Our church is currently in the budget cycle as we seek the Lord's direction for our role in the Kingdom for 2007. Budgeting may seem worldly and lacking in faith, but it can be an exercise in wisdom, discernment and leadership which are all admonished in Scripture.
Here are some personal guidelines that I am challenging some our leaders to consider.
My personal opinion is that activities designed to minister to the needs of people outside of the Body of Christ [evangelism & outreach] should be underwritten by those within the Body of Christ – MT 10:8.
Matthew 10:8 …Freely you received, freely give.
I think that we need to honor leadership by underwriting supplies and training [equipping] so that it does not cost more financially to be a leader than to be a participant (the leader is already donating time and expertise) – 1 Tim 5:17 & Gal 6:6.
1 Tim 5:17 "Elders who provide effective leadership must be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard in speaking and teaching."
Galatians 6:6 "Now the one who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with the one who teaches it."
Fellowship and growth events [building] should be self-funding – Acts 4:32. (participants “share” by giving of tithes & offerings which are used to provide facilities, hospitality supplies, administrative & publicity needs.) Part of “having in common” is providing scholarships for those who cannot afford an activity.
Acts 4:32 The group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, and no one said that any of his possessions was his own, but everything was held in common.
I realize that people with different passions would set different priorities, but my perspective is that priority in allocating resources should be given to outreach, leadership resources and scholarships and that those who benefit from an activity should bear the costs of it.
What do you think?
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