as to learn their views on giving and the reason why they are not
supporting the local staffs and projects. It may surprise us as a family
and that could lead to a corrective action/plan. We can turn it around!!
Let's do something about this!!!
RG
Dear Ruby Ug mga Igsoon ko Diri sa Cebu Navs,
I think you hit it right. And I agree that we should honestly share we think about any issue as a family. Now as moderator of this house I would like to open a "NO HOLD BARRED" discussion on this issue, and any opinion and "preconceived ideas" as Ruby termed it is welcome, again this is for all us to learn, the Staff and as a family.
I will start with a question:
1) What do you think the reason why many Navs constituents do not give to the Navs? Here are possible reason that you can build with
a) They don't like the style of the navs that the staffs are crowding me for support because all of them are responsible for their support.
b) The staff do not make their needs known or do not know how to communicate or do not know how to relate to their donors.
c) They see the lifestyle of the staff to be more luxurious than theirs.
d) They do not want to support a person, they want to support a program or a project.
e) The staff are not working hard in the ministry, while we are working hard to support them.
f) Some of my giving were lost, or not reported by the staff.
g) the Staff are not good steward of money.
h) Right now I am committed to a church or person
and so on.....
2) What is your view about giving.
a) When we give what is the inner prompting ( do not think of what is Biblical, just listen to your heart);
a.1. I am giving to God
a.2 I am giving to a friend.
a.3 I am giving to a cause
b) Is giving should be regular? or the the needs arise?
and many other questions, you can pick up any of these for your opinion.
like our sharing on Single Women I hope this will be of help to all of us as a family.
By the way, I think we from Cebu navs, God has raised many committed workers, working full-time in the ministry and willing to risk to misssion fields both locally and overseas, but we are also not very good in terms of giving... so this is a very good discussion indeed. Just shoot your opinion, you do not have to justify your reason. I t could just be one sentence opinio.
RG
Rene
The honest and candid answer of Kuya Wency about the Navs finances is admirable, and he understood certainly the gist of it, while others are not. Ruby’s coming forward and her courage is worth emulating.
Here are some issues at hand: IT’S NOT SIMPLY SAYING “JUST GIVE”�, BUT WHY GIVE TO THE NAVS?
- Why some are not giving to the Navs? Although, some may be are not faithfully giving, but those doing it, why are they not giving to the Navs?
- Is it because they think their Local Church need it more that the Navs?
- May be of the perception that the Navs is already sufficiently funded?
- Are they still convinced about the work and significance of the Navs in the Kingdom?
- Is there transparency of how the funds are spend (e.g. accountability of the staffs) and the lack of it?
- Is there consistency of lifestyle and spending discipline of the staffs?
- What’s the best option to course through the giving? Is there a system in place to facilitate the easy and efficient transfer (from abroad) of funds? Will the Navs issue receipts for “tax purposes? Because here in North America, donations (tithes and giving) to Charitable Institutions are issued receipts that can be use for tax deduction. With this, people are encouraged to give to accredited organizations only.
- Is the old way of “self-soliciting & self-fund raising”� the only and the best option? We have to consider that many good and gifted disciple-makers and leaders are not so eager to personally “ask”� nor do they have the skills to do it. It is untold how many people could have been with the Navs’ work, but “loss”� to other organization because of this. It is sad to know that some staffs have been advised to resign because they can not raise their own funds. It is a flimsy reason that it’s not God’s will for them with the Navs, because they can not make it to the budget. I do not question the decision of the leadership to do that, with due respect, but there should be many ways to raise money, and there should be more efforts done for it.
I rather reserve some of my ideas and give space to others. I hope many will come out and contribute in the discussion of this important issue, rather than just saying hi and hello.
Rene Bongo
Omar
Dear Ruby,
I'm not preventing people to ask question about finances, or giving to navs ...I'm just telling a practical application that GENEROSITY raises no question.. when a girl from cebunavs was hospitalized ....I was move to give not because I know her..... ...I was glad that I was able to help........ whether nav contact,... nav staff...
I hope that it is clear
K. Omar
Venric
bay R.G.
Brod Omar is simply putting it well, that in giving, what matter most - it must come from the heart, and
we give in order to glorify God and to respond to His exceeding generousity towards us. Ruby wants the brighter side of it, and she explored on the practicality of how it shall be fairly distributed. Both issues are evenly welcome. Hope the latter will be addressed squarely.
