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7 New Rules for Raising Money in the Church

Rule #3: Pastors need to know the numbers. 

When I was pastoring a young and growing church, I (wrongly and stupidly) took pride in not knowing the details of our financial situation. I delegated (aka abdicated) that responsibility and even went so far as to spiritualize it.

I’m not suggesting every pastor needs to be an Excel-loving QuickBooks wizard.

But like a good shepherd knows the condition of the flock, a good leader knows the financial condition of the church. Knowing, and understanding, the numbers is worth your time.

Here are some financial numbers I believe every pastor should know, study and understand:

  • The total amount given compared to the same time last year and compared to budget needs.
  • The percentage of the offering given digitally. I’ll share more on this later, but this is a big opportunity worthy of focus.
  • The percentage of the offering given on a recurring basis. Did you know someone who gives to their church using a recurring method (whether it’s an ACH, online bill payment or using a third-party service like Hopeware) typically gives three times more than someone who gives using cash or check?
  • The per capita giving or per person giving, and the trend of that number over time.
  • The total number of giving units on any given week and the comparison of that number to relevant time periods.

As you read through this list, your eyes may gloss over and your level of care may dramatically decrease. But it’s worth the energy to get this set up and have this information come to you on a regular basis.

It’s not a sign of spiritual maturity to stay out of the finances.

By the way, there are other numbers, not just financial ones, you should look at on a regular basis.

Rule #4: Your church needs a funding plan not just a spending plan.

One of the most organized processes in many churches is the budget creation process. It could be that in September or October, a finance team springs into action. They look at spending, ministry requisitions and forecasts and work hard to create a budget. In some churches, this document is prepared with the input of dozens of people and voted on by a committee or the congregation. Sometimes, it’s publicly shared and debated. In the end, it’s voted on and implemented for January 1.

The budget process may not be everyone’s favorite time, but it’s a process that has a history.

But let me ask you a question…