Kids

Adam Flynt is the Family Ministry Director at Access Church in Jacksonville, Florida. Access Church is a strategic partner of North Point Ministries. We’ve asked Adam to share a series about the budgeting process and what he’s learned along the way as they’ve started Access Church from scratch. We know that this process can look very different when you are first starting out, but as I read his information, I knew that these principles were helpful no matter where you are at in ministry. For more great insight, you should check out Adam’s blog at www.orangefamilies.com or follow him on Twitter.

Check out Part 1 for discussion about why budgets matter.

Does your budgeting process support your mission, vision, and plans?

Most churches do their budgets based on some combination of past experience and future expectations.  This means that when you budget, you probably are given past budgets and asked to draw up the next year’s budget using it.  This can be helpful.  But don’t let the system determine the ministry.

Here is a Step-By-Step Budgeting Process:

Evaluate: Begin with an evaluation meeting.  Take a green highlighter to items that were successful and where you feel that money was well spent.  Take a red highlighter to things that were wasteful or poorly done.  Be honest.

Plan: Before any numbers go on line items, meet for strategic planning.  Start with broad, general ideas and work towards a schedule.  Discuss general vision and expectations.  Table finalizing details for later.

Dollar Dreaming: Dream about what could be spent to implement your plans if past budgets weren’t a factor (“zero-based budgeting”).  This doesn’t mean be frivolous, but consider what you would do if there was no history.  Frugal teammates, don’t kill the dreaming now.

Outside Eyes: Seek wise counsel.  Ask your manager to review your plans first and the budget implications second.  It’s healthy to have to justify your choices.   Be prepared to get plans approved, but not your dream budget.

Trim: If you get what you asked for, praise God.  If not, then ask how to be faithful to what God is calling you to do, given the recent feedback.

Finalize: Now you can take your revised plans back for a final approval.  If you are still outside the previously given parameters, be prepared to give a really convincing sales pitch.  You don’t want to keep coming back asking for more and being turned down.  But don’t be afraid to pursue something you feel is from God.  In the end, know God can work beyond budgets.

Keep an eye out for Part 3.  We’ll look at a sample budget, helpful hints, and often forgotten budget items.

Post written by:  Adam Flynt - Family Ministry Pastor - Access Church