This book will help seminary students and ministers with no training in accounting to expand their core management competency and church leadership skills to include basic issues of finance and accounting. It will also provide pastors/ministers with financial management orientation to become better leaders/managers of their churches and organizations. Specifically, this book is designed to bring pastors, ministers, and seminary students up to speed in the language of accounting and money in contemporary American society. It gives them practical resources for effective (not hands-on) management of church finances. Among others, it will offer training on basic accounting and budgeting, reading of financial reports, and elementary tax and legal issues in order to develop pastors'/students' core competency in stewardship leadership. After going through this book, most students and pastors should be able to read, exegete, and make sense of the financial reports that will be given to them by church accountants (treasurers, finance committees). This book helps pastors to understand and interpret the accounting and monetary issues of their ministries in a professional and theologically sound way.

Money Matters in Church helps leaders to discover a one-stop, comprehensive model for managing finances and fundraising. It guides leaders of any size church or ministry to create a culture of giving that supports savvy, faithful, and legal financing. The authors present a biblical theology of stewardship that supports ways to develop donors and maximize contributions, enact a strategic budget and effective audit process, project income and expenses, work with banks, compensate staff, and address debt. The book's practical step-by-step approach makes finance issues understandable for leaders without a business background.

The Church Money Manual is the most up-to-date and easy-to-use handbook for churches seeking better ways to manage finances. Brief and straightforward chapters each focus on a specific problem or issue. The book covers topics of day-to-day operation and the perennially critical themes related to church money management and stewardship. Some examples include: · Planned giving and endowment funds. · Strategies to increase end-of-year giving. · First steps for the newly-appointed pastor. · Pastors’ knowledge of donors and giving in their church. · Timing of building projects and capital campaigns. · Special offerings. · Selecting members for the finance committee. · What to do when giving is down. · Preaching about tithing.

Frank, straightforward guidance for clergy seeking to develop a sound theology of money and skills for church administration, Ministry and Money also puts forth a new strategy for self-care, and a confident approach to managing both personal and congregational finances. Dan Hotchkiss wants to help clergy overcome their own anxieties about money matters so they can help others address the personal, social, and congregational aspects of this challenging and often difficult topic.

How can growing churches develop a financial framework that will enhance their mission? The declining trends in religious belief and practice in twenty-first-century America are well documented, but they mask the vitality and growth experienced by many individual congregations. Unfortunately, leaders of these growing churches sometimes lack a firm grasp on what’s required for their church to maintain financial equilibrium. This is true for newly formed congregations as well as established churches. This book, which does not assume readers’ familiarity with principles of accounting or finance, will help facilitate constructive conversations between clergy and lay leaders on money matters. By describing in everyday language some of the practical issues that promote (or erode) financial sustainability, this book will remove the mystery and frustration faith communities often experience when discussing their financial challenges. What activities within the organization’s control promote long-term financial sustainability? The answers create a framework that is a prerequisite for meeting any church’s missional objectives over the long run.

The God vs. Money Participant Guide and DVD (ISBN 9781501891571) provide a process for applying key principles from the main book, God vs. Money (ISBN 9781501868115), in the participant’s own ministry context. This study is for leaders in churches and other ministry settings who have responsibility for capital campaigns, budgets, stewardship, planned giving, and other financial concerns. The typical study groups include finance committees, stewardship teams, foundation boards, and finance-related staff teams. The study is also recommended for continuing education of pastors and other church leaders. A copy of the main book (God vs. Money, ISBN 9781501868115) is required for each participant and a copy of the DVD (ISBN 9781501891571) is required for each group. Prior to each group session, participants should read a section of the book. Sessions start with a 7-10 minute video featuring Clif Christopher. Using the Guide, participants completes a variety of activities focused on application of key points from the prescribed reading. This may include discussion questions, personal reflection, group problem-solving activities, and other actions. The Guide serves as a workbook, giving each participant a place to record their thoughts and insights from the group, and to plan next steps.

Is your church vulnerable to fraud?One-third of all congregations experience theft, but researchers estimate 80 percent of cases go unreported and expect church financial fraud to reach $60 billion by 2025. Those are staggering statistics, but sadly this is a common problem that most church leadership prefer to ignore. "Not in our fellowship," they resolutely affirm. However, no individual is immune to temptation and studies show that the number one deterrent is fear of getting caught. The vast majority (87%) of the perpetrators have never been charged with fraud or embezzlement before.Pastors, elders, and trustees have an obligation to safeguard their ministry and shepherd the flock. This includes practices and procedures that prevent an easy stumble down the slippery slope of creative bookkeeping and skimming the church offering. Preventing Fraud in Church Accounting is a quick read for busy leadership. It exposes the problem and outlines the basics of the solution, including options for taking action. It's the perfect primer to educate the senior pastor or the young volunteer. It even includes a free confidential analysis of your church's financial status quo.The first step to a solution is knowledge, but the education process can seem overwhelming. Not with this short book. It can be read together in one committee meeting and will guide leadership to:* Examine two major problems with pastors functioning as Chief Financial Officer* Recognize three categories of fraud and how they apply to churches and nonprofits* Learn the types of internal controls that will decrease the risk of theft* Understand how the budget creation and review process creates accountability for ministry leaders* Explore what a full accounting plan of formal financial processes and reports entailsPastors, board members, treasurers, and anyone concerned about the safety of their ministry and mission can't afford to NOT read this book.