It is critical for the church leaders to develop and follow a budget and obtain approval of the majority of church members so that they are committed to the needed donations to fund the church’s expenses.Av Copland Financial Ministries

So when the debt goes up, the giving goes down however once we help them to learn and implement biblical financial principles which includes developing and following a budget to make sure they spend less than they earn each month and have a surplus, then generally the giving will increase.Av Copland Financial Ministries

Dishonesty and deception by church leaders is incredibly destructive to the work of ChristAv Copland Financial Ministries

To learn more watch my 3 TV programs on the topic “God’s financial wisdom for churches and church leaders” available from coplandfinancialministers.org.Av Copland Financial Ministries

I attended a church several years ago that had a very generous benevolent fund. It was just awesome the number of people that they could help.Av Copland Financial Ministries

Churches and parachurch organizations need to have a good administrator who issues the donation receipts on a timely basis.Av Copland Financial Ministries

Some church leaders communicate little or in some cases almost nothing about the church finances to their congregation.Av Copland Financial Ministries

Assess an individual’s management of money before they assume a position that involves money management in the church.Av Copland Financial Ministries

They praised God because by studying the Scriptures and discerning God’s will the church did not have to borrow any money! What a testimony for the Lord!.Av Copland Financial Ministries

Here are some biblical guidelines for church leaders to follow in order to discern God’s specific will regarding church financesAv Copland Financial Ministries

As you pray and read God’s word, document what you sense the Lord is saying and look for consistency from several sources including scriptures, biblical counsel, prayer, agreement with other board members etc.Av Copland Financial Ministries

God may not speak to you audibly but he can speak to your heart and your mind through his Holy Spirit and through his word.Av Copland Financial Ministries

Is it not reasonable then for leaders and members of the church to trust God to meet their needs rather than relying on bank loans or mortgages?Av Copland Financial Ministries

If your church already has some debt, then make it a priority to pay off the debt.Av Copland Financial Ministries

Although it’s best to do a building expansion without debt, it is not wrong for a church to borrow money.Av Copland Financial Ministries

He and his wife applied the biblical principles and they became debt-free within a few years.Av Copland Financial Ministries

In an unusual way, God orchestrated the leadership of both churches to meet, and very quickly, they decided to merge their congregations.Av Copland Financial Ministries

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Some church leaders have grandiose plans of how they want to expand the ministry or the church building and if God has not provided the revenue that’s needed, then they will incur the expenditure anyhow and put the church into financial difficulty or they will “step out in faith” and borrow the money.…

In the same way that an individual may spend money on “wants and desires” that are not needs, church leadership can do the same.Av Copland Financial Ministries

Jesus said. “So do not worry, saying what shall we eat? Or what shall we drink? Or what shall we wear?... Your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.” [Matthew 6:31-33]. according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus”. God promised to meet needs…

The guideline provided in Scripture is to give 10% and a church’s “tithe” to the Lord is to give about 10% of its income to missions.Av Copland Financial Ministries

It doesn’t say that God and the bank will meet our needs but rather God will meet our needs”.Av Copland Financial Ministries

How can a local church become a light into the world of darkness?Av Copland Financial Ministries

it is not a sin for a church to borrow money, it’s only a sin to borrow and not repay [Psalms 37:21]. But the emphasis in Scripture is towards minimal debt.Av Copland Financial Ministries

I would suggest 2 months’ worth of expenses as a reasonable level of savings, and very few churches or parachurch organizations have that.Av Copland Financial Ministries

Given that most church leaders have not completed an in-depth biblical study of God’s word on financesAv Copland Financial Ministries

If you and your church leaders have prayed, read God’s word on finances, and if you believe that God wants your church to take on a mortgage with respect to a building expansionAv Copland Financial Ministries

Often there are options within the biblical principles with respect to making church financial decisions. Here are some common ways that God can direct us.Av Copland Financial Ministries

Since they are unknowingly violating God’s financial principles in their personal finances, it is no surprise that they would do the same with the church finances.Av Copland Financial Ministries

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