SEMINARS BITES

Presented at the 2024 Joint Clergy School on 2^nd July 2024

Introduction

• 1 Corinthians 4:2 (NIV) “Now it is required that those who have been given trust must prove faithful”
• This verse emphasizes the importance of faithfulness and responsibility in managing the resources of the church; it aligns well with the principles of good stewardship and accountability.

What Are Church Resources?

• Financial Resources
  • All monetary resources that accrues to the church like tithes and offerings, donations and grants, endowment funds i.e. funds invested to generate income for the church needs, funds raised through special events, campaigns and activities like bazaar etc.
• Physical Resources
  • Buildings and facilities like church auditoriums, community centres, halls, church vicarage etc

Equipment like musical instruments, sound systems, office and home equipment, power generating sets, vehicles etc.

• Human Resources
  • Leadership of the church are also the church resources. The Clergy and lay leaders who oversees the church mission, paid employees like the priests, maintenance workers, volunteers who contribute their time and skills for the church progress.
• Programmatic Resources
  • These are Ministries formed by the church focused on worship, outreaches, education (Schools, orphanages e.t.c.)
  • Educational materials like bibles, religious texts, curriculum and other teaching aids

What Are Church Investments?

• Church Investments are the financial assets and strategies that the church employs to help generate income, grow the resources and support the mission of the church.
• The goals of these investments are to ensure financial stability and sustainability for the church. Examples of church investments include but not limited to the following:
  • Endowment funds: Created to provide perpetual source of funds for the church operational use (payment of staff salaries, church maintenance, granting of scholarships e.t.c). However, only the interests and dividends of such funds are used. The capitals are allowed to grow and continue to yield income for the church.
  • Stock & Bonds: Churches may invest in diversified portfolio of stocks and bonds for capital appreciation and stability of income payments.
  • Mutual funds managed by professional fund managers on behalf of the church.
  • Real Estate Investments: Like properties for residential or commercial purposes to generate income for the church.
  • Land acquisition for future development.
• Socially Responsible Investments
  • Ethical investment, moral ethics and values that are in line with moral values of the church. This will involve avoiding investing with industries that contradicts the church s teachings e.g. alcohol, tobacco, gambling e.t.c
  • Certificates of Deposits and Savings Accounts – low risk investments with steady but modest returns.
  • Income generating activities – thrift shops established and run by the church, bookstores that generates incomes and serves the communities at the same time, cafeteria and tea/coffee shops etc.
  • Event hosting like renting church hall or open space for social events like weddings, birthday celebrations, conferences e.t.c
  • Prov 21:5 “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty”
  • This scripture highlights the value of careful planning and diligence in financial management.

Managing Church Resources & Investments

• Financial Management
• 1Cor 4:2 (NIV) “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful”
  • Budgeting: The church must create an annual budget that aligns with the church goals and priorities, forecasting incomes like tithes and offerings and outlining operational expenses like salaries and asset maintenance etc.
  • Accounting Practises: Implementing robust accounting practices using software and conducting regular checks and audits for transparency’ sake.
  • Expense Control: Putting in place strict expense control measures which includes approval process for expenditures
  • Identify cost saving opportunities and implement them.
• Luke 16: 10-11 (NIV) “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be honest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?”

 The above scripture stresses the importance of integrity and trustworthiness in financial management. We have to be aware that everything we collect as offerings, tithes etc, belongs to God and we are just privileged to be in charge. As worthy ambassadors of Christ and stewards, we need to be accountable for it.

• Property Management
• Col 3:23-24 (NIV) “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving”
  • Maintenance: Regular maintenance and upgrading of church properties to ensure safety e.g. professional routine inspection and timely repairs.

Utilization: Maximizing the use of church facilities e.g. renting them out for social gathering and community event activities. This will bring in additional income. Church buildings are one of the most under-utilized assets around the world.

• Expansion: Planning for expansion strategically to take advantage of future price rise especially in properties. This can be for expected or projected growing needs of the congregation.

1 Tim 3:5  (NIV) “If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God s church?”

This scripture draws a parallel between personal resource management and the responsibility of managing church properties, implying that good management practices should extend to church responsibilities.

• Human Resources Management
  • Staffing: Recruitment and management of church staff, ensuring they have the necessary skills and are properly trained, clear job descriptions and performance reviews.
  • Volunteer Management: Provide support and training for volunteers to ensure they can contribute significantly to church activities.
  • Leadership Development: Investing in leadership development programs for clergy and lay leaders to make the church leadership strong.
• Human Resources Management
  • Managing the human resources of the church includes treating them right, from the leaders right down to volunteers
    • Rom 12:10 (NIV) “ Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” This scripture encourages mutual respect and honour among all members of the church community.
    • James 5:4 (NIV) “Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who moved your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty” This scripture warns against unjust treatment of workers, emphasizing the need
    • Heb 13:17 (NIV) “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you” This scripture stresses the importance of supporting church leaders so that their work is joyful and not burdensome.
  • Program Evaluation
    • Alignment with the Mission of the Church: Managing this involves ensuring that all church programs align with the mission and goals of the church.
    • Program Evaluation: Regular evaluation of church programs to assess the effectiveness on the congregation and making adjustments when necessary.
  • Resource Allocation

Allocating resources to programs based on their impact and alignment with church priorities.

What Should the Church Consider In Managing the Resources?

• Alignment with the Vision and Mission of the Church – Any investment made must be in consonance with what the church stand for and her ethical values.
• Diversification – This will help manage the risk and achieve more stable returns.

Professional Management – The church should consider engaging financial advisors or form an investment committee from the church members who are skilled in financial and investment management.

• Transparency and Accountability – Regular reporting to the church Parish Council/Diocesan Board and also to the congregation in order to build trust.

Conclusion

Consciously and professionally managing church finances will enhance financial health, it will also enable the church to support their mission and be in perpetual continuity. If we can run our businesses right with all the ethics it deserves, managing the church assets should not be any different because we are working for a higher cause.

By adopting best practices in financial, property, and human resource management, engaging in innovative investment strategies, the church can enhance her ability to serve the communities better and ensure long-term sustainability. Regular evaluation and adaptation of these strategies will help meet evolving needs and challenges.

Closing

In closing, Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV) “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

This scripture encourages us to be diligent and wholehearted in undertaking our tasks in managing church assets. Everyone whether clergy, laity, church paid staff or volunteers will account for what God has bestowed on the church. Hagai 2:9 (NIV) “The silver is mine and the gold is mine; declares the Lord Almighty” everything belongs to God and we must manage them well.

Thank you