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Budget Process of Body Life?

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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

Budget Process

God designed the Church to function as a Body in an interdependent and unified way wherein everybody is a valuable and needed part.

Why should the budget be placed outside of His design?

In some churches an elite few, or even just one person, work on the budget and then present to the congregation to merely accept what has been deemed as best for the Body. Is it then any wonder voting on the proposed budget sometimes leads to bickering and disgruntled parishioners? Is it any wonder giving does not match up to the budget?

God designed the Church to function as a Body because it works. When people’s input is requested, valued and seriously considered in developing the budget, they tend to be more supportive of the end result even if it isn’t completely in congruence with their thoughts. Ownership has been secured and they tend to be more willing to give, even sacrificially, to something they have been a part of.

Emphasize the budget process over the end result.

You need a workable budget that provides for the needs of the various ministry areas, a budget with ministry in mind. When the process matters most in developing a budget, it becomes more than merely balancing figures on a piece of paper. Rather, it becomes about:

1) Pursuing God’s Purposes

If seeking to line up with God’s purposes when developing a budget, prayer becomes an integral part of the process … before, during and after. Just as a physical body gets its directions from the brain, so the Body of Christ looks to the Head of the Church. You can’t function as a Body without the Head leading the way.

2) Putting People First

Getting people from the various ministries involved helps to keep the focus on ministry. Leaders, and even a budget committee, can sometimes be too far removed from the real needs of the different ministries so it is important team leaders have a platform for sharing their perceptions about what is needed to accomplish God’s purposes in their ministry areas.

Remember, when a budget is based on “OUR” goals born out of prayer, people have more of a tendency to support it and make sure it is met.

The Steering the Church Toward Body Life Leadership Guide helps you think through how much budgeting is a process of Body Life in your church by asking some strategic questions about your practices.

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2 Replies to “Budget Process of Body Life?”

    • God never promised Body life and living in accordance with His purposes would be easy or problem-free. If it was, we would see fewer church divisions. Satan does not want us to do church God’s way. He will piggyback on our self-centeredness and seek to throw obstacles in our way. But, when we follow God’s design and purposes, that is when we truly make a difference in this world and bring glory and honor to Him. In the end, it is well worth it. A key to involving more people is to have someone who coordinates the process willing to invest the time, be patient with the process and tactful in dealing with people. We are not talking about putting a big group of people in a room and letting it run rampant.

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