{"id":4367,"date":"2017-06-26T08:00:36","date_gmt":"2017-06-26T12:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/trainchurchleaders.com\/practicum\/?p=4367"},"modified":"2024-12-09T13:44:52","modified_gmt":"2024-12-09T18:44:52","slug":"financial-consultants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trainchurchleaders.com\/practicum\/financial-consultants.htm","title":{"rendered":"Financial Consultants & the Church"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Financial
\nChurch finances can get complicated — establishing yearly budgets, paying bills and still doing ministry especially if giving is down, reallocating funds, abiding by non-profit regulations, fund-raising, and more. Organizing and running a capital campaign can be time consuming and overwhelming. Sometimes leadership needs help, a consultant.<\/p>\n

While our trust must always be first and foremost in the Lord (Ps. 143:10; Prov. 3:5-6; 9:10; James 1:5-6), we do have biblical grounds for seeking guidance and understanding from others (Prov. 1:5; 11:14; 12:15; 15:22).<\/p>\n

Don’t Overlook Consultants within Your Church<\/h2>\n

No, this isn\u2019t necessarily referring to those in your church with jobs or training in banking or other financial institutions. The Church isn’t a business organization but rather a living organism needing the power of God to sustain it and propel it toward making an eternal difference. Since spiritual gifts<\/a> are special divine empowerments that enable us to accomplish God’s purposes, His way, with His intended outcome, then we need to determine who has the spiritual gifts best suited for providing consultation that makes spiritual sense, not just business sense.<\/p>\n

Order the Ministry Handbook: Spiritual Gifts in Use<\/strong><\/a> for which gifts best serve this purpose. You’ll also find suggestions in the handbook for who might best manage church finances along with gifting suited for a variety of broad ministry areas and specific tasks.<\/p>\n

Bringing in an Outside Financial Consultants<\/h2>\n

You might at times sense an outside financial consultant beneficial, particularly when the situation involves legal issues or requires a level of expertise not within the Body. Hopefully that will be after consulting with those within your Body gifted to bring spiritual counsel. And, if you can, make these people part of a team that works with the outside consultants.<\/p>\n

Consider God’s words about not being “yoked” with unbelievers (2 Cor. 6:14-18). Search for a Christian firm for the potential of them approaching it from a ministry stance. Remember, this is God’s work, not just another community organization or business endeavor. Even then, get recommendations or references from other churches who have used their services. Interview the firm prior to going into a contract with them to learn about their perspective and style. You need to know about more than their fees and expected outcome. Make sure it is a good fit theologically, philosophically, and relationally.<\/p>\n

Whether getting financial consultation from within or outside, the objective should always be to align with God’s priorities and purposes.<\/p>\n

For More on These Topics:<\/p>\n