Titel: Guidelines Finance: Handling God's Money in the Church (Guidelines for Leading Your Congregation)
Verlag: Abingdon Pr
Erscheinungsjahr: 2012
Sprache: Englisch
ISBN-10: 1426736371
ISBN-13: 9781426736377
Einband: Paperback
Zustand: Fair
Zustand des Schutzumschlags: No Jacket
Gewicht: 0,2�Pfund

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Guidelines for Leading Your Congregation 2013–2016 - Finance

Handling God's Money in the Church

By Philip D. Jamieson, Janet T. Jamieson

Abingdon Press

Called to a Ministry of Faithfulness and Vitality, 
Part One: Getting Started, 
My Ministry in Finance, 
Understanding the Theological Foundations, 
Committee Members and Basic Responsibilities, 
How Should We Start?, 
Part Two: Financial Vitality, 
Financial Transparency, 
Missional Budgeting and Fundraising, 
Best Practices, 
Part Three: Position Descriptions, 
The Treasurer, 
The Financial Secretary, 
The Chairperson of the Committee on Finance, 
Appendix: Laws and Regulations, 
Resources, 
General Agency Contacts,

CHAPTER 1

Part One: Getting Started

My Ministry in Finance

The ministry of the committee on finance is to nurture the financial vitality of the congregation. This is a comprehensive assignment that encompasses a variety of responsibilities, all of which are necessary if the congregation is to accomplish its vision for ministry. This Guideline provides a broad overview of the characteristics of financially vital congregations as well as the specific responsibilities of those serving on this important committee. This guideline should be used by the chairperson of the committee on finance, the treasurer, the financial secretary, and the church business administrator (if there is one).

FINANCIALLY VITAL CONGREGATIONS

To begin, what are the distinctive characteristics of financially vital congregations? Notably, these congregations are transparent in their relationship with money, think missionally about budgeting and fundraising, and engage in certain financial best practices. In Part Two, specific steps will be described that your committee can follow to grow toward greater financial vitality, but first let's begin with expanding each of these distinctive characteristics.

Financial transparency: Money is perhaps the most powerful force in our lives. Secrecy generally serves to increase money's power. Financially vital congregations do not conduct their money matters under a cloak of secrecy, but rather purposefully cultivate a culture of openness and transparency by (a) sharing clear, easy-to-understand financial reports with members; (b) implementing a strong system of internal controls; and (c) providing for an annual audit of the financial reports.

Missional budgeting and fundraising: In many congregations, the focus from week-to-week is on whether there will be enough money to pay the bills. Financially vital congregations, however, have moved beyond a survivability mindset to think missionally about budgeting. Rather than thinking in terms of scarcity, these congregations have allowed God's great abundance to frame their approach to budgeting and to raising funds to support mission. They recognize that, perhaps more than anything else the church says or does, the annual budget is a statement of faith that reveals what is most important to the congregation. So before determining a budget, financially vital congregations first seek to discern what activities God is already about in their communities that God would invite them to join. The role of the committee on finance is not to set the spending priorities of the church, but to facilitate this congregation-wide activity of discerning, planning, and budgeting for God's mission.

Best Practices: Financially vital congregations engage in practices that ensure their current financial health and long term sustainability. Among these are the ways in which these churches deal with risk, laws and regulations, restricted donations and non-cash gifts, related-party transactions, and apportionments.

As a leader within your congregation in the area of finance, your work is to understand these drivers of financial vitality, to determine your goals for the year in each area, to develop strategies to meet the goals, and to establish measures that evaluate if each goal has been met. (In Part Two, we will take a deeper look at each of the characteristics of financially vital congregations with more information on measures and evaluation.)

Understanding the Theological Foundations

In many local churches, money talk is taboo. Churches are dependent upon the offerings of members and constituents. Yet, many people do not like to hear too much money talk in church. This stands in stark contrast to the Bible where money talk is both frequent and pointed. The Bible portrays money as a powerful force in life and ultimately, a contender against God for a person's primary loyalty.

The Bible discusses money within three basic categories. First, money is a blessing from God. Throughout the Old Testament, Israel is promised material blessing as it faithfully follows God. Still, the blessing is never an end in itself, but is meant to reveal the power of the true God. Furthermore, God's people are always blessed in order to be a blessing to others. This leads to the second important way that money is discussed; those who have been blessed by God are expected to care for those who are in need. Giving is not an option for God's people, but is foundational to the lives of disciples. Both Testaments speak frequently of giving in order to support God's mission. "Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7). Finally, money is understood as a potential idol and a force of disruption against a person's ability to love God and neighbor. The most famous text for this aspect of money's identity is Matthew 6:24: "No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth."

Beyond all its other roles, the committee on finance serves at a primary place of Christian discipleship by asking the key questions of church members: "Whom do you serve?" "Does Christ or mammon rule your life?" The finance committee can make a great difference in helping a congregation fully embrace the reality of Christ's lordship over money.

JOHN WESLEY AND MONEY

John Wesley, the primary founder of the Methodist movement, frequently spoke about money and its relationship to our lives as followers of Christ. Regarding money, his most famous words to the early Methodists were to gain, save, and give all that one can. Perhaps less famous were his concerns that many Methodists were quite content to follow two-thirds of his advice; that is, many were gaining and saving, but few were truly giving as much as they could. Some things change very little. One of the key roles for the committee on finance is to encourage contemporary United Methodists to continue to take John Wesley's complete message to heart. This can be done through verbal witness, but it is most effectively accomplished through the adoption of sound financial practices, which will be described below.

STEWARDSHIP AS DISCIPLESHIP

Finally, building on the witness of Scripture and the United Methodist tradition, the committee on finance can help members of the congregation embrace the life of stewardship. The way in which the committee addresses money is crucial here. The Christian faith consistently lifts up the image of a steward regarding financial matters. Ultimately for Christians, all that...

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