Updated 4/5/2013.

For 2013, Tekton is returning to its roots. A major project to start the fiscal year will be a major overhaul to the website, in which we will install a new user-friendly template, and rework articles for more efficient reading (as well as updating where needed). As of this moment, work is being done for me on new templates for the pages; once that is done, I'll work over each article one at a time to bring them up to date.

4/5/2013: The work here has taken an unusual turn; I've been given permission to use a template from another website. I hope to start posting revised pages in June or July.

Beyond that, we will continue to produce more unique resources in 2013. The basic budgetary need will remain the same as last year, although the urgency for supporting them has still continued to grow, especially in areas of media where Christians have been slow to respond. Please consider the following and help us make these projects a reality that will touch the lives of those in need of information to defend and understand their faith.

Projects

The Next Book: Our next Kindle e-book will be a bit of change of pace. Rather than a strict apologetics work, we will fulfill reader requests for a sort of direct application commentary on the New Testament, in which we explain modern applications for the New Testament's moral teachings. The good news on this one is that I won't be needing any interlibrary loan service, so it will be easier to finish than the last couple of projects.

The scope of the project is rather large, though, so it may take most of the year to finish it. Since it is a Kindle book, it will not cost anything to produce, and add nothing to the 2013 budget needs.

4/5/2013: In got it done; the Direct Application New Testament is now available. See link below. I am now starting work on an e-book on Adolf Hitler allegedly being a Christian.

Film Projects. As of now, Tekton's YouTube channel, TektonTV, has 221 videos, and my production skills and efficiency continue to improve. Our team of helpers for various tasks like voice work and background art has also grown, and our subscriber base topped 1000 this past summer.

YouTube is a creative wasteland that is currently dominated, in this subject area, by people who are virulent fundamentalist atheists. There are very few rational Christians there; the most popular Christians there hold to some very peculiar ideas (like 9/11 conspiracy theories). This is a place we need to stake a firm claim to, as it will undoubtedly continue to grow in popularity. My goal now is to have at least 300 videos on the TektonTV channel by this time next year -- if not many more.

The good news again -- no extra cost to Tekton, other than for art supplies so I can do my animation.

4/5/2013: The channel now has 283 apologetics videos, and the subscriber base is over 1400.

Driving programs.

For 2013 we'll continue with these older programs:

• E-Block. The fifth volume of the E-Block will have at least 9 regular issues.
• The Tekton Ticker and the Tekton Forge. The Tekton Ticker and the Tekton Forge will continue at the same pace: 3 posts per week on the Ticker, 1 per week on the Forge.

Budgetary Goal

Now then -- what's this going to take in terms of time and money?

For 2012-13, Tekton is establishing a minimum annual support amount of $20,145in order to meet the above ministry goals.

Ministry Expenses

Let's get more specific as to where that's all going, then:

• Personnel: $19425

  Yes, "personnel" means me, basically. This is to give me the time to do this work, and this is unchanged from last year. I've managed to find someone reliable to take some of my part time work with USDA, so that should give me more ministry time to work with.

• Fees: $220

  Tekton has to give a little slice every year to state and local authorities.

• Supplies/postage/server: $500

  All the rest, like Tekton's server space, postage, office supplies, and books.

• Open line item: $??

  Tekton’s guest writer, Nick Peters, currently a college student, continues work on his own fledgling ministry. We’re leaving an open line item in our budget for anyone who wants to contribute to his efforts. Right now any support will go towards any joint projects he’ll work with us on. (For example, he and his wife have done voice work for some of our films.)

Total: $20,145

How You Can Help

I realize we still have a hard economy going right now; but we have an ever harder spiritual crisis on our hands, and as my friend Carey likes to say, Tekton gives more "bang for the buck" than any comparable ministry. That said, I have made it very easy to support Tekton even in this hard economy (and it is all tax-deductible).

Subscribe to the E-Block: A mere $8 per year will go a long way here without a strain on your pocketbook. And they'll add up quickly in fulfillment of our modest goal.

Purchase materials: The sale of these books and materials helps keep us going:

• The Impossible Faith
• Shattering the Christ Myth
• Trusting the New Testament
• The Mormon Defenders -- I took this off Amazon now since they charge too much to keep it on. From now on they are ordered from Tekton directly.
• Defending the Resurrection
• What in Hell is Going On?
• The Atonement Contextualzied
• bibliographies. You can always help out by buying books from Tekton through Amazon, and we have the whole site available on CD or download for a modest donation.

  Donate: And of course, there are all the usual venues - subscriptions and direct donations. You'll get a free sub to the E-Block for this, too. (Note: If your gift is designated for Nick Peters, please indicate this in a message box for PayPal which appears at the bottom of the final "Send Money" page.)

  So it is that there's now a ball in your court in terms of deciding how much time I can spend on defense of the faith. As I have said before, despite what some Skeptics say. if I wanted money, I'd go back to being a professional librarian, where I'd make 2-3 times as much. Or I'd take one of a dozen or more jobs I'm qualified to take. I stay in ministry because I want and love to do it, because I see a need and because it is my calling. But I'll be plain: I can't keep the lights on without power, and I will gradually have to turn those lights out to survive unless the support goals are met.

  When I worked for one public library, and their budget was cut, my boss put it this way: "We'll just have to cut hours and services." The same principle applies here.

  Thank you,

  JP