What's happening with church budgets and personnel expenses in a post-pandemic world?

This spring, I traveled several times to the small southern Oregon town where I grew up to assist my parents with selling the home they built and lived in for over 60 years. It was a bittersweet day when the house and property on Goode Lane in Prospect transferred to new owners. As the ink dried on the closing documents, a chapter closed for my parents and our entire family.

Over the years, I have driven the road between Salem and Prospect more times than I can count. The season of the year and weather conditions dictated which route I'd take. The fastest was 1-5 south to the Canyonville exit, then 54 miles of narrow winding two-lane road following the South Umpqua River until reaching Hwy 62, where we would turn east and travel 22 miles to my parents home. The most beautiful route was over OR-58 to US-97 S and then up OR-138 W toward Diamond Lake, connecting with OR-62 and on to Prospect.

With each trip to the same location, a person becomes acquainted with everything from road conditions and signs to stretches of highway where you are wise to pay attention to the speed limit. The route becomes like an old friend. You know where you are going and what to expect along the way.

A financial budget serves in much the same way. Year after year, revenue and expense patterns develop, allowing you to project income streams and expenditure needs. Instead of shooting from the hip, the budget becomes an itinerary that allows leadership to prioritize and maximize the funds that God's people provide for God's purposes. In this way, the budget becomes like an old friend, helping to advance God's mission in your community and worldwide effectively.

The attached article, offers insight and advice for developing a church budget. I trust it helps you as you strive to maximize your resources for the sake of God's Kingdom. https://baptistnews.com/article/whats-happening-with-church-budgets-and-personnel-expenses-in-a-post-pandemic-world/

Boyd Powers, D.Min.
Lead Pastor of Administration & Missions