money and churches

We at Restoration church are extremely blessed even though we are only 3 years old. It may be due to me being a frugile leader but mostly due to the geneoristy and spiritual maturity of our people. We started with nothing, no money and have never had any outside support from any denomination or church. Actually we started out of Nicoles and I's savings account and bought supplies, sound and ( my dad paid the church first month rent). 3 years later, we have a building which we remodeled (nearly $50k paid in cash) and God has blessed us so much more than we could have ever expected. All this during a recession while most churches are struggling.






USA Today: For 1st time since recession churches report drop in giving.







If you read this morning's USA Today, you saw our research on the front page-- the recession has caught up with America's churches. We released a story here and you can find the full details here.



Although the National Bureau of Economic Research has determined that the recession is over, a new LifeWay Research study is showing that after a moderate impact for two years, the recession is now significantly impacting local churches with 79% reporting the economy is hurting their ministries.



Scott McConnell explained, "Because many members give in direct proportion to their income, Protestant churches may be more impacted by unemployment and Social Security than the stock market. Until unemployment turns around, Protestant churches may continue to struggle financially."



But the report also revealed encouraging developments as well. Forty-nine percent of the churches surveyed reported that volunteering in the community has increased in the past year in comparison to previous years, and 47 percent of churches are spending more money to help the needy.(lifeway research)







Some of the most asked questions that I hear from pastors are asked around the subjects of budgeting, margin, saving, and when and how to make large purchases. (buildings, staff, etc.) I have to say that while studying the Bible this morning I was convicted on some of the teachings that I read concerning margin, saving, borrowing, and yes even co-signing or being a guarantor for others. My tendency at times when I read convicting scriptures is to pass it off as just a different time or to think that those principles just don’t work in today’s culture. So I want to share what God’s word has to say about these things and pray that you will allow God to speak to you through them. And yes, these apply to CHURCHES and PERSONAL FINANCES.



1.) SAVINGS and MARGIN – Proverbs 21:20 says “Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling but a foolish man devours it.” likewise 1 Corinthians 16:2 says “On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.” These verses are as clear as you can get. God’s word tells us to set aside money for saving and to create margin in our budget! I am amazed at pastors that have a “spend it all” mentality and call it faith.



2. Plan Before you Spend - One of the biggest questions on the minds of church planting pastors is this. “When should we build or buy?” Can you believe that the answer to that question is found in scripture? Contrary to Hollywood, build it and they will come, is not a wise mentality. Debt can handcuff you and your church. I’ve seen it happen.



Proverbs 24:27 says “Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, after that build your house.”



Luke 14:28-30 I must say that the overall context of this passage is about the “cost of discipleship” but the example that Jesus gave is insightful into Jesus’ perspective on spending. “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, “this man began to build and was not able to finish” WOW! I have personally seen churches who have done this very thing, began and couldn’t finish!



3.) Debt – Proverbs 22:7 “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.” Romans 13:8 “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law” Don’t get mad at me, I’m just telling you what it says!



Also read Proverbs 22:26-27 and Proverbs 6:1-5 concerning putting up personal property as security for debt (If you are a pastor considering this, PLEASE READ THIS FIRST) and being a guarantor or co-signer.



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