An church endowment fund can help provide financial stability and encourage good stewardship practices. This guide from lays out some good principles and tips on how to get started. This is from the ELCA Foundation. Most denominations have a similar ministry that serves their congregations.
How much does it really cost to operate your building ? Sure, you can add up the budget line items for heat, electricity, custodial services and so on, but that gives you only the total. This downloadable spreadsheet will help you calculate the cost per foot, per hour. From the Episcopal Church Foundation. (Photo: Anssi […]
In our materialistic culture “abundant living” can get confused with the “extravagant living.” When we start thinking of “abundance” in non-monetary terms, a whole new vision opens up for what it means to have enough. From the Episcopal Church Foundation. (Photo: OER Training, Creative Commons)
Most budget presentations leave parishioners drowsy and bored, but there’s a better way. A narrative budget helps folks connect the congregation’s finances with the mission that we are accomplishing in the world. The Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation has a nice package of resources to get you started. (Photo: Taxcredit, Creative Commons)
Covid-19 has upended every aspect of church, including finances. How can forward-thinking finance leaders prepare for a transformational future? In this webinar Episcopal Church Foundation explore finance and planning practices to help prepare congregations for the new and unexpected. (Photo: Mimi_K, Creative Commons)
When the pandemic hit several months ago, church leaders were immediately thrust in the position of being both generosity and digital experts overnight. How have churches responded? In lots of different ways, although some interesting patterns have emerged, says this article from LifeWay. (Photo: Eugene Zemlyanskiy, Creative Commons.)
If the church wins the lottery, that’s luck. Other than that, most congregational paths to financial stability involve remaining prayerful, being faithful, acting smart and staying on top of things. Here are 12 best practices that can guide your way, from Grow a Healthy Church. (Photo by Lisafx, via Bigstock.com)
The Gospel teaches to not put trust in financial resources, but in “the true wealth” that is a relationship with Jesus Christ, Pope Francis said. “We are indeed – as St. Paul would say – ‘poor, but capable of enriching many; as people who have nothing and instead possess everything.’” (Photo: Semilla Luz, Creative Commons)
Donors want to know, “What’s your church all about? Who are you, and how are you furthering God’s mission?” Answers go to the core of your church’s story, but many of us do a poor job of telling that story. Attention to branding is one way to help tell you church build an identity and […]
After expenses for personnel, building costs often present the biggest challenges to church finances, especially when the building is old, or when it’s time to expand with an addition. This article from Partners for Sacred Spaces offers fundraising tips and links to other resources. (Photo: Luke Peterson, Creative Commons)
