PREPARE FINANCIALLY FOR THE FUTURE - PART 1

 

            If you’re like many churches that I have spoken with or heard from, you’re worried about your finances. Is there enough? How will the changing economy affect what you receive in donations and what your expenses will be?

            I don’t think anyone has missed the impact of a global pandemic, of having church buildings have to close, or of having to “do church” differently. But there’s more that you can do besides just worry!

            I’ve spoken many times in these blogs about working on your mission and vision. Remember, that’s more than simply having the right pretty words that mean that you can cross it off your “to do list.” Look at your mission statement. Look at the vision of your church. Do they both incorporate what your church is called to be and to do? No church can be everything to everyone, or do everything. Once your mission and vision are well-defined and measurable and appropriate, then you can work on your Ministry Funding Plan a/k/a budget.

            Noone looks forward to a budget or likes to read them, especially in church. However, what if you looked at the budget for what it “does”? It is a plan to fund the ministry of your church. Let’s call it that: Ministry Funding Plan. Don’t project income and then create a budget from that or from what you hope your income will be. Instead work on a Ministry Funding Plan that is a result of God’s leading for your church. It stops you focusing on expense control and instead of growing generosity. It helps you focus on the need of people to give rather than on the need of the church to get.

            Grow disciples, not dollars. Grow generosity, not budgets.  

 

Please feel free to contact me at (315) 427-3668 or susanranous@unyumc.org if you’d like to discuss your Ministry Funding Plan.