•   Compendent
  • Business
  • Home & Garden
  • Wellness
  • Nonprofit
  • Life
  • Blogs We ♥
  • Contact
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Hide Search

VitalChurch Interim Pastor Training

Surprising Ways to Increase the Church Budget

by Bob Santy ·  3 min read  ·  March 5, 2022

Surprising Ways to Increase the Church Budget

In the 1946 Frank Capra film, It’s a Wonderful Life, when Uncle Billy loses the $8,000 deposit, it causes George Bailey to lose hope. In the movie, God sends Clarence, George’s guardian angel, down to earth to help restore his hope. In their first encounter, George asks Clarence if he has $8,000. Clarence responds that they do not need money in heaven. George responds in a way that would make any church financial leader proud, “Well, it comes in real handy down here, bud!” Church financial leaders understand that it takes money to pay utility bills, fund ministry, compensate staff, and accomplish the mission. Yet many churches are hesitant to talk about money, especially on a Sunday morning. It can seem very self-serving for a pastor to talk about giving, especially since their salary comes from a portion of the offering. Add into the mix the very public scandals of church embezzlement and the unspoken sentiment that churches only want your money, and it becomes a taboo topic.

Teach on Giving

The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy published the National Study of Congregations Economic Practices (NSCEP). This study of over 1,000 churches provides insights to help them use best practices, correct mistakes, and build better budgets to impact their communities. One of the findings of this study is that contrary to what many churches believe, churches that teach on giving grow faster. According to the data, 43% of the churches in the study teach on giving once or less per year. That means when it comes to biblical teaching on money, 57% of churches are spiritually undernourished. The Bible mentions money more than four times than prayer and faith. Imagine what would happen if churches talked about prayer this infrequently. Perhaps we have solved the mystery of why so many churches are under-resourced; the people don’t know what God says about money. Now, compare that to churches that discuss giving monthly. Those churches reported financial growth of 73%. That is powerful data. It seems that George Bailey may have been on to something by asking Clarence for money.

Large Donations are Rare

The NSCEP data shows that most church revenue comes from small to medium gifts. Small gifts are defined by the study as annual gifts under $100,000 and medium gifts as $100,000-$245,000 per year. The study shows that 28% of giving falls in the small donation category, and 33% in the medium-sized category. That means that only 9% of church donations came from large, annual gifts. In Proverbs 28:19-20, the author writes: Whoever cultivates his land will have plenty of food in the harvest, but whoever cultivates worthless ventures will have poverty in abundance. A reliable person will not escape blessings, but one who wants to get rich quick will not escape trouble (The Voice translation). 

If your church desires to increase its budget to maximize its potential, then it is time to invest in teaching biblical truths about how God expects us to handle His money. Churches can start by boldly mentioning the various ways people can donate to their church each week, like through a church app, via the website, and even by passing the plate or offering basket. Periodically share narratives demonstrating how their investment in what God is doing impacts lives and expands God’s kingdom through inspirational pastoral moments during the service, emails to the congregation, or blog posts. Inspire and encourage the small to medium givers to remain faithful, generous, and consistent in giving. George Bailey asked an angel for $8,000. By the end of the movie, all of the people George spent a lifetime investing in gave him tenfold what he needed. George would have made an excellent church financial leader. 

Filed Under: Nonprofit Tagged With: church budget

By Bob Santy

Executive Pastor of Operations at Sunridge Community Church in Temecula, CA, an independent, non-denominational church that is passionate about it's mission of helping people find and follow Jesus.

Primary Sidebar

RECENT POSTS

Church Budget: Living Document or Stone Tablet

February 3, 2023

Why Church Budgets Are Not Based on Tithing

February 2, 2023

Seven Office Supplies You Need for Your Home Office

January 31, 2023

Six Reasons to Choose the Pros When Moving a Home or Business

January 31, 2023

Condo Renovation Made Easy: Four Types of Flooring for Your Balcony

January 31, 2023

Recent Posts

Session 105 – Finalize the Church Budget

Church Budgeting 104 – Comparing and Adjusting the Projected Income to Expenses

Church Budgeting 103 N – Building the Non-Exempt Employee Compensation Projection

Church Budgeting 103 E – Building the Exempt Employee Compensation Projection

Church Budgeting 103 – Building the Expenses Projection

Related Articles


Church Budget: Living Document or Stone Tablet

Church Budget: Living Document or Stone Tablet

Why Church Budgets Are Not Based on Tithing

Why Church Budgets Are Not Based on Tithing

Session 105 – Finalize the Church Budget

Session 105 – Finalize the Church Budget

Church Budgeting 104 – Comparing and Adjusting the Projected Income to Expenses

Church Budgeting 104 – Comparing and Adjusting the Projected Income to Exp...

Church Budgeting 103 N – Building the Non-Exempt Employee Compensation Projection

Church Budgeting 103 N – Building the Non-Exempt Employee Compensation Pro...

Church Budgeting 103 E – Building the Exempt Employee Compensation Projection

Church Budgeting 103 E – Building the Exempt Employee Compensation Project...

Church Budgeting 103 – Building the Expenses Projection

Church Budgeting 103 – Building the Expenses Projection

Church Budgeting 102 – Building the Projected Income

Church Budgeting 102 – Building the Projected Income

Church Budgeting 101 – Where To Begin

Church Budgeting 101 – Where To Begin

Founding Sponsors
AV Programming Associates Christina DeBusk Greenlock Capital Long Beach Architect Ms Sparky Electric San Diego House Painters Purrfect Serving Canned Cat Food Cutters Smith Farms Custom Furniture VitalChurch Ministry
Scroll

© 2023 Compendent.com. All Rights Reserved.
Web Design by Modmacro℠

Sitemap  |  Advertising