To get the greatest benefit from this practicum, make sure you have read related training on the site. Go to: Church Leadership Basics: God’s Design for the Church – Body Life
In a previous post we considered how God designed the Church to function as a Body in an interdependent and unified way which means that even budgets become a process of Body Life. For this process to succeed, leaders need to foster the right kind of environment.
The Kind of Environment that Fosters Body Life Even When Doing a Church Budget
1) A Culture of Interdependence
involving others in the process
2) A Context for Unity
working together for the good of the whole
3) A Climate of Safety in Sharing
feeling safe to express opinions
The Steering the Church Toward Body Life Leadership Guide expounds on these elements needed in an environment conducive to Body Life in relation to budgeting.
For Other Resources, Go To:
All Posts about Budgeting and Finances:
- Budget Fit Your Church Purpose?
- Budget Process of Body Life?
- Budget Fostering Body Life?
- Budget Reflect the Great Commission?
- Church Finances & Christlikeness
- Praying About Church Finances is the Christ-like Thing to Do
- Encourage Integrity in Giving
- Managing Finances with Integrity
- Finances & The Way the Church Functions
- Gospel Affects Even Our Finances
- Grace Affects Giving
- Financial Consultants & the Church
- Financial Management in the Church
- Church Finances & the Spiritual Gift of Giving
- Prayer an Integral Part of Church Finances?
- Perspective When Praying about Finances
- Priorities When Praying about Finances
- God’s Word Helps with Church Finances
- Generosity Affected by the Name of the Lord
- Help for Working on Church Budgets
- Before Closing Your Doors, Remember God’s Resurrection Power
- Impact of Leaders’ Example on Church Finances
- The Impact of a Leaders’ Attitude Toward Money
- Protection & Safeguards for Church Finances
- Financial Protection Begins with the Belt of Truth
- Shepherd Leaders Protect and Nurture in Regard to Finances
After reading all this realize I need to be more proactive by laying out objectives and expectations. In past we handed out budgets for ministry leaders to work on without any real guidance. Honestly it’s always a hassle getting them to do it especially on time.
Budgets can seem like busywork for already over scheduled people who just want to serve and not have to deal with such tasks. We need to help people understand how God’s purposes for the church and budgeting mesh together, rather than stand as separate endeavors. If budgeting is an extension of Body Life and a reflection of living out God’s purposes for the church, it raises it to a higher level of importance.
Bottom line – need to lay more groundwork before starting the process. Thanks