Church Budgets

This is the time of year for the church I work at to finalize budgets and announce them to the rest of the church. We have been in the process with the budget since November and December, but the finance committee has finally presented their final to the congregation.

No matter how things go when a budget comes out someone is going to be upset. In our church, the most upset group that I know of is the missions group. They have worked for years to get a line item for missions into the church budget. Last year when the economy tanked, finance and church council worked to cut a lot, including the missions budget. In the end the church approved a $4,000 deficit to be able to have a budget for missions. As they say in Monty Python, there was much rejoicing.

This year there is a new struggle with this. At a meeting recently, one member discussed their displeasure at the missions budget coming out of the Memorials and Endowments. The concern is that this money is already given and the church itself is not taking an active roll in missions by not funding it out of the church budget.

I understand this concern as what a church chooses to fund shows where they put their priorities. Honestly, if a church wanted to hire me but had a lack luster budget (or none at all) for youth ministry I would walk away instantly as they are not truly invested. I find myself a little torn on the issue here.

The church needs to be funding mission. This shows their investment and dedication to what God has called us to. What is a church with out mission?

The flip side of this is what has me concerned though. The missions group might become too used to having a budget. The Catholic church describes stewardship as "Time, Talent, and Treasure." What having this budget could lead to (and I have started to see warning signs) is a group that does not consider the time and talent aspect. In addition they could become resigned to accept the budget as all the treasure necessary. Even worse a set line for missions could allow those within the group to feel as though they have given already.

The danger ends up in becoming lukewarm, satisfied, resigned, or lackadaisical. This could mean no more fund raising and raising awareness. No more seeking others for the need in the community. No more going the extra mile because there is a passion or need. No more donating, serving, or stretching ourselves. No more relying upon God for our needs and our support of others.

We have the tendency in the USA to pat ourselves on the back for giving money here or there. In my opinion the real needs is for us put faces to need and truly engage in community.

I hope and pray that our church does not fall into these traps. I pray that they can walk the tight rope between not allocating funds and resigning to be satisfied with just donating others money.