This is Dr. Donald E. Ross – one of Nelson’s Advanced Coaching Alumni, Renegade Pastor and Lead Pastor of Creekside Church in the Seattle, Washington Area – and I want to share with you some thoughts about an issue each of us faces regarding finances:
There is never enough to go around when it comes to money, but that is just not true. I’d like to challenge that concept in this article.
Saying there is never enough money is the same as saying there is never enough time, but that isn’t true either. We may feel like there is never enough time or money, but just because we feel that way doesn’t make it true.
There is always enough time to do God’s will. If it seems there isn’t enough time, either we are doing the wrong things, or not doing the right things. Either way, it’s an issue of obedience and not time.
I want to suggest the same is true for money. There is always enough money to do God’s will. God has promised that our needs will be met. God has promised that we will have enough money to help others and that His church will move forward.
Making sure you are well resourced as a church does not happen over night, but it can happen. As you build a culture of generosity in your church, you will see things change over time. As you teach your people to give and show responsible management, you are trusted with more.
Of course, you can’t lead a generous church without being a generous pastor and you can’t teach your people to give if you don’t give also. Each leader reproduces after their own kind.
If we’re feeling the money pinch, maybe the issue is obedience on our part as leaders, and not money. Maybe we just don’t feel comfortable talking a about it, so our people are not being lead. Here is a quick checklist to see if you are doing what you can as a leader to have your church well resourced.
1. Do you believe that stewardship is part of discipleship?
2. Do you teach, annually or quarterly, on biblical stewardship?
3. Do you provide multiple ways of giving beyond your Sunday morning offering (auto debit, online, giving kiosk, business reply envelopes in the program)?
4. Do you mail out quarterly thank you letters with giving statements?
5. What kind of preparation to you put into the Sunday morning offering?
6. Have you identified your top givers, those who obviously have the gift of giving, and thanked them personally?
7. Do you send a personal thank you note to first time givers?
8. Do you offer a stewardship class or small group to teach people about financial responsibility?
9. Have you graphed out your giving so you know your trend?
10. Are you a faithful tither and giver yourself?
Some helpful, practical books on dealing with money are Maximize by Nelson Searcy, A Spirituality of Fundraising by Henri Nouwen and 44 Ways to Increase Your Church’s Giving by Lyle Schaller.
Regardless of how uncomfortable you feel about money, it just can’t be ignored. As you began to read on this topic, you’ll find yourself feeling more comfortable with it. Your church has all you need to accomplish God’s will. You have enough time and you have enough money, just use both wisely and watch what happens.
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