Strategic Mission Focused Budget

Presenter Jean-Luc Lzeau

Stewardship Department

General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Traditional Budgeting

Last years budget

Year-end financial statement

Traditional Budgeting
With small adjustments for:

- fixed expenses - departmental expenses.

=> NEXT YEARS BUDGET

Traditional Budgeting

REMAINS A TREASURERS AND SOMETIMES A PASTOR S UNDERTAKING.

RESULTS
Members are not involved in the

process Members are not part of the mission project if there is any Small percentage of the overall budget left for departmental expenses Same commitment as before Budget scarcely meets its end

RESULTS

Givers

Non Givers

RESULTS

30%give15% 20%give80% Non Givers 50%give5%

Who is responsible for the budget?

 Not only the treasurer Not only the pastor Not only the church board

But the whole church!

How can we get the whole church involved in church budgeting?

It has to start with the Pastor

The Seven Secrets of Strategic Budgeting

Pastoral Secret # 1
Is a model steward Is concerned with stewardship

issues that affect his Church

Builds confidence in pastoral

leadership

Pastoral Secret # 2
Believes in the importance of stewardship teaching

and training

Who is responsible to teach the members value system?

Pastoral Secret # 3
Regularly teaches & preaches stewardship truths, principles, and way of life.

Pastoral Secret # 4

Revisits the Mission Statement of

his Church

Mission Statement
The Mission Statement tells who we

are.

What we believe in What we are here for

Pastoral Secret # 5

Strategic Budgeting continues with

the Vision

Vision
The pastor must have a clear vision

of his Mission
He must share his Vision with his

church members
The Vision must not only be known

but shared by all

CASTING THE VISION

Model it Often Every 30-45 days

Develop it specifically
Expound upon it regularly Let every member own it

It is only when the Vision is clear and owned by the members that they will support the objective(s) that are chosen

CASTING THE VISION

Guide the Budget Development Process The process must fit the personality of your church Make sure it has credibility factors built-in Must be consistent with the Vision

Agenda for the First Budget Committee

The pastor reviews last years

activities/programs and the results.

Are these activities still in line with

the actual Vision?

Departmental directors are asked

to work on next years program keeping the actual Vision in mind.

Departmental Planning
Each department lays out

plans/projects that fit within the Vision

treasurer, the cost of each project is estimated

With the help of the Church

Expected results are to be given

Youth Department Projects

1 Door to door for enrolment in Bible correspondence course 500 50

2
3 4

Street Concert: Bible give away 1500 and collect addresses

Summer Bible class Youth camp for evangelism 2000 4000

25
40 20

Pastoral Secret # 7
Only then can a Mission-centered

budget be established

Pastoral Secret # 8
Selecting projects

Selecting projects
The Church Board evaluates projects and makes a prioritized list according to the following:
1. Does the project fit the objective? 2. Expected return on investment. 3. Draw the line on last years

budget.

Pastoral Secret # 8
Sifting the budget

Sifting the Budget

The Church Board eliminates or

reduces expenses that are not Mission centered.

Only a balanced budget based on

last years expenses can be presented.

Pastoral Secret # 9
Presenting the Budget

Presenting the Budget

Fellowship concept more important

than business meeting

The whole Church Board and all

Departmental Directors are present

Presenting the Budget

The different departmental projects
Stressing the cuts made for savings Outlining the fact that only part of

the projects can be budgeted

Year 2003
1. 2. 3. 4.

Bible correspondence Branch Sabbath Schools 5-Day Plan Evangelistic Campaign

500 2,500 1,000 8,000 12,000 5,000 4,000

5. 6.

Open door for homeless Youth camp

Pastoral Secret # 10
Asking for Church Support

Church acquires the projects

It is crucial that the church buys into the projects. They have to become the projects of the whole church, not only of the pastor or the Church Board.

Asking for Support

An opportunity for Kingdom building

and eternal values

Never leave a challenge hanging

give members an opportunity to

respond, even silently

Pastoral Secret # 11

Follow Through

Follow Through
Add projects as additional funds

are received and let members know

Keep in Mind
Different generations give for

different reasons
People find significance in giving

for something of eternal value

Use the budget process to clarify

and involve members in the Churchs Mission and Vision

Keep in Mind
This will help them grow spiritually

and in their personal walk with God

This will build unity in your Church This will make them the Masters

disciple

Your members will enjoy building

the Kingdom when they know it is both worthy & effective

The End