Anna Hardy, our Diocesan Giving Advisor writes:
Let’s change the way we think about church finance.
“The theme of multiplication runs throughout the Bible. What cannot be achieved by addition, God does by multiplication. You reap what you sow, only many times more. What you give to the Lord, he multiplies.” Day 55 The Bible in One Year
In the last edition of Faith, Finance and Fundraising, we pondered if all modern-day charity regulations are rooted in biblical principles.
Where the Charity Commission tells us to have a reserves policy in place, in Matthew 25, Jesus tells the Parable of the Talents, where the servant is scolded for burying the talent in the ground, instead of putting it to work to multiply its value. This is effectively the same thing! We must not hold on to funds but instead put them to work.
As we look ahead to church finances for 2026, I would encourage you to take a fresh look at the way we budget and forecast.
Rather than looking at the funds you expect to receive and budgeting according to that, begin by looking at what your church needs – not just to survive, but to thrive. Be ambitious!
Start with your known expenditure. Include 100% of the share contribution (not the amount you think you can afford), staffing costs, utilities and insurance, and an amount required for building works.
Then, crucially, include additional budget to help you invest in ministry in your church. This is your budget for Making Jesus Known. Perhaps you might give a Christmas book to every toddler, a Bible for school leavers, a free Christmas lunch, a bookmark for every visitor, an advertisement or flyers through every door.
Leave nothing out. Assume nothing is unattainable.
Next, look at the income you can count on. This will be based on what you raised last year. Now the shortfall is identified.
This is where the fundraising comes in.
What can we do to raise the difference? It might be a combination of small changes: use of QR codes, applying for grants, an extra community event, and a local appeal. A stewardship review or Gift Day.
“God is able to do a lot with a very small amount. Whatever you give to God, he multiplies.”
I am keen to reassure all treasurers; it is not on your shoulders to fundraise, or even to suggest ways to fundraise. Your role is to alert others to the financial health of the church, so that everyone can contribute ways to raise the funds we need. But please do also encourage big thinking and a challenging target! It’s far more exciting to fundraise for a vision than a shortfall.
If you would like to talk through your finances, to look at forecasting and fundraising together, please do get in touch.
Anna Hardy – Giving Advisor: anna.hardy@salisbury.anglican.org