Baptist News Global
Sections
  • News
  • Analysis
  • Opinion
  • Curated
  • Storytelling
    • Faith & Justice >
      • Charleston: Metanoia with Bill Stanfield
      • Charlotte: QC Family Tree with Greg and Helms Jarrell
      • Little Rock: Judge Wendell Griffen
      • North Carolina: Conetoe
    • Welcoming the Stranger >
      • Lost Boys of Sudan: St. John’s Baptist Charlotte
      • Awakening to Immigrant Justice: Myers Park Baptist Church
      • Hospitality on the corner: Gaston Christian Center
    • Signature Ministries >
      • Jake Hall: Gospel Gothic, Music and Radio
    • Singing Our Faith >
      • Hymns for a Lifetime: Ken Wilson and Knollwood Baptist Church
      • Norfolk Street Choir
    • Resilient Rural America >
      • Alabama: Perry County
      • Texas: Hidalgo County
      • Arkansas Delta
      • Southeast Kentucky
  • More
    • Contact
    • About
    • Donate
    • Associated Baptist Press Foundation
    • Planned Giving
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Advertising
    • Ministry Jobs and More
    • Transitions
    • Subscribe
    • Submissions and Permissions
Donate Subscribe
Search Search this site

Rebalancing congregational finances for missional ministry

OpinionGeorge Bullard  |  October 16, 2012

Your congregational budget has become a straitjacket. What do you do to rebalance your finances for missional ministry? You have at least two choices. One is to take an allocation approach and the other is to take an innovation approach.

Allocation involves continual slicing of the budget pie in different ways, and thus allowing the Budget Creep to continue. This is the case with congregations unwilling to change their direction, or their commitments to staff leadership and buildings.

These congregations consider staff leadership and buildings fixed costs that are a contractual and even sacred commitment. To a certain degree this is true. From another perspective this is not.

Cut Missional Engagement? Making the allocation choice often negatively impacts missional engagement first. When missional engagement is cut this usually means cuts to the missional efforts of the denomination, or initially non-core and later core missional commitments of the congregation.

Missional efforts can still be carried out, but now participants are required to raise all or part of the money needed for these efforts. The number of missional efforts supported through the budget is reduced. Special missional offerings and fundraisers are now called on to raise funds for missional efforts.

Some congregational participants shift their personal generosity from the congregational budget to the missional efforts. Therefore, this is not new, but reallocated money.

Cut Missional Formation? Missional formation is the second area to be impacted. Funds allocated to programs, ministries, and activities are decreased. Some ongoing missional formation programs or special projects are eliminated, downsized, required to charge a fee, or told they have to raise their own funding.

Cut Buildings and Equipment? Third in line for cuts are the buildings and equipment. Some of these allocation actions produce a different type of deficit called Facilities Neglect. This involves neglecting routine maintenance of buildings and equipment because the money is not available. This is a “pay me now” or “pay me later” situation.

Long-term it is not unusual for portions or all of certain buildings to be abandoned. The first step is to use this space for storage or low priority activities. Eventually some of this space becomes neglected space and deteriorates to where it is unusable.

Cut Staff Leadership? Ultimately congregations must downsize staff. Often before they do this they delay or do not replace staff vacancies.

None of these allocation actions will rebalance congregational finances. It takes innovation actions; doing things in a way that involves creativity and a deeper commitment. Several approaches should be considered.

Idea One: Establish percentage ranges for what the congregation will spend on staff leadership, buildings and equipment, missional formation, and missional engagement. If the current budget is outside these ranges, then establish a multi-year plan to bring the budget within these ranges. Three years may work in many situations.

These are easy words, but tough actions! Moving to these percentage ranges can call for a modification of the behavior and spending patterns of the congregation. This is difficult to do and to sustain.

Idea Two: Discover ways to provide the same or similar staff leadership, buildings and equipment, missional formation, and missional engagement services at an alternative cost. Seek to do so without sacrificing quality.

Idea Three: Reconceptualize some of your staff leadership roles making greater use of outsourcing, technology, volunteers, and a type of staff called 22-44 Ministry Mobilizers.

Idea Four: Recommit to the core funding streams of the congregation surrounding tithes, offerings, and regular special offerings, and then expand the funding streams. Expanded funding streams include capital stewardship campaigns, planned giving, investments, fees for events and services, in-kind services and volunteers, grants from foundations, sale-lease-rental of assets, targeted fundraisers, and income from non-members.

What are your ideas for rebalancing your congregational finances for missional ministry?

Next: Downsizing Staff without Destroying Your Congregation

[This is the second blog post in a series. The first was “What do you do when your budget becomes a straitjacket?” and is found at http://www.baptistnews.com/blog/leadership/what-do-you-do-when-your-budget-becomes-a-straitjacket-2012-10-05/.]

