Hi there. Here at Geneva Push, we're committed to helping the spread and impact of God's kingdom. Part of the way we do this is providing practical resources to church planters. From our blogs to video content and the annual Multiply Conference (register n
ow for Multiply 14!), there's a universe of assistance available to you. For example, take our monthly Planter Sessions. These interactive, online discussions address a new topic each month.
On July 22, you can be part of the next Planter Session, which will focus on Building Effective Leadership Teams. To give you an idea of how much information, analysis and encouragement flows from each Planter Session, check out the 5 points below. These top tips about church-plant budgeting came from last month's Planter Session, as EV Church's Andrew Heard guided us through 'How To Get The Money Together'.
Read on. Take notes. Eat up the experience and wisdom – and sign up for our next Planter Session: Building Effective Leadership Teams.
Budgeting, from the beginning of EV
The first year, 1996, was the hardest. Andrew worked part-time in another ministry capacity, commuting from Sydney while planting on NSW's Central Coast. First full budget in 1997 (his stipend claimed about 50%). Majority of problems related to Christians who had surprisingly different ideas about giving, such as that the minister shouldn't be paid or he should be the church's poorest member. Despite occasional problems, budgeting for church plant has become easier. This is because Andrew has spent much time educating people regarding a Biblical approach to money. He encourages them to become 'givers', rather than engaging in 'fundraising'.
How much do you need to plant a church?
An estimated base figure of $150,000, but Andrew knows church planters who only required $20,000, due to arrangements made with supportive churches. Andrew has developed a habit of differentiating between what he needs and what he wants. For example, in EV's early years, providing Andrew with a mobile phone was beyond the church's financial reach. While wanting one, he was able to 'survive' without a mobile. However, for church planter's now, a mobile is essential communication equipment. To determine what is a 'need' or a 'want', Andrew asks of every budget decision: 'Will this expense assist in making disciples?' If it doesn't serve that purpose, then it's not budgeted.
What is the ideal ratio of where funding support comes from?
A helpful, guiding ratio is 33% each from core members, family/friends, and external supporters. But the long-term goal is to avoid adopting a 'welfare mentality' when it comes to church planting. Andrew strongly advises against being a church that is reliant on large amounts of funding from an outside source. When Andrew and his team started EV, one of his financial targets was to repay a large proportion of the generous external funding. He wanted his church to become a 'giving church', rather than a 'receiving' one.
At the outset, how important are the planter's financial sacrifices?
It's important to remember all church planting is difficult and requires sacrifices. Also, some people can bear the sacrifices better than others. Andrew knows a couple who both worked 80 hours each and were happy; he joked that that arrangement, in his family, would result in divorce. Church planters should demonstrate sacrificial leadership and giving, but what enriches their mental health shouldn't be ignored either.
How do you protect yourself from a love of money?
Like every area of spiritual growth, Andrew advocated Bible reading, and prayer, as key ways to combat greed. Also, he advised keeping a notable distance from direct giving (for example, a policy of not accepting offerings which had been handed to him. Rather, all giving should go through official church channels). The idea of getting comfortable should be resisted, but not as much as the temptation to become reliant on ourselves rather than God.
– Ed.