The Navs Alumni has to be encouraged to execute that unique virtue and art of true giving. In the words of Father Raymond Clennon, Pastor of St.Paul the Apostle, Gurnee - "Generosity comes from the fact that people see themselves as members of the Body of Christ and are responsible for one another". Just a 'little amount' then, and make it regular - weekly, monthly or annually.
I will be doing my share starting tomorrow , mean , a monthly pledge. Hope others will do the same- remember, 'just a little amount cause'.
I know how difficult at times the Navs staff is facing, they do- we do : ALL FOR THE GLORY OF GOD. bay venric
Omar
Dear Vernic,
Thank you .....for understanding what I mean ...that generosity is greatly encouraged...
I do not mean anything ....we can raise so many questions.... the bottom line is our God is so absolutely generous...Prov 3:9-10
Soli Dei Gloria..
K. Omar
Lani
Hi All,
This is my story :)
Most of my tithing, no matter how small in amount, go to Navs. In
relation to K. Rene's points, I believe:
1. The Navs Ministry is relevant.
2. There's a need of funding.
3. The staff show consistency in their lifestyles and are good
stewards of resources.
However, I do believe in PARTNERSHIP than reporting for the sake of
accountability.
Let me share my experiences with other organizations:
1. The staff are really bold enough to solicit prospective donors as
partners of the ministry. One time, I felt this put so much pressure
on my part esp when one visited our place to look for prospective
donors with my help. But, I believe, this is acceptable bec. we
allowed God to lead us.
2. The staff are very good in following trough that partnership with
updates, newsletters,etc.
3. One organization has a good support from the higher up. The
administrative staff was the one communicating with me on behalf of a
couple who are missionaries in a rural area in Bangladesh. What is
interesting is that in the donation form they sent me, there's a place
for prayer request. I wrote a few times my prayer requests, and praise
items when those prayer requests had been answered. It is simple, yet
I feel there is a sense of connectedness, even if I haven't met this
person. To me, this is an example of partnership. Furthermore, the
couple also sends me updates occasionally.
Hope my point of view would be of help.
Lani Gador-Johnson
RG
Dear Lani and Nav stff who are connected here,
This is very valuable comments. Now I want the staff who are connected here to please listen first, because our constituents are making a lot of sense. We should learn from them.
RG
AU
It's encouraging to see us wrestle with this issue of finances. Indeed, this is a valid concern. Thanks to Kuya Rene who started this and to others who gave their side.
I count it a privilege to be able to give to two Navigator staff and two missionaries (or sometimes just one) every month, as God enables me to. It is a joy and a natural responsibility to give back to the Lord's ministry - The Navigators - which I consider as my second family. I also help some Singaporean friends/Navs staff send their financial support to some of our staff in the Philippines by sending their gifts through my bank. That way, it's convenient for the givers here in Singapore.
I have no big issue to raise about finances, but I want to share instead how faithful the Lord is as we give.
I've been with the Navigators - Singapore for almost three years now and have been truly blessed by God. I don't raise my funds because I am considered a paid employee in their Communications Department. So I get a fixed monthly pay. The Lord enabled me to help my financially struggling family all these years. Thanks be to God and for the people He provided to bless us - each of my family member has started to come out and know the Lord, not just because of his financial provision, but because of their knowledge and personal experience of God's goodness and faithfulness in their lives.
But with what happened to my nephew Yancy recently, our hospital bills and other needs were just really beyond us. Beyond me. I started to doubt whether I still would be able to give. I considered skipping it for a month or two because I really had nothing anymore. I can't go around and raise funds for my needs. Yet the Lord encouraged me to trust him. My Provider is the Great I am. He has taken me and my family this far. Why do I doubt?! So I chose to obey him and gave all I had. I went ahead and still sent to the Nav staff that I'm supporting. I was ready for an empty pocket and for all uncertainties for the coming weeks and weeks. But the Lord did not fail.
Without doing any fundraising, or asking help from people, the Lord just knew and he provided for me anyway! 
A number of friends just gave and gave happily. Everyday I watched his blessings pour into me until my needs were met. I even got cash gifts from two people who don't know me at all! They just sent to office and name it to me. Amazing. Beyond explanation. My nephew recovered. We are provided. I have never lacked anything. Never.
It has been one of the most difficult times in our lives, and yet it's one of the best we had just knowing and experiencing the grace and wonders of God in our lives at a time when we thought we were done and out.
Whether you are a giver or a receiver, may your heart be encouraged. God is a God of surprises!
cheers,
Au
Ai-Ai
Dearly Beloved,
Here are my thoughts on this issue. I totally agree with the idea of partnership and the other ideas raised by the rest who have contributed to this discussion thread. It is not on how much you give but on what your attitude is towards tithing and sacrificial giving.
