Date: Jun 30, 2003 [ 8: 13: 12]
Subject: Summary - Church Finances
© 2003 BCP Harry Shelton Cole
Subject: Summary - Church Finances
SUMMARY OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH PLANTING LIST
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Moderated and edited by Pastor Harry Shelton Cole
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Introduction: The new church must manage it's resources well if it is to
continue faithfully. Many colleges teach new pastors how to handle the
finances but they teach little of how a church planter is suppose to handle
them. The advice in this summary is excellent and comes from some very
knowledgable men.
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Question of the Week was:
What about church finances? What have you learned about church finances
that you would like to pass along to a church planter?
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at BBCE. I welcomed his comments because they not only answered the
question but caused me to think and ask more questions.>>>>>>>>>>
One of the areas that needs to be of a concern is the use of present
income. The NT church had people as a priority, not buildings. First
notice Acts 2:44-45; 4:32, 34-35; 6:1-6; and 2 Cor. 8: - 9:. Also there
was a giving to those outside the church, Gal 6:10 and perhaps Matt
25:31-40 (Depending upon dispensational view of passage).
Note also that the scriptural use of the tithe was for people only,
freewill offerings were used for buildings and maintenance of such.
into the church or into activities? Yet, when we do this aren't we
artificially propping up the church, cheating our families and doing a
disservice to God? There chew on that a while.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
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church planter and graduate of BBCE - Doug Mann -- Doug gave us the
practical side of church finances -- Along with this advise let me also
recommend a book published by Broadman & Holman called *Basic Accounting
for Churches" written by Col. Jack Henry (one of us and executive
vice-president emeritus at BBCE)>>>>>>>>>>>>
One of the keys to preventing severe headaches when it comes to church
finances is to have an adequate accounting system. When I started my
church we set up one checking account, but in our books we set up three
funds; a general fund, a missions fund, and a building fund. Each fund
had a specific purpose, as the name implies. By setting aside separate
funds on paper (in the ledger), but still having one account, this
helped us in several ways.
One, there was only one account to reconcile each month. Two, there
was only one checkbook to keep track of. And, three, if for some reason
one of the accounts fell short for any reason, then you could still
write checks for that fund, as long as the other funds had money in
them. This allowed us to borrow from one fund for another without too
much trouble or wasted time transferring money at the bank.
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made it spiritual -- I like that :) When we look at church finances we
must have in our mind and in our heart that God is still in control. I
appreciate all the input but Ron really hit the nail on the head
>>>>>>>>>>>>
One thought comes to mind when I think of church finances. The Lord
giveth and the Lord taketh away. :-) Seriously, this seems to be an
area that needs much consideration and prayer. It is one area that the
world thinks the preacher (whether church planter or established church
pastor) is the sole beneficiary. We know this is not the case, but we
must do the best we can to guard 1)our own reputation, 2) our churches
reputation, in money matters. Because of this we need to use much care
in our handling of church finance.
1. We must be careful in our attempts to raise funds. Bro. Sam
Davidson had some interesting thoughts about this in an article printed
in the tribune a few months ago. We must be concerned about the needs
of the ministry and thus spend some time raising funds, but we must also
be aware that the world thinks we are just building our own "empire." I
never have been very comfortable with radio and TV personalities that
seem to spend more time promoting (begging for money, selling bricks,
hankies, splinters off the cross and a multitude of other methods) their
particular ministry, than proclaiming the Word. The world sees this and
grows weary of it. It seems to me that we need to be extremely careful
in our methods of raising necessary funds. BTW, God has called on his
people to tithe (some won't like that idea :-)) and give offerings to
meet the needs of His work. My personal opinion is that bake sales, car
washes, church wide rummage sales and, etc., won't take care of the
needs any better than God's plan will.
2. We must have others involved in the keeping of the finances of
the church. Two reasons.
1) It keeps US honest and accountable.
2) It guards US against unfounded accusations.
Both of these will prove to be of vital importance to the previously
mentioned reputation. These will also build trust with our people.
When we have their trust and they feel that we aren't going to 'waste'
their money, they will give to those special needs better.
3. We must be completely honest, open and above board! People can
detect when we aren't and it will create problems for us. These are
generally problems we can do without. Most times they are problems that
could/should have been prevented.
4. We must trust the Lord. Matt.6:33 and a multitude of similar
verses are still in the Bible and still work. In December God opened an
opportunity for us to purchase a building to be used by our Mission work
in Independence, Kansas. We needed to come up with $33,000. I talked
to several pastor friends, as well as, a couple of church finance
agencies. I was told, "If you can raise $10,000, we'll loan you the
rest." I thought there was no way we could do that. Our church is not
big enough. We average about 60 in S.S. I knew our State Fellowship
(I've been the treasurer for the past five years) well enough to feel
that even with their help we would fall short by 3,000 to 4,000 dollars.
We began to pray that if God wanted us to make this purchase that He
would give us the $10,000. When all was said and done we were given
$10,100 toward this purchase. My only problem with this is, why didn't
I ask God for $33,000 instead <G>. He is able!
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