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What’s New: As your church’s financial catalyst, it’s up to you to communicate that fundraising isn’t just about money and “stewardship.” It’s about creating a culture of mission-driven generosity and financial wisdom.
So What: Let’s face it, the church’s financial health is directly tied to its ability to fulfill its mission. And here’s the hard truth (whether you like it or not!): if you’re a lead pastor, fundraising isn’t optional—it’s essential.
Being Your Congregation’s Financial Catalyst:
- Preach Finances Like Jesus Did: Jesus spoke about money more than almost any other topic, second only to the Kingdom of God. Pastors need to mirror that focus, guiding the members to manage their money biblically and effectively.
Empower Financial Independence: Teaching stewardship isn’t just about tithing. Equip your members to live debt-free, plan wisely, invest effectively, as well as become the financial backbones of the church’s mission. In other words, preach tithing occasionally – preach debt relief and effective investing continually.
- Vision-Driven Budgeting: Every dollar spent should reflect the mission. Budgets aren’t just spreadsheets—they’re ministry maps that reveal the church’s priorities and commitments. Create your budget accordingly
And … ?
The church’s financial ecosystem doesn’t run on good intentions; it runs on giving that’s nurtured through discipleship and vision. When pastors talk about money only in the context of a fall stewardship campaign, they’re missing the point. Just as the Apostle Paul talked about generosity to encourage early churches, today’s pastors must regularly address the practical sides of money and money management. Remember, it was Jesus who moaned to his disciples that the people of darkness managed their assets better than the people of light (Luke 16) – let’s change that!
This isn’t about turning your church into a fundraising machine. It’s about weaving financial discipleship into the fabric of your ministry. From the pulpit to small groups, from financial coaching to mission-driven campaigns, pastors have an opportunity to transform the way their congregations think about wealth. And when churches embrace financial health, they’re empowered to live out their mission in extraordinary ways.
Action! Open your preaching calendar and plan some series (not just one) that will help both visitors and members to get out of debt, learn to invest, and make their money work for them rather than only working for the money.
