Thread by @Bezner

And now a word about church finances: I see a great deal these days on social media bemoaning how churches don't spend enough of their money to help those who are marginalized or hurting or...[fill in the blank]. And while *some* of that criticism is justified, plenty isn't.

As someone who agonizes over a church budget every single year, there is never a situation in which a church feels it is able to help fund every just cause at the level they would like to do so. Ever. The needs are simply too great. I am asked almost every week for funding.

Since taking on @HNWChurch, here are a few of the causes/ministries that have asked for financial help:

Local poverty care (food pantries, clothing, etc.)
Foster care
Orphanages/Childrens' homes
Church planting
International religious freedom/persecution
Prison/jail ministry

Inner city missions
Seminaries
Theological training for pastors in remote global locations
Refugee care in war zones
Disaster relief help (wildfires, floods, hurricanes)
Congregational benevolence
Between job ministries
Addiction services
Counseling services
Abuse shelters

Immigration law help
Racial reconciliation
Multi-faith work
Community building (both local, national, and global)
Coaching for other pastors
Prayer ministries
Writing ministries
Halfway houses for those transitioning out of prison
Annuities for rural pastors

I could keep going.

Every single one of these ministries is vetted and completely justified.

EVERY. SINGLE. ONE.

And I want to give money to every single one of them.

BUT...

There are also needs within the congregation.

It costs money to have a building. It costs money to have a pastoral staff.

AH HA! The evil buildings and staff! They are giant money holes!

Sure, they *can* be. But ask any pastor who doesn't have a place from which to do ministry, and, if they are honest, they will tell you that they desperately want one. Buildings are a terrific tool. But expensive.

Well then, what about those greedy large church pastors? First things first: I make a great living, and I'm very grateful for the salary I have. But this is the first pastoral salary I've had where my wife didn't have to work for us to make ends meet. Most pastors live that way.

There are countless bi-vocational pastors (been there) doing hard unseen work, and there are tons of "full-time" pastors who could be making a heckuva lot more in the private sector but have opted for less so that they can serve in a church.

WELL THEN, WHY DON'T YOU JUST CUT SOME OF THAT EXTRA STAFF?

Funny thing about that: To reach students, it helps to have someone focused on that task. To reach kids, the same thing. Are there churches that are bloated and overstaffed? Sure. But most I know work hard to be wise.

Most anytime we have a staff vacancy, the first question we ask is simple: Do we need to rehire this position? Can we reshuffle tasks and make our staff and salaries leaner? Why do we do this? So we can use more money for ministry.

BUT ONLY OURSELVES, RIGHT?!?

Um, no. While places like @leadnet would categorize Student and Children's Ministry as "internal," they are doing a TON in the community. Same with most every ministry in the church. And, if we're honest, the same with pastoral salaries. And, if we're honest, the building, too.

Meaning: Pastors and ministries and buildings may spend a lot of time doing internal shepherding of a church, but they do a TON of stuff in the community, as well. Buildings are used, programs are hosted, events are coordinated, and community efforts are led.

Anytime I see someone casting stones at local churches for not doing enough with their money in the community, I know something right away: Those people don't have a clue.

Likely reality: Churches are doing the most good in your city. Why? Because there is a ton of them.

Sure, there are exceptions. And people love to point them out. They love to scream Osteen and Jeffress at the top of their lungs. But even those churches do great work in the community. Could they do more? Sure. But they don't only focus on themselves.

Flip side? There are TONS of churches that are doing TONS of good all across the nation. And it's coming straight from the pocketbooks of the people in the pews.

Speaking of that...you want to know why some of those things don't show up in more church budgets? Because things like "Hurricanes" and "Wildfires" aren't line items in most church budgets. So what do churches do? They take up a special offering. And they send that money away.

Special offerings don't show up in church budgets. Neither does benevolence ministry (helping locals in need). Neither does the immigrant who starts coming to church and needs a job or a lawyer. Why? Because people fund it organically within the community.

Oh, AND THEY DON'T TALK ABOUT IT. They don't post it on social media (unless their pastor gets riled, like I am right now). They just quietly take up a collection and give it to the person in need. Or the cause. Why? Because it's not for the budget. And it's not for you to know.

Guess what? Those same people will still give to the church's ministry. And to the new building fund. And to little Susie's school fundraiser. And to the adoption agency. And their cousin's church plant. And the Salvation Army. Because Christians are generous.

So before you categorize evangelicals as "hegemonic" or "colonialist" or "heartless" (which they certainly can be), you might also know that they tend to be good people trying their best to do good things in the name of Jesus.

And that includes the way they treat church finance.

So, sure, we can always do better. We can always shave some money here or there. But the pastors and the buildings are there to serve and reach the community. And there is a TON of need. A TON. And we are trying hard to wrap our arms around it as best we can.

Just something to think about before you make a categorical statement regarding how churches (in general) and pastors (in general) manage their congregations' finances.

That'll do for now. Saw some things out there tonight implying that churches are selfish with their dollars, and, honestly, I just don't think that's the case (generally).

Good night.