The Navigators had been a major, major influence in my life that is why we give to the group. I believe that the resources are being handled wisely and are used for the advancement of God's kingdom. As to the specific person or project, I chose those who have helped me in the past yet we are also intermittently helping those who need it even if I do not know them personally or have never met them in person. A large percentage of our giving goes to the Navs. Bisan gamay, esp. in this crisis, we believe in faithfully giving back what is due to God.
With regards to the issue on partnership, this seems to be a weakness in the Navigators. In all honesty, I have to ask somebody else if everything is okay with this particular couple or this particular person because although we have been supporting them for years there had been no connection before this website was conceived. Thankfully, a missionary couple had been "busy" trying to get updates about people so whenever I ask, they almost always seem to have an answer. A simple 1- or 2-liner personal message would truly be appreciated. The keyword I am trying to emphasize is "personal." I am in dire need of wanting to know what is going on with your hearts and your life. =)))) Forgive me if I might sound so emotional - blame it on the hormonal changes hehehehe
Lani's experience with this organization who helps out with connecting the givers and the missionaries is a good idea. I am certain that the Navs Office already have a database of givers and have provided contact info to the recipients so that the recipients would know personally who is helping them and how much they are receiving. The communication process is truly important because we, too, have needs and we, too, need prayers. I guess it goes both ways - I also need to communicate my needs and my praises.
It brings joy to my heart whenever I hear from you!!!
Love ya'll in Him,
Aileen "Ai-Ai" Jackson
Lani
Hi Ai,
It's good to know that we are on the same boat. The way I see this,
ministry partnership/giving, mora'g 3 D. We come from one dimension,
Ai...and the points we presented here are our realities maybe
representative of the donor's side. Kumabaga, our role is not just
being donors, bec. prior to becoming one, we are human beings who
happen to belong to this Christian family-the Navs and who's longing
for connections. I agree that partnership is both ways, esp on the
prayer partnership aspect.
Makaingon bitaw kos una, kon mahimo nis uban nga organization nga di
maoy spiritual family where I grow from, nganong di man mahimo sa
Navs? That time, I said to myself, "wish ko lang." But you know,
mahadlok ta mo-open up kay maka-hurt unya ta, then I said "who cares?"
Move on...and move along. Unya karon kay na-started man ni nga forum,
I'm taking this chance.
As I've said one dimension ra ta Ai, we don't know the realities of
the other two dimensions: the missionaries themselves and the
administrative staff/leaders.
Each organization has its own imperfections. For whatever reason,
maybe this is where the Navs is lacking. I do believe that there are
creative ways as to how this partnership would be made sustainable,
considering our set-up (organizational structure) and our being so busy.
On newsletters/updates: you can never underestimate its power of
blessing others, esp. your partners. Di pod kinahanglan nga naa gyo'y
report of accomplishment, whatever lang god.
Lani Gador-Johnson
P.S. basin feeling ninyo worst scenario sa Navs ang akong gi-present,
naa baya sa'y partnership, naa lang gyoy times nga mora'g out of
frequency (tungod ba kahas ka-busy) where other organizations, regular
man god.
RG
Dear Lani and Ayee Ayee,
We are listening and we are bleeding, I think many of us are lacking in this aspect of personal touch... thank you very much for these points you are unearthing. Surely I am going to bring this discussion to the Nav staff forum later. This could be a great contribution of this household (Cebu Navs) to the bigger part of the Phil Navs family.
Again please share your thoughts, do not hold on your sentiments, we need your hearts, I know that all of us love the Navs, and lets do whatever we can that would make it to better serve our KING.
RG
Ruby
thank you so much for all those who shared in this thread! i know
there are still a lot of us holding something and am waiting!!! i
will share mine later..
ruby
Au
Ate Lani ug Ate Ai ug everyone,
I agree with you. At the end of the day, regardless of how much we give or receive, it's the partnership (as Ate Lani called it) that really blesses us. In fact, in most cases, we don't need much long 'reporting' kind of communication. Instead, we would love to hear personal stories of how each one of us is blessed by God through and by whatever ministry the Lord has given us.
There are many creative, less demanding ways to communicate and have that personal touch to our friends. Yes, even a short but regular communication (email, text, newsletters, or personal visits (if applicable)) would nurture a relationship and partnership already than sending pages of newsletters once a year!
I am encouraged by this exchange of ideas and concerns. Thanks!
Au
