Teaching pastors to limit risks and liabilities, plan for the future, and exercise common sense in their own lives and for their churches is of utmost importance in the 21st Century. Pastors must be offered strategic planning tools which will form the foundation on which strong, healthy churches are built. A pastor-passionate organization will help pastors be proactive rather than reactive.Pastors must be taught more about risk assessment, budgeting, personal finances, paying off debt and saving for the future.
Risk management includes screening every person who works with children at their church. Churches would be wise to have policies that require at least two people to be in each room where children are present, and if possible, video cameras installed where children learn and play. Eliminating the amount of risk a pastor has helps him concentrate on other areas of ministry that can help his church reach their community for Christ.
Budgeting tools could potentially help a pastor on several fronts of church ministry. To grow their churches numerically they must embrace budgeting and strategic planning. The definition of strategic planning is simply the best way to do something.
Debt is something that interferes or obstructs a person’s ability to do things God wants him or her to do. Borrowers are subject to the lenders. But lenders have the power to accomplish the things God has planned for their [lenders’] lives.
Pastors need to keep it simple, prioritize budget items to help increase growth, and let the budget be an accountability tool. Pastors would be well advised to get their personal finances in order, as they are the ones who need to set an example for their congregants. When you live a life based on God’s principles, God will bless you. Spiritual leaders have to lead because when leaders don’t lead, people can’t follow.
- Tithe 10 percent -- because when one puts “God first” he or she is blessed.
- Pay taxes -- because as Christians, “We have to be good citizens.”
- Establish and maintain a savings plan -- The Bible says wise men and women save. If we don’t have a financial plan to provide for our families we are denying our faith.
If a pastor wants to get his or her finances in order, he or she needs to confess one’s sins, ask God for forgiveness, and ask, “Lord give me the discipline and the plan to set my finances in place."
When pastors embrace such risk and liability-reducing and budgeting tools, it not only helps them focus on reaching people for Christ, it empowers their staffs and laypeople.
