Finance 1. Why is the way that the church handles money important?

Introducing Stephen Mathews and Stewardship
Handling finance is a vital part of church life; it must be done with excellence and complete integrity. It is thus a great pleasure to have as a guest writer for this six-part series on Finance an old friend of mine, Stephen Mathews, who has been responsible for Stewardship’s accounting and consulting teams since 2004. Stephen has also been involved for many years in church leadership, primarily in Newfrontiers churches. (A fuller bio is at the end of this posting).

As well as absorbing carefully what Stephen writes I encourage you to look at the excellent resources (mostly free) at the end of each part.

The issue
Money, sex and power: Three of the most significant and enduring dangers facing churches, church leaders and those that carry the name of “Christians”. Jesus spoke extensively on all three topics with many of the New Testament letters addressing unhealthy situations caused by one of them. Still today, modern day media feast on churches where scandals and failures arise in these areas or where Christians seem to fall below the high standards of the gospel.

In this series of blogs we start with considering why it is important for churches to handle money well; and then explore what it takes to be a church which does that, and what this might look like in a church like yours.

Why so important?

1. The Power of Money

First, it is important because money is not ‘neutral’; it carries power and allurement. Jesus said “No one can serve two masters….you cannot serve both God and money.” Money is characterised as a rival god; a power seeking our worship and devotion.

He also said: “One’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” But for many of us in the Western world (individuals and churches alike) money is often used as a way of “keeping score” or feeding our insecurities.

With the love of money described as a “root of all kinds of evil” we need to confront the power of this rival god.

2. Raising the standard

Second, it is important because for a subject spoken of so openly in the Bible, churches are generally silent about money, except when they need it!

Are we:

  • Providing discipleship in generosity?
  • Calling for a radical heartfelt change in the way that we think about and handle money?
  • Understanding how money should flow through our churches for the benefit of others and the Kingdom?

Often, as churches, either we have grown comfortable in this silence no longer questioning ourselves or our attitudes towards money, or we speak too much in ways that do not reflect the full message of Jesus. We can and should raise this standard.

3. Leaky buckets

Third, it is important that our churches are not leaky buckets, allowing money to seep away in ways which:

  • Prevent us from being good stewards
  • Frustrate the mission
  • Alarm regulators
  • Demonstrate naivety or over control

Churches which administer money well are undoubtedly more effective.

4. Doing what is right

Fourth, in 2 Corinthians chapters 8 and 9 (the inspiration of this series) we read that we should do what is right in the sight of the Lord and also in the sight of man. Churches that handle money well are not only ‘safe’ but become beacons of good practice and a demonstration of the gospel.

Rewards
Churches which are able to handle money well will generally:

  • See engaged and discipled church members and supporters
  • Be able to fulfil the New Testament call to be generous and well resourced
  • Be operating with best practice in managing money
  • Be a church that is ‘good to give to’

Free linked resources:

Raising the Standard – transforming the culture of money in the church

Financial Health Check for Churches

Your Money and Your Life – an index of resources

Clipping the coin – reflections on tithing

An Index of Briefing Papers 

Training:

Seasons of Giving – Courses for small groups and churches

Training for Trustees

More about Stephen
Stephen operates as a Senior Consultant, Charity Accounting Services and has been responsible for Stewardship’s accounting and consulting teams since 2004.

Prior to joining Stewardship, Stephen spent over twenty five years working in the accounting profession. Initially he worked with one of the big international firms, then moved to a regional practice based in Sidcup. There he spent 18 years as the partner responsible for the not-for-profit sector and also for financial, taxation and general advice to a portfolio of owner managed and other businesses.

Stephen is a trustee for a number of Christian charities including New Ground Churches, and has been involved in church eldership in a number of Newfrontiers churches over the last 30 years. He is currently involved in a church plant, Emmanuel Church in New Cross, South East London.

What is Stewardship?
Stewardship is a Christian agency committed to strengthening Christian causes, by offering practical, tailored support to help Churches and Christian charities to transform the world.

They also making giving easy by helping over 25,000 individuals to give around £60 million each year, to a database of over 19,000 charitable causes.