Rural Church Renewal

Pastor, Are You Misusing Church Funds Unaware?

• TJ Freeman & Joe Wagner • Episode 39

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In this episode we discuss...

  • responsible financial stewardship in the rural church!
    • Fraud can happen without you knowing it!
      • Most pastors and church leaders have NO intention of hurting the Church.
      • We think there is a way that a lot of rural pastors are misusing church funds without even realizing it.
        • Many rural pastors are overworked. Pastoral ministry is demanding.
        • What if we told you that instead of being overworked and underpaid, you are actually overworking and overpaid?
      • THEORY: Pastors should focus most of their time doing what only pastors can do!
        • If you’re getting paid a pastors salary to create, print, and stuff the bulletins, or clean the sanctuary, or put lyrics into the computer, or check the mail and pay the bills - you are being overpaid!
        • Now, we're not suggesting that any of those things are beneath you.
        • But, as part of your regular routine, you should be spending the majority of your time doing the things that God has instructed, qualified, and called what ONLY elders or pastors can do.
    • What does Scripture say?
      • 1 Peter 5:2-3 (1-14)
      • Acts 20:28
      • 2 Timothy 4:2
      • 1 Timothy 5:17
      • Hebrews 13:17
      • Ephesians 4:12
      • Titus 1:9
      • Acts 6:1-6
    • Arguments against?
      • We hardly have enough to pay our pastor as it is!
      • Nobody is willing to help.
      • I’m too busy to train anyone. It’s easier to just do all the work.
    • The real problem.
      • Pride in doing a ton.
      • More comfortable doing things they can see making an instant impact.
      • Haven’t thought carefully about what Scripture calls to do.
      • Too proud to ask for help.
      • Trying to please men instead of God.
         
      • Don’t know what to do.
    • What can you do?
      • Pray
      • Repent if necessary.
      • Log your hours.
      • Make a list: what can someone else do?
      • Make a job description.
      • Talk to your leaders.
      • Talk to the congregation.
      • Hire a non-paid admin assistant OR
      • since a laborer is worth his wages, trim the budget somewhere else, or start a small savings line item to hire a very part-time person to do some of the basics.
        • Have a bigger vision for the position than what you can hire.   Start small, but build in ways for it to grow.

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