As the year’s end approaches, many churches worry, “Will we end the year in the black?” Columnist Karl Vaters suggests doing this one simple thing that both expresses gratitude and lets congregants know what the church needs to avoid an unintentional short fall. It’s not too late to get thank you letters in the mail. […]
According to The Rt. Rev. Diane M. Jardine Bruce, “A congregation without a budget is like a car without GPS – you can’t tell where you’ve been or where you are going.” In this article she provides information about joining zero-based and narrative budgeting to focus on mission and ministry while still allowing flexibility for changing circumstances. […]
“Jesus spoke more about money than he did about sex, heaven, and hell. Money is a big deal to Jesus. There must be something really dangerous about money,” writes John Piper from desiringgod.org. Jesus’ words provide not only a warning but a path for disciples to follow to true freedom. (Photo: Andrew Magill, Creative Commons)
Breaking the taboo about money talk can be fruitful for congregations, a new study shows. The more congregations talk about money, the more likely they are to see a corresponding increase in giving, according to the National Study of Congregations’ Economic Practices. (Photo: Bev8200, used by Creative Commons license. Thanks!)
Accountants and businesspeople love spreadsheets and line-item budgets, but regular folks in the pews have a hard time relating the numbers and categories to real-life . That’s why narrative budgets can be so helpful. They explain how the numbers connect to the lives and ministries of your church. The Center for Faith & Giving explains. […]
The Amish are best known for their plain clothing, simple living, and lack of modern technology. They’re also likely the only financial planner you’ll ever need, says this writer, who lifts up some very basic ideas that can drastically simplify your life and help you get onto sound financial footing. (Photo: “Amish” by PilotGirl, Creative […]
Both the Old and New Testament tell us a lot about wealth and money, but Christians through the ages have found different nuances that fit their time and contexts. This article from the Church History Institute gives a nice overview of how faithful people have understood money and its role in our lives and cultures. […]
How often do you thank those who give to your church? For most congregations the answer is, “Not nearly often enough!” It’s too bad, because saying thank you is one of the simplest and most effective ways to cultivate a climate of generosity. Check out these five creative suggestions! (Photo: Marco Verch Professional Photographer and […]
Designated funds are a curse for many congregations struggling to grow ministries but unable to touch some of the money they have on hand because of uncompromising restrictions placed by donors. In this article, church consultant Thom Rainer lists some of the most common pitfalls. (Photo © Borys Shevchuk – Fotolia)
Tired of all your stuff? Perhaps the antidote to endless, thoughtless consumption lies not in purging ourselves of the stuff we own, but rather, redefining our relationship with stuff altogether. Interesting reading from Canada’s Globe and Mail. (“sewing-2” by Pixelbertie is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0 )
