10 things to know before you write your 2015 budget

10 Things to Know Before You Write Your 2015 Budget

Rod WiltroutChurch Finance Specialist

CSBCrwiltrout@csbc.com(559) 287-7840 cell

God’s Way-Stewardship

Know the percentages

• 50% for Salaries and Benefits

• 10% Give Away• 10% New Ministries• 15% Existing Ministries• 15% Bldg & Grounds &

Debt Reduction• Savings

Salaries and Benefits

Give Away New

Ministries

Existing Ministries

Bldgs &GroundsDebt Reduction

Savings

Remember Your Purpose

• It has been said that it is easy to mistake the rim of the rut for the horizon

• Why are you here?• What would be on your church’s tombstone? • What would the LORD and the community

remember you for?• Would you be missed?

Focus on Your Vision

• Purpose says why you exist• Vision states what God wants to do through

you• “Without revelation people run wild, but one

who keeps the law will be happy.” The Holy Bible : Holman

Christian standard version. 2003 (Pr 29:18). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.

Train Your Leaders to handle their Budget

• Give them an administrative spine• Are your leaders spending money the church

does not have to do work that the church is not called to do to impress people who are not responsive to the ministry?

• Get them focused!

Budget from top down & bottom up

• Each group has a different perspective of the ministry

• Have a retreat, make a plan• Review your church’s purpose and vision –

Listen to their input• Focus on this year’s emphasis• Put your leadership in teams to accomplish

the goals

Use a Ministry Proposal

• Contains Church and Ministry purpose statement

• Ministry always resides within the umbrella of the church purpose statement

Ministry Proposal

Purpose StatementThe Purpose of First Southern Baptist Church is to lead people to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and into the fellowship of His church, growing them in Christ-like maturity, equipping them for ministry in the church and their mission in the world, and to celebrate Him in worship.Ministry Purpose Statement of _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Goal: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Action Plans•____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________•____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________•____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________•____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ministry ProposalAction Plan #2______________ $_______________________ $_______________________ $_________

$________Action Plan #3______________ $_______________________ $_______________________ $_________

$________Action Plan #4______________ $_______________________ $_________

$_________Grand Total for Ministry...................................................$________

All action plans must be put in order of importance

All action plans are to be put in the order of importance

Ask the three questions

• How will the money and this ministry help the church accomplish its mission?

• What is this ministry’s priority based on the mission of our church?

• Is this the best way to achieve this ministry or should the suggested alternative be chosen?

Have a Ministry Faire.

• Showcase your ministries

• Enlist new workers

• Make it a special night with food

and fun

Review the Budget Monthly

• Stay on track• Make sure you are getting “bang for the

buck”• Spot problems – Where are the bottlenecks?• See new opportunities – Where is God at

work?• Communicate with your leadership – it’s a

two way street

Consider purchasing Key Man insurance

• What would it cost the church if the pastor left?

• What would it cost to replace the pastor? i.e. travel, meals, interviews, etc.

• What would it cost for an intentional interim?

• What if your church was in the middle of a building or remodel phase?

Share the vision on a monthly basis.

• Keeps the church informed• Keeps the church energized• Keeps the contributions flowing

• Remember, vision must be personal and become personal to inspire!

What Questions do you have for me?

559 287-7840 cell 559 256-0858 direct line

rwiltrout@csbc.com