Just finished reading "The New Context for Ministry: Competing for the Charitable Dollar" by Lyle Schaller. He wrote this at the end of 2001 and it was published in early 2002. In the book, especially in the last handful of chapters he makes some predications about the future of church economics. It is uncanny how accurate he was and is.
Schaller gives all churches (and non-profits) a warning shot across the bow about the way they've always done church finances versus the new economy and how they need to re-shape their church's finances. It is also hard to acknowledge that the church is not prepared for the future. What is worse, is that no one seems concerned about the future enough to do anything about it.
About once a year someone pulls the fire alarm in my church. It is always a false alarm. Everyone knows it is a false alarm. So, no one moves the exit; no one gets the kids out of the building; no one runs to investigate the source of the alarm. In this book, Schaller is pulling the fire alarm for churches because there is a real fire. Unfortunately, churches believe that "God will provide" the financial resources they need. Well, God will but the church must actively work and search for it.
I recommend the book (even though it is not particularly readable) with an emphasis on his recommendations at the end of the book.
Lead On!
Steve
Showing posts with label Future. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Future. Show all posts
Friday, May 7, 2010
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Change the Future
This morning I made a presentation to the church's strategy council. Actually, the church treasurer, church finance committee chair, and I made the presentation. I'm deeply grateful to them for making the time and having the passion for this presentation; I also appreciate the pastor inviting us to make the presentation.
What I said is that I view the three of us as the proverbial canaries in the coal mine - we're not shouting fire in a crowded theater but we are warning our colleagues and friends about the future of the church's finances.
My worst-case scenario is that in ten years we'll look back at 2006, 2007, and 2008 as the golden years. In ten years, at the present rate, we will have closed some of our ministries and laid off several staff. In ten years we'll begin survival mode.
Unless we increase the conversation about money things will get worse. We need to talk about tithing, stewardship and generosity on a regular basis from the pulpit, our website, and our written pieces. We also need to open up the ways that people who already want to give to us can give to us. We've put in barriers so that people can't give to us - shame!
Within two years we need to increase our revenues by $1 million (a 30% increase) in order just to sustain what we are currently doing. If we want to fund the dreams of the future, then we have to receive even more income. Let's talk about money - anytime you talk about something, two things will happen. Those who don't like what you're saying will leave and those who do like it will step up to the plate. If you don't talk about it, you're ignoring the gorilla in the room.
We have a very good church with very good leaders. But great dreams need great leadership. My request to my colleagues and fellow church members is that all of us need to step up our leadership. Yes, we will get shot at, but that is leadership - just ask the President of the US. We need to look beyond our past and gaze at our future. We need to set our sights on how we can lead (and fund) this church to greatness.
Lead On!
Steve
What I said is that I view the three of us as the proverbial canaries in the coal mine - we're not shouting fire in a crowded theater but we are warning our colleagues and friends about the future of the church's finances.
My worst-case scenario is that in ten years we'll look back at 2006, 2007, and 2008 as the golden years. In ten years, at the present rate, we will have closed some of our ministries and laid off several staff. In ten years we'll begin survival mode.
Unless we increase the conversation about money things will get worse. We need to talk about tithing, stewardship and generosity on a regular basis from the pulpit, our website, and our written pieces. We also need to open up the ways that people who already want to give to us can give to us. We've put in barriers so that people can't give to us - shame!
Within two years we need to increase our revenues by $1 million (a 30% increase) in order just to sustain what we are currently doing. If we want to fund the dreams of the future, then we have to receive even more income. Let's talk about money - anytime you talk about something, two things will happen. Those who don't like what you're saying will leave and those who do like it will step up to the plate. If you don't talk about it, you're ignoring the gorilla in the room.
We have a very good church with very good leaders. But great dreams need great leadership. My request to my colleagues and fellow church members is that all of us need to step up our leadership. Yes, we will get shot at, but that is leadership - just ask the President of the US. We need to look beyond our past and gaze at our future. We need to set our sights on how we can lead (and fund) this church to greatness.
Lead On!
Steve
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