Church Finances for Missional Leaders: Best Practices for Faithful Stewardship

Build a solid financial foundation for your congregation’s mission. Every congregation, regardless of size, needs a solid foundation in financial stewardship to fulfill its mission. Church Finances for Missional Leaders provides pastors, treasurers, trustees, and finance and stewardship committees with the practical tools and biblical wisdom necessary to manage church resources faithfully and effectively. This comprehensive guide interprets financial vocabulary and walks you through essential topics, including budget creation, financial sustainability, the strategic role of reserves, and the vital connection between personal and congregational stewardship. You’ll discover proven methods for communicating financial needs, generating resources for mission work, planning and projecting income, and developing effective strategies for campaigns and appeals, as well as for managing risk and liability. Filled with worksheets, sample policies, and actionable guidance, this resource equips church leaders to lead with confidence. Endorsed by respected voices in stewardship ministry, this book reminds us that faithful financial leadership isn’t just about numbers; it’s about advancing God’s work through wise and generous stewardship. An essential resource for every church leader’s library.

Bonnie Ives Mardenis a leadership consultant and financial stewardship practitioner. Providing stewardship education through multiple United Methodist Foundations, she also served as the Imagine No Malaria Campaign Coordinator for the New England Conference of The United Methodist Church.