Budgets are tight, donations are in decline. What’s the best strategy for a church to embrace? Well, it’s NOT fundraising, a stewardship drive or a capital campaign, says Karl Vaters of Christianity Today. (Photo: Bev8200, Creative Commons)
‘Narrative budgeting’ helps simplify church finance`
Many church members become fuzzy-minded looking at a line-item budget. This year try a ‘narrative budget’ that connects offerings to vital ministries. From Center for Faith & Giving. (Photo: Chris Potter, Creative Commons)
The DOs and DON’Ts of counting church money
When it comes to discrepancies in church offerings, there’s always the honest mistake, and there’s also the dishonest wolf among the sheep looking for opportunities. Good counting practices can discourage both. Startchurch.com explores. (Photo: Geek Calendar, Creative Commons)
Can designated funds be used in case of a crisis?
It’s a common situation, especially in the current Covid-19 pandemic: Your church is facing an emergency and desperately needs to tap into funds that were donated for another purpose. This article from Central Texas Conference, UMC, sheds some light on the issue.
Here’s a checklist for closing out the books for 2021
The end of the fiscal year and tax year is just weeks away. How is your church preparing to meet the legal requirements and standard good bookkeeping practices? This checklist from CapinCrouse can help you stay on target! (Photo: kenteegardin, Creative Commons)
Try a narrative budget for your church this year
People’s eyes generally glaze over when they see a church’s line-item budget. What do all those numbers and categories mean? It’s daunting! A narrative budget helps explain finances in a way people can readily understand … and get behind! From the Center on Faith and Giving.
Bring more transparency to your congregation’s finances
The good news: Charitable giving is on the rise. The bad news: Giving to faith organizations is on the decline. What can religious leaders do to help? Perhaps more transparency would help. This resource from Luther Seminary explores.
Put transparency in your congregation’s finances
Statistics show that overall charitable giving is going up, especially in areas of public benefit and the environment. Yet giving to religious organizations is declining. What are we doing wrong? Author and Yale Divinity teacher Jim Elrod suggests churches adopt greater transparency. (Photo: Claire CJS, Creative Commons)
11 key tasks for your finance committee
Talking money in church is often unpopular, but sustaining a vibrant church requires diligent financial management. That’s why it’s important to have a crack finance committee that can handle 11 essential tasks, says Smart Church Management. (Photo: Ken Teegardin, SeniorLiving.Org)
How to avoid theft and fraud of church funds
We all want to believe that everyone who volunteers to count the offering at church is above taking from the till, but humans are imperfect. In this blog post startCHURCH lists some ways to reduce temptation and help keep church money safer. (Photo: Acousticgirl, Creative Commons)
