If you look at the calendar the realization that planning of the 2011 church budget should already be in progress; or soon to start. Churches across America are experiencing tough times in the area of finances. Tithing (Budget Income) is down to some of the lowest levels in decades. Pastors are failing to preach on Stewardship more than one to two times annually (if that). Expenses verses income in many churches are riding high. Some churches are cutting ministries and some are considering elimination of staff positions or redefining them while lowering salaries.
In tough times it is important to remember some key insight into church budgets. Members of churches with backgrounds in business will be quick to jump on the latest models being implemented in the secular world without understanding the effect those models will have on ministry and missions. Implementing key principles in planning your 2011 church budget will make a difference in the life of your church. It will make a difference in missions around the world.
1. Remember that the church is in business to do ministry and missions. Cutting ministries means reducing the job that we have been called to do.
2. Every church has waste in the budget. Be honest in your process. Waste is not ministry - it robs ministry. Look for the waste and eliminate it. Golden calves in church budgets are Satan's tools.
3. Evaluate how you do ministry. Often we spend money on things that we are too lazy to do ourselves. The "how" of your ministry should require effort from human beings more than it does money.
4. Salary issues will be tough this year. Be smart when considering raises and cuts. Staff leaders should practice Stewardship in their daily lives while churches should care for the servants God has led their way. You may not be able to give much in the area of raises this year yet remembering this and planning for future raises is vital to maintaining a great staff.
5. Do not cut missions or ministries that are reaching people. Look for the multiple small areas in your budget that you can in actuality do without or do different. Literature such as magazines etc. are a prime example of things that can be cut and applied in areas of ministry and evangelism.
6. Teach Tithing and Grace Giving. The tithe is ten percent of the gross income. Is the beginning point in giving. When taught correctly, teaching on Stewardship will free your people from all types of bondage. A church that is taught biblical stewardship will become a generous church.
7. Pastor and staff must lead the way in giving of the tithe and offerings. Live what you preach. If you are not living it, repent, live it, and preach it! Do so in that order.
8. Get creative in highlighting the ministries that the church budget supports. Creative and positive fruit will do wonders to the development of cheerful givers.
9. Get a vision for what God is calling your church to do. Share this vision and commit to this vision. Never forget that God always pays for what He orders.
10. Know with confidence that God will bless a church that is faithful to go after His vision. Stop the sin of worry and share with your people the joy of seeing God do some God size things in your midst.
The team at Eklund Stewardship is here to assist you in the area of Stewardship. Budget development and formation assistance are available. Give us a call. We would love to partner with you!
Friday, August 20, 2010
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Coming Out of Summer
I know it is only July. Thoughts to August and the fall however will reap huge rewards if done now. Here are just a few things that hopefully will assist in your creativity:
1. Plan a "catch up" Sunday in September or October. If you do not send out Tithing Reports already, do so before this planned Sunday. Encourage people to evaluate their giving records in comparison to the amount that God asks.
2. Begin to promote the coming budget planning for 2011 in October. Share the highlights of 2010. Share vision related to the needs of 2011.
3. Have people share a testimony related to their giving and the fruit they have seen. These testimonies should be 3 to 4 min in length and focus on the fruit not on the person.
4. Do not hide from teaching Stewardship. Your people need to be stewards. Your ministry needs for more stewards to be developed.
Take some time this summer to plan for a smart fall. It will "pay off" in your budget planning and promotion and it will reap huge benefits in the giving of your people!
1. Plan a "catch up" Sunday in September or October. If you do not send out Tithing Reports already, do so before this planned Sunday. Encourage people to evaluate their giving records in comparison to the amount that God asks.
2. Begin to promote the coming budget planning for 2011 in October. Share the highlights of 2010. Share vision related to the needs of 2011.
3. Have people share a testimony related to their giving and the fruit they have seen. These testimonies should be 3 to 4 min in length and focus on the fruit not on the person.
4. Do not hide from teaching Stewardship. Your people need to be stewards. Your ministry needs for more stewards to be developed.
Take some time this summer to plan for a smart fall. It will "pay off" in your budget planning and promotion and it will reap huge benefits in the giving of your people!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Time for Budget Planning - NOW!
Start your 2011 Budget planning NOW. Are you kidding me? No! One of the key aspects of being a good steward of the money that God provides for ministry is to do a GREAT job at budget planning. I know that June is still a week away. Yet beginning to discuss budget issues with staff and key leaders is vital today!
Staff should already be seeing areas that need to be examined when looking at 2011 vision and needs. Giving trends for 2010 are now easily detectable. Getting started now will save headaches down the road in the fall. How is 2010 going? What does this say about 2011?
Satan is waging an all out war on stewardship right now. Even in Christian groups there is much confusion as to what a church should teach and how a church needs to respond to the economic times. Satan loves to get us distracted and then force us into poor planning and thought at the crucial times in the fall. It is important that we do not accept poor stewardship from God's people by excusing the waste and lack of discipline on the economy. Yes people are struggling. Yet many are simply NOT being stewards.
Take some time during the next 30 days and get a head start on budget planning and review. Evaluate the effectiveness of stewardship education. Look at options needed for the fall. Don't settle for a summer slump.
Be bold in teaching tithing and stewardship. Your people will become better stewards and your ministry and missions will be where God desires them to be.
Staff should already be seeing areas that need to be examined when looking at 2011 vision and needs. Giving trends for 2010 are now easily detectable. Getting started now will save headaches down the road in the fall. How is 2010 going? What does this say about 2011?
