Tight Money Strategies
Six ways to balance when the budget goes red.
Stephen B. Box
July 1, 2003
Our financial secretary called. "Pastor, we have more bills this month than money to pay them. What do I do?"
I was young and ambitious. I had pressed the board of our small church for an aggressive ministry budget. I hadn't expected an economic downturn to thwart my one-year plan to single-handedly fulfill the Great Commission. Then I remembered the advice a board member gave me on the night I proposed our budget.
"You know, Pastor," he said, "my father always taught me that if your outgo exceeds your income, your upkeep will be your downfall."
It's been almost 20 years, but my hands still shake when I remember picking up the phone, calling the board, and telling them that we were running in the red.
Seldom do pastors have to worry about what to do with extra resources lying around the church. The problem is more month at the end of the money than money at the end of the month.
After pastoring several years and then becoming a church's chief financial officer, I've found six ways to overcome an unexpected shortfall. Three of them involve increasing your income, and three of them involve decreasing your expenses.
The fastest, most painless way to resolve a budgetary crisis is to get more money. Every minister dreams of a day when the local millionaire shows up with a check. But in lieu of such serendipitous patronage, here are three ways to raise money quickly.
1 Share the need from the pulpit. While "begging for money" is considered by many the greatest faux pas any non-televised pastor can commit, an honest conversation with the flock is sometimes the best thing to do.
In the middle of a building program with a hard-line completion date and a public commitment not to borrow "one red cent," we were facing a cost overrun pushing ...
Please complete one of the following:
If you're a Leadership journal subscriber...
...but have not yet registered for online access to CTLibrary.com, you can receive a full-year's access for just $29.95!
Register Here | | If you're NOT a Leadership journal print subscriber...
You're entitled to a special, introductory offer for new subscribers only! Subscribe now and receive a one-year Leadership journal print subscription and one-year access to all Leadership archives for just $39.95!
Subscribe now!
When you log in as a Leadership Journal subscriber, you'll see additional articles noted as premium content only available to CTLibrary.com members. To access the entire CTLibrary requires a CTLibrary subscription. If you would prefer this option, select the offer below that best fits your needs.
|
Like the preview? To read this complete article
and 20,359 more in the archive—JOIN NOW!
Easily find high-quality, well-researched materials that provide a Christian perspective on topics ranging from headlines to history.
Start using this invaluable tool TODAY for preparing your Bible studies, presentations, class lectures, sermons, meetings, and more.
|
It's easy and quick to join:
Brought to You by Christianity Today Int'l |  |
|
| 
Find similar articles
E-mail this page