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)

OPINION: Views expressed in Baptist News Global columns and commentaries are solely those of the authors.
Tags:budget creepleadershipdownsizeCongregationsfacilities neglectTechnologyfinancescongregationfunding streamsvolunteersmissional formationTechnology & Churchoutsourcinginnovationstaff leadershipmissional engagementMinistry22-44 Ministry MobilizersMissionsallocationMissional
More by
George Bullard
  • Get BNG headlines in your inbox

  • Featured

    • Yes, Tim Scott is a Black man, but he’s still promoting Christian nationalism

      Opinion

    • New documentary series shows how churches that close can keep ministry open

      News

    • Here’s why Ron DeSantis has gone to war with Disney

      Opinion

    • Remembering Bob Seymour: Being wise as serpents and harmless as doves

      Opinion


    Curated

    • US Slavic Churches Booming with Ukrainian War Refugees

      US Slavic Churches Booming with Ukrainian War Refugees

    • What is ‘ethical AI’ and how can companies achieve it?

      What is ‘ethical AI’ and how can companies achieve it?

    • Russia acknowledges Vatican peace initiative, says no steps yet for a mission to Moscow

      Russia acknowledges Vatican peace initiative, says no steps yet for a mission to Moscow

    • What we need to understand is that fascism is intersectional and erotic — ’thy rod is thy gun,’ with a hip-thrust

      What we need to understand is that fascism is intersectional and erotic — ’thy rod is thy gun,’ with a hip-thrust

    Read Next:

    Evangelical worldview ministries seek to promote ‘proper’ thoughts, beliefs and actions

    NewsSteve Rabey

    More Articles

    • All
    • News
    • Opinion
    • Curated
    • How the Progressive National Baptist Convention plans to put faith into action

      OpinionDarryl Gray

    • Believe me: The struggle of Black pain

      OpinionZachary Barber

    • They’ll know we are Christians by our what?

      OpinionBill Leonard, Senior Columnist

    • U.S. Department of Education issues guidance on religious expression in schools

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • How to celebrate Pentecost without balloons, plastic doves or salsa

      OpinionJack Levison

    • Ten Commandments bill dies in Texas Legislature

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • The generational pain and hope of the Southern Baptist witch trials

      OpinionWill Raybon

    • Leader of Assemblies of God student group at Baylor arrested on child sexual abuse charges

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • BJC and Interfaith Alliance applaud first-ever national strategy to counter antisemitism

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Why demographic shifts haven’t yet swamped the Republican Party

      OpinionRobert P. Jones

    • Tina Turner kept the divine flame burning

      OpinionJustin Cox

    • Remembering Bob Seymour: Being wise as serpents and harmless as doves

      OpinionCurtis Freeman

    • Here’s why Ron DeSantis has gone to war with Disney

      OpinionRodney Kennedy

    • New documentary series shows how churches that close can keep ministry open

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Yes, Tim Scott is a Black man, but he’s still promoting Christian nationalism

      OpinionRick Pidcock

    • Southwestern Seminary trustees called to special meeting next Tuesday

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Transitions for the week of 5-26-23

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • 8-year-old’s death in CBP custody highlights Biden’s ‘system of death,’ immigration advocates say

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Why ‘affirming’ churches need to speak up

      OpinionSusan M. Shaw, Senior Columnist

    • Evangelical worldview ministries seek to promote ‘proper’ thoughts, beliefs and actions

      NewsSteve Rabey

    • Five things Southern Baptists should do now to address clergy sex abuse

      OpinionChrista Brown and David Clohessy

    • Why we must be cautious about understanding what’s going on at Southwestern Seminary

      OpinionMark Wingfield

    • Here’s another angle to corporate DEI work: Increased support for ‘faith friendly’ workplaces

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • On graduation and the priesthood of all believers

      OpinionVal Fisk

    • Here’s how to force SBC entities to be accountable to people in the pew about their finances

      OpinionMark Wingfield

    • U.S. Department of Education issues guidance on religious expression in schools

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Ten Commandments bill dies in Texas Legislature

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Leader of Assemblies of God student group at Baylor arrested on child sexual abuse charges

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • BJC and Interfaith Alliance applaud first-ever national strategy to counter antisemitism

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • New documentary series shows how churches that close can keep ministry open

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Southwestern Seminary trustees called to special meeting next Tuesday

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Transitions for the week of 5-26-23

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • 8-year-old’s death in CBP custody highlights Biden’s ‘system of death,’ immigration advocates say

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Evangelical worldview ministries seek to promote ‘proper’ thoughts, beliefs and actions

      NewsSteve Rabey

    • Here’s another angle to corporate DEI work: Increased support for ‘faith friendly’ workplaces

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Amid Sudan war and elsewhere, water scarcity threatens lives

      NewsAnthony Akaeze

    • Ministry jobs and more

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • Gap widens on American confidence in vaccines

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Seven graphs that show the state of American religious attendance today

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Tim Keller was a really nice guy, but that wasn’t enough for everyone

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • In Mozambique, informal economies are springing up around Pentecostal pilgrimages

      NewsDegracias Kalimo

    • Immigration advocates continue to rip Biden administration for betrayal of campaign promises 

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Missouri bill to increase statute of limitations for child sexual abuse victims dies in Senate

      NewsMallory Challis

    • ‘Every single pastor at the conference should forbid their wives from attending her session’

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Colorado Springs elects a Nigerian immigrant — and political Independent — as mayor

      NewsSteve Rabey

    • On its 60th anniversary, ‘Letter from Birmingham Jail’ still speaks

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Alliance focuses spring meeting on setting modern-day captives free

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • SBC presidential candidate describes his church as ‘the strictest of the strict complementarians’

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Northern Seminary students file complaint with accreditation board

      NewsElizabeth Souder

    • Rick Warren outlines five reasons Saddleback will challenge its expulsion from SBC

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • How the Progressive National Baptist Convention plans to put faith into action

      OpinionDarryl Gray

    • Believe me: The struggle of Black pain

      OpinionZachary Barber

    • They’ll know we are Christians by our what?