Satan is waging an all out war on stewardship right now. Even in Christian groups there is much confusion as to what a church should teach and how a church needs to respond to the economic times. Satan loves to get us distracted and then force us into poor planning and thought at the crucial times in the fall. It is important that we do not accept poor stewardship from God's people by excusing the waste and lack of discipline on the economy. Yes people are struggling. Yet many are simply NOT being stewards.
Take some time during the next 30 days and get a head start on budget planning and review. Evaluate the effectiveness of stewardship education. Look at options needed for the fall. Don't settle for a summer slump.
Be bold in teaching tithing and stewardship. Your people will become better stewards and your ministry and missions will be where God desires them to be.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Stewardship - A Word We Need!
Try looking at any type of news media that does not reveal a growing distaste for the economic waste occurring in America at almost every stage of life. For this current time in our history we have the most money EVER being handed down from one generation to the next and the debt of the receiving generation FAR out weighing the money changing hands. It can be a little scary to think about.
The thoughts of this incredible time reveal a need for a word that is about to be extinct in our vocabularies - STEWARDSHIP! It is a great word. I have been trying to grasp why we are approaching it's demise when this word offers the answers to all we need in economics on a national, job, world, home, individual, and church level.
Sixteen times the word Steward is used in the Bible. The principles of being a steward are taught innumerable times through out the Word of God. Clear is the teaching of this simple passage:
Clearly as we approach the return of Christ, being a faithful STEWARD rises to the top of all we do and prioritize in our lives. One of the greatest questions that we can ask today is this:
The thoughts of this incredible time reveal a need for a word that is about to be extinct in our vocabularies - STEWARDSHIP! It is a great word. I have been trying to grasp why we are approaching it's demise when this word offers the answers to all we need in economics on a national, job, world, home, individual, and church level.
Sixteen times the word Steward is used in the Bible. The principles of being a steward are taught innumerable times through out the Word of God. Clear is the teaching of this simple passage:
Luke 12:42-43
42 And the Lord said, "Who then is that faithful and wise steward , whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?
43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.
NKJV
42 And the Lord said, "Who then is that faithful and wise steward , whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?
43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.
NKJV
Clearly as we approach the return of Christ, being a faithful STEWARD rises to the top of all we do and prioritize in our lives. One of the greatest questions that we can ask today is this:
Are we teaching and modeling being a Biblical STEWARD?
When we look at the younger generation surrounded by debt, materialism, and selfishness. When we seek to do more in reaching the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are forced to look at this simple word which teaches profound actions, mindsets, and disciplines. We discover quickly that we need the word STEWARD in our lives more than we may have thought.
Generosity is the buzz word today. But I submit to your pondering that we will never be able to be generous until we first learn to be good stewards.
Generosity is the buzz word today. But I submit to your pondering that we will never be able to be generous until we first learn to be good stewards.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
The Great Stewardship Question
As I travel around the country and meet Pastors and people from all walks of life I am asked this one question more than any; "how can I help my people be better Stewards?". It is a great question. Many books have been written about this subject and for sure many more are coming. I might even write one or two of those.
There is a short answer that works. This answer does not require a book. In fact, this answer is one that just simply needs to be repeated over and over again. The answer is found in the form of a question.
There is a short answer that works. This answer does not require a book. In fact, this answer is one that just simply needs to be repeated over and over again. The answer is found in the form of a question.
We should be asking, "Do we really need it?"
Simple isn't it? This one question can change many a bad expenditure. It can alter spending habits at the core of the issue. Do we need our wants? Are our wants really needed? As you teach your people and lead them in developing a lifestyle of stewardship - start here! This is the first step in discovering the seemingly secret to financial peace which leads to security and missional stewardship for each one of us.
Rather than living a life full of buyers remorse we could actually be making good daily decisions that lead to opportunities to bless others beyond our wildest dreams. Before you buy ask the question. When you encourage your people in the discipline of stewardship, ask the question. Most of us have far too many things we honestly do not need.
Rather than living a life full of buyers remorse we could actually be making good daily decisions that lead to opportunities to bless others beyond our wildest dreams. Before you buy ask the question. When you encourage your people in the discipline of stewardship, ask the question. Most of us have far too many things we honestly do not need.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Coach Led Approach to Capital Campaigns
Several churches have voiced a need for an approach to Capital Fund Campaigns that is different from consultant led and more helpful than "do it yourself" models. After much prayer and thinking through the process we are thrilled to announce the new Coach Led offering.
It is common knowledge that churches raise much less than possible when they attempt to approach a campaign "in house". We also know that bringing in a Consultant is not always the way a church desires to go for various reasons. Our new Coach Led approach meets these two issues head on. People will often make short cuts in the process when left to follow a "how to" approach on their own. Often groups will charge extra fees to come in and clean up a situation that is not going the path desired causing headache and frustration to the church and leaders. Our Coach Led approach allows your church to avoid these costly errors and experience a process that guides you through your campaign without the expense of having a consultant on site.
If you need to raise money for debt relief or a building and yet find your leadership resisting the idea of bringing in a consultant, email or call us and let us explain the details of how a Coach Led campaign might be the solution to your situation.
It is common knowledge that churches raise much less than possible when they attempt to approach a campaign "in house". We also know that bringing in a Consultant is not always the way a church desires to go for various reasons. Our new Coach Led approach meets these two issues head on. People will often make short cuts in the process when left to follow a "how to" approach on their own. Often groups will charge extra fees to come in and clean up a situation that is not going the path desired causing headache and frustration to the church and leaders. Our Coach Led approach allows your church to avoid these costly errors and experience a process that guides you through your campaign without the expense of having a consultant on site.
If you need to raise money for debt relief or a building and yet find your leadership resisting the idea of bringing in a consultant, email or call us and let us explain the details of how a Coach Led campaign might be the solution to your situation.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)