Analyzing your Church Budget

Posted by: Joel Gardner

                Aubrey Malphurs raises four questions in his article, “Is your Church ‘Money Savvy?’” that I would like to highlight for our church planters to examine: 

1)      Does our budget support a biblical mission and vision?

This would be a good question to think through at the first stages of preparing a budget.  But if you are past this stage it is still one that needs to be answered.  Is your budget lined up with God’s mission for your church?  If not, then how can you adjust your budget to be more in line with God’s vision for your church?

2)      Are there items in our budget that the church should not be funding?

Churches should analyze their budgets at least once a year.  During this analysis period it would be good to go line by line on your budget and determine if there are any areas that should not be funded by your church.   Another thing to consider during this time: Are there ministries that could be funded by other sources, rather than your general fund (special offerings, donations, etc.)?

3)      What is our average per capita annum giving (annual giving/ person)?

The average amount each member of your church is giving on an annual basis is a good indicator of the spiritual health of your congregation (Matthew 6:21).

4)      How high are our expectations of our people in terms of giving?

This question ties into the last, if your annual giving is not where it should be, why is that? Are you emphasizing the importance of storing up treasures where neither moth nor rust will destroy them? Or does your congregation have more of an earthly mindset when it comes to how they spend their finances?

I pray these questions spur you on to be wise stewards of God’s finances.  If you would like more questions to mull over pertaining to your churches budget I encourage you to read Malphurs’ full article.  And as always, please feel free to contact me, Joel Gardner @ (864) 232-8297 with any questions or ways I can serve you dealing with finances.

The Wife of a Church Planter- An Adventure!

By Sally Illman, Connections Presbyterian Church, Huntsville, AL

                What an adventure this life can be! And I think that being a church planter’s wife means that regarding the spirit of adventure, we say, “Bring it on!”, even if in reality, we have no idea what that means. In the beginning, we tell God that we understand that this is a calling - something that He has chosen us for by virtue of being the wife of a man who feels called to be a church planter. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).  We also know, by that same understanding, that our children are called to be “PKs” (preacher’s kids) with all the responsibilities and privileges that come with that calling.

                But, there are a three other things that I have found need to be recognized. One is that we need to expect the unexpected. When the demographics of the people we expect to flock to our new church don’t work out the way we carefully planned (despite the fact that our husbands are the most gifted preachers and pastors the world has ever seen), when the church still doesn’t grow, and when we struggle financially even though  we had it all figured out, we still need to remember Who is in charge. God says, “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).

                When we are able to remember that God does have a plan for us, and it may not be the same as what we planned, we can then recognize the second thing. We need to be flexible. Flexibility is definitely a heart issue because it involves trusting God for His ways, not ours. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways, acknowledge Him, and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6); "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD (Isaiah 55:8).

                In order to maintain flexibility, the third part comes. We need to stay in the Word. But also, there needs to be times for reflection. Amidst the busyness of life, there has to be time to get away and ponder God. For me it’s my Bible, a pen, and my journal - no phone with games and Facebook to distract, no book or Kindle to divert my attention, just God and me. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD (Psalm 27:1). While I’m pondering and pouring my heart out before the Lord – “God, I can’t do this anymore! It’s too hard, and You’re too far away! Do You have any idea what this is like?! This is NOT my idea of how I would have written my life’s script!” - I need to listen to Him as He assures me of His promises. I need to renew my understanding of His call on my life and the calling that He has given me.

                It’s a cycle. I am sure of my calling. I understand that it may not be as we planned, so I need to be willing to change my plans to fit with God’s. Therefore, I need to have some time to reflect and get back on the path that God has defined, and to do what I need to remind myself of my calling. Then I can be assured that my attitude is back, so that I can call what might be deemed by some to be an ordeal, truly an ADVENTURE!

Church Planting Breakfast Invitation

ARP Synod Moderator Andy Putnam has been clear in his 2020 challenge to plant 20 churches of 200 or more active members by the year 2020. But where will we find the resources and the expertise to plant churches of 200 or more active members when the typical ARP church is much smaller than that?  We need the help of our existing churches that are 200 or more active members.

Two of our larger churches have recently set a good example. First ARP in Gastonia planted Gaston Community Church, and more recently, First Presbyterian in Columbia planted Grace Presbyterian.

I would like to invite the pastors and elder delegates of our larger churches to join us at our church planting breakfast on Thursday of the General Synod meeting in June. The theme of our church planting breakfast this year will be:  Churches Planting Churches. Come and hear Dr. Sinclair Ferguson and Rev. Brandon Barrett speak about how First Presbyterian prepared to plant Grace, and the strong start that Grace has experienced as a result. Mark your calendar for Thursday, June 7 at 7 a.m. in Bonclarken dining room B. Call today to reserve your place – (864) 232-8297 (ext 229). Space is limited to the first 60 people that register.

Alan Avera

Executive Director
Outreach North America