Finances That Work

All of my Churches have seen strong financial growth. In general, I’d put sound finances down to this: 

• solid spiritual foundations (finances are firstly an indicator of spiritual health)

• constitutional process (which equals member confidence)

• well ordered finances (for example, a budget, monthly statements)

• transparency and accountability (for example, audits, reporting to members)

• a planned giving scheme, efficiently run, and 

• congregational participation and control. 

OBSERVATION: I have no doubt that such measures work. On the last point, I have both participation and control. A congregation may ultimately have control, without real participation, and vice versa. Notice also transparency and accountability. Transparency includes access to information sources, and that is surely necessary for accountability.