7 Fresh Ways for Every Church Leader to Think About Money

from Carey Nieuwhof

If you’re going to be effective in ministry, you have to become comfortable talking about money. So how do you talk about money? And why should you talk about this subject so many leaders avoid?

Here are 7 ways to have the conversation.

1. You need to talk about money because the people you lead talk about it every day.

   Think about it. Do you know a person who doesn’t talk about money in some way every day? There’s hardly a family in your church or community that doesn’t have a daily dialogue about money. People talk about it, argue about it, and try to make their plans around it. And they do it in a theological vacuum because few church leaders will talk about it. Unless, of course, those church leaders need money. And then you miss most of the conversation.

2. Talking about how to deal with money is pastoral care.

   Could it be that your reluctance to talk about money is costing people their marriages? Reports continue to show that money issues are a top reason families break up. If you won’t help people figure out how to handle their personal finances, who will? And the scripture is packed with practical advice and missional claim on personal finances that can literally change people’s lives. Why hold out on people? Who will bring them help or hope if you don’t?

3. What you do for people is as important as what you ask from them.

   This isn’t just about your needs in ministry. When we think about our future as a church, we help people think about their future. We want people to “live with margin and live on mission.”

4. Understand that when you talk about money, you are attacking a big idol.

   If the world (and church) have an idol, money is a prime candidate. So know you’re going to get pushback when you address it. But if you help people with their finances as a ministry and steward the money received appropriately, you will help break the power of an idol in our culture and church. Just make sure that in the process of attacking an idol, money doesn’t become your idol.

5. People want to be generous; they just don’t know how.

   When you can’t make your minimum credit card payments, even a $20 donation to the food bank seems out of reach. When you help people get their finances in order, generosity can get unleashed. And more people want to be generous than you think. They just need help to be able to get there.

6. Your vision and stewardship needs to be worth the sacrifice people make.

   When people give, you receive a trust both from people and God. You need to steward and manage the money well. Things like a third-party independent annual audit (which is expensive, but worth it) should be the norm. And your vision and mission need to be compelling and up to the challenge. People don’t give to uninspiring visions.

7. Unchurched people are more open to conversations on money than you realize

   Because most of our growth comes from unchurched people, I hear this all the time: “But what about unchurched people? Don’t they cringe when churches talk about money?” Sure, sometimes. But see points 1-3 above. They’re open if you will help live with margin and live on mission.