The intersection of mission and money in budgeting
supports a church’s commitment to living out its vision.
By Cara Garrity, Development Coordinator, Lynn, Massachusetts, U.S.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Budget season!
It can feel challenging to talk about church finances and budgets, yet it is a critical aspect of strategic ministry planning. It is a matter of good stewardship and intentional participation in ministry.
The most effective budgets begin with mission, vision, and values. What is the mission, vision, and values of the local congregation?
You may have heard it said that money follows what we value. Reflect on the budget and financial habits of the congregation. What does it reveal about what has been given value?
- In what ways has the budget reflected the mission, vision, and values of the local congregation?
- In what ways has the budget reflected values or priorities other than the stated mission, vision, and values of the congregation? Where did these alternative priorities come from?
- How can the budget become better aligned with the mission, vision, and values of the congregation in the upcoming year? What needs to change for that to happen?
You may have also heard the phrase “put your money where your mouth is.” It is meant as an exhortation to align your actions with your words. Don’t just talk about it, do something about it. Prayerful budgeting is one way that we can “put our money where our mouth is” concerning our participation in Jesus’ ministry and living out the mission, vision, and values of the local congregation.
- What are we willing to do or change so that our budget reflects our mission, vision, and values?
- How will the annual budget support the goals of the Team Ministry Action Plan (TMAP)?
- How will the annual budget reflect the priorities of the Faith, Hope, Love, and Pastor Avenues?
- How do we want to communicate about church finances?
Through a team-based process of prayer and discernment, the following three planning tools come together to support the mission, vision, and values of the local congregation:
- Team Ministry Action Plans
- Annual calendars
- Annual budgets
These three planning tools describe how the congregation intends to express their mission, vision, and values as they participate in Jesus’ ministry in the upcoming year. Thoughtful use of these three tools encourages alignment and intentionality in our local ministry participation.
I encourage you to use this final quarter of the year wisely. Take time in prayer and discernment with your team to develop a budget for 2025 that is in alignment with your congregation’s mission, vision, and values as well as your Ministry Action Plan and annual calendar.
Please refer to these Equipper articles for more information:
Team Ministry Action Plans
Individual Ministry Action Plans
Please refer to this Church Hack for more information about annual calendars and annual budgets.
