Dollars and Sense: Facilities

As I talk with Pastor's and church leaders about their ministries and facilities the conversation of the dollars and the budget play a primary role.  While churches are non profit entities, money still plays a critical role in building facilities and providing programs.  It is the ministry budget that allows churches to rent, buy, and build facilities and pay staff that run the ministry.  As non profits, churches do not exist to make money but they do operate and stay afloat in large part because of tithes and donations given by faithful members and supporters.

So what is the role of money in ministry and what is the best use of these dollars?

Every Church meets somewhere.  That somewhere whether it is owned, leased or rented has an associated cost that is weekly, monthly, or annual.  Churches employ anywhere from 1 to dozens of people depending on the size of the church.  Traditionally those employees are paid in American dollars as well.  Churches make the best use of the tithes and offerings that come in by setting a ministry budget that is approved to meet the needs of the ministry and fall in line with the income from the tithes and offerings.  This ministry budget defines the income and the expenses of the church.  Non-profit does not mean that every dollar in must go directly into ministry each month.  Any banker will tell you that a church that wants to purchase a property will need to have cash reserves on hand to cover a down period in giving.  As evidenced by the last 24+ months, those times will come.  The church that fails to save and have cash reserves is failing to count the cost and can be vulnerable to turbulent times.  

If you need help counting the cost, or starting a budget for your church please call me today.  I am happy to sit down and discuss these things with you to help your ministry count the cost.  469-446-5131.