Smart Church Finances: A Pastor’s Guide to Budgets, Spreadsheets, and Other Things You Didn’t Learn in Seminary

by George M. Hillman Jr.; John Reece

Publisher:

Lexham Press

, 2020

What can the Church learn from the business world?

You’re a leader of a ministry, nonprofit, or church. You trained to be a faithful counselor, preacher, interpreter of God’s Word—so why do you find yourself spending so much energy on administration tasks that threaten to drain your time, energy, and joy?

Look to this book for the coaching you needed, yesterday. Written from years of ministry and business experience, Smart Church Finances is built on a solid foundation of business principles but—unlike many business books—in a straightforward style that anyone can grasp. You'll learn how to:

• Communicate vision and strategize with a team
• Steward resources well (yes, including budgeting)
• Prioritize goals, wisely make decisions, and evaluate outcomes based on vision and data
• Leverage the existing talents of men and women at your church, many of whom don't fit in “traditional” ministry roles

This field guide to building a holistic, sustainable system for your church will both help you address the business needs of your church and free your leaders to serve, fully and joyfully.

 

Praise for Smart Church Finances

This book is a must read for anyone in ministry regardless of their position.

—Dr. Aubrey Malphurs, Senior Professor of Leadership and Pastoral Ministries, Dallas Theological Seminary

An extraordinarily helpful and well written guide for every leader who wants to see their organization flourish.

—Dr. Mac Pier, Founder, Movement.org, Lausanne Co-Catalyst for Cities

An essential tool for ministerial leaders.

—Dr. Matthew Floding, Director of Ministerial Formation, Duke Divinity School

Contents

• Introduction
• Stewardship and Joy
• Mission and Vision Casting
• Strategic Planning
• Ministry Program Planning
• Stewarding Personnel Resources
• Stewarding Ministry Resources and Facilities
• Funding Ministry Programs
• Measuring Success
• Reporting the Data and Forecasting
• Engaging Business Leaders

Product Details

• Title: Smart Church Finances: A Pastor’s Guide to Budgets, Spreadsheets, and Other Things You Didn’t Learn in Seminary
• Author: George M. Hillman Jr. and John Reece
• Publisher: Lexham Press
• Publication Date: 2020
• Pages: 160
• Format: Logos Digital, Paperback
• Trim Size: 5x8
• ISBN: 9781683593744

About the Authors

George M. Hillman, Jr. is the vice president for student life, dean of students, and professor of educational ministries and leadership at Dallas Theological Seminary. He also has years of pastoral experience in churches and parachurch organizations. A graduate of Texas A&M University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, he has a passion for education, spiritual formation, and leadership development.

John Reece is a business leader with a calling to serve ministries and nonprofits. He runs WayQuest, a consulting firm that helps organizations be free from business distractions to accomplish their mission and purpose. He has also served on multiple boards of nonprofits and ministries and has experience in enhancing business strategy and operations in over fifteen different industry sectors. He holds an MBA in Finance and International Business from New York University.

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