      OpinionBill Leonard, Senior Columnist

    • How to celebrate Pentecost without balloons, plastic doves or salsa

      OpinionJack Levison

    • The generational pain and hope of the Southern Baptist witch trials

      OpinionWill Raybon

    • Why demographic shifts haven’t yet swamped the Republican Party

      OpinionRobert P. Jones

    • Tina Turner kept the divine flame burning

      OpinionJustin Cox

    • Remembering Bob Seymour: Being wise as serpents and harmless as doves

      OpinionCurtis Freeman

    • Here’s why Ron DeSantis has gone to war with Disney

      OpinionRodney Kennedy

    • Yes, Tim Scott is a Black man, but he’s still promoting Christian nationalism

      OpinionRick Pidcock

    • Why ‘affirming’ churches need to speak up

      OpinionSusan M. Shaw, Senior Columnist

    • Five things Southern Baptists should do now to address clergy sex abuse

      OpinionChrista Brown and David Clohessy

    • Why we must be cautious about understanding what’s going on at Southwestern Seminary

      OpinionMark Wingfield

    • On graduation and the priesthood of all believers

      OpinionVal Fisk

    • Here’s how to force SBC entities to be accountable to people in the pew about their finances

      OpinionMark Wingfield

    • These are some of the best pastors I know

      OpinionJustin Cox

    • Worshiping guns, weaponizing God    

      OpinionScott Spreier

    • Of two minds: Iain McGilchrist and the tyranny of left hemisphere religion

      OpinionAlan Bean

    • Faith freedom for all calls for justice and reconciliation

      OpinionSabrina Dent

    • The lion, the witch-hunt and the boardroom: Reflections 30 years after the harrowing of Southern Seminary

      OpinionBrad Bull

    • Is our ever-changing worship music giving us spiritual amnesia?

      OpinionJason Koon

    • Is calling someone a ‘white supremacist’ the same as calling someone the ‘N-word’?

      OpinionRodney Kennedy

    • An eleventh commandment: Be careful what you wish for

      OpinionDon Polaski

    • In the beginning and the here and now: Genesis’ call to care for creation

      OpinionBrett Younger

    • Ron DeSantis is dead wrong — again

      OpinionMark Wingfield

    • US Slavic Churches Booming with Ukrainian War Refugees

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • What is ‘ethical AI’ and how can companies achieve it?

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Russia acknowledges Vatican peace initiative, says no steps yet for a mission to Moscow

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • What we need to understand is that fascism is intersectional and erotic — ’thy rod is thy gun,’ with a hip-thrust

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Our Beloved Ones Don’t Become Angels When They Die

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Turkey’s Christian Sites: Visiting The Seven Churches From The Book Of Revelation

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Firewalkers in Greece honor Saint Constantine in mystery-shrouded, centuries-old rituals

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • In fight against ‘tyranny,’ Michigan board declares itself ‘constitutional county’

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Montana acts to protect Native American priority in adopting Native children

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • A new documentary takes a deep dive into the ancient and modern practice of Sabbath

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Priest killed in Mexico; 9th slain in country in past 4 years

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Fewer Christians Know Families Who Foster or Adopt

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Wikipedia disciplines editors in Holocaust distortion dispute but sidesteps debate over Polish complicity

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Religious broadcasters seek to reverse California law aimed at quelling online hate speech

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Second Christian Conscientious Objector Given Jail Sentence In Ukraine

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • UK report finds Britons’ lack of faith knowledge deeply disturbing

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • When faith says to help migrants – and the law says don’t

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • 3 Palestinian militants killed in Israeli West Bank raid; US slams latest settlement expansion

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • As enrollment dropped, more Hebrew schools opened in San Francisco

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Religious broadcasters seek to reverse California law aimed at quelling online hate speech

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Vatican recalls stamp celebrating Portugal’s colonial empire after complaints

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Tim Keller, influential author and pastor, receiving hospice care at home

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Hell, yes: younger Britons more likely to believe in damnation, study finds

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Auschwitz museum begins emotional work of conserving 8,000 shoes of murdered children

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Kashmiri Muslims Slam Social Media Influencers For Violating Faith And Sentiments

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    Conversations that Matter.

    © 2023 Baptist News Global. All rights reserved.

    Want to share a story? We hope you will! Read our republishing, terms of use and privacy policies here.

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • RSS