Summer 2014
The theme for Summer 2014 is “Money Matters.”
Insights from the Faith-Based Retirement Plan Survey™
The results of the 2013 Faith-Based Retirement Plan Survey™, sponsored by Envoy Financial and Christian Leadership Alliance, are in! The final report reveals common concerns, best practices, and issues impacting ministers, missionaries, and faith-based ministries in general.
Independent churches, parachurch organizations, mission-sending ministries, and denominations were the f...
ECFA's Dan Busby shares insights.
As president of ECFA, Dan Busby is out to help churches and Christ-centered organizations operate with sound financial practices. ECFA offers accreditation for organizations that meet the ECFA (ecfa.org) standards. Outcomes spoke with Busby about the importance of wise financial stewardship for Christian ministries.
How does accreditation with ECFA help ministries excel in terms of sound fin...
Transforming our roles
If you are anything like me, when you think about entering Jesus’ presence in heaven, I am sure you desire to hear what he said to the trustworthy stewards in the parable of the talents, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matt. 25:21). Have you ever thought about what Jesus would say to you when he examines how you handled the leadership responsibilities he entrusted to you?
Jesus taught the para...
Equipping employees in personal finance
We love to use the word stewardship; it connotes a biblical vision for how we manage the resources of our organizations in a God-honoring way. As leaders in the religious world, much of our work depends on the generosity of donors and the careful management of legacy funds and endowments. We have faith and hope in a God-held future, and we take seriously our responsibility to manage what we have today so God can multiply i...
This generation can change everything for your ministry.
When it comes to giving generously, not a lot has changed in the past century. For example, according to John and Sylvia Ronsvalle in The State of Church Giving through 2011 (23rd edition, 2013) in 1921, for every $100 earned, the typical Christian in the U.S. gave away $2.90. In 2011, for every $100 earned, the typical Christian gave away $2.32 — $1.98 to the church, $0.34 to causes outside...
Four ways to strengthen your ministry
Being responsible for the accounting and financial operations of a ministry is no small task. While the glory lies with the programs and direct ministry, the support roles of an organization are equally important. Without them, none of the programs and ministry could happen.
The fifth module in the Financial Management track of the CLA Online Academy, for which I serve as content contributor, is called “Big ...
Lessons in giving learned early in life
When I was boy growing up in Wichita Falls, Texas, my siblings and I would often ride our Big Wheels across our driveway, down the sidewalk, and up to the front porch of our next-door neighbors’ house. We were allowed to open the brass mail slot in their front door and if we smelled fresh baked cookies, we knew we could knock, go in, and have some. To this day, I remember how much we loved those cookies! And as you m...
Why "skin in the game" is vital
Fundraising at Redeemer Seminary in Dallas is a team effort. President Steve Vanderhill shares, “I see myself setting the school’s vision, articulating its mission, gathering resources, and coordinating personnel.” Redeemer trustees sign a ministry covenant agreeing to “introduce, invite, and encourage” others to support the seminary. They pray, share their wisdom, communicate the vision wit...
Your finance team can accelerate ministry!
When I evaluate people for openings on my team, I place a premium on character.
“Wow! I am not used to that kind of acceleration and power … ,” I muttered to myself in my empty rental car on a recent business trip. My “sports car” rental provided a much different driving experience than my four-cylinder economy car back home. Normally, when I step on the gas in my...
Great insights on Christian leadership, money matters, and more!
Mission Drift: The Unspoken Crisis Facing Leaders, Charities, and Churches
By Peter Greer and Chris Horst (Bethany House Publishers, 2014)
Too often, as Christian organizations grow, the gospel often becomes cursory, expendable, or even forgotten. Often, leaders have watched their ministries, businesses, and nonprofits professionalize, expand, a...