Church Giving Matters: More Money Really Does Mean More Ministry

There is a wide gap between how pastors are trained and what churches expect of them. Pastors are trained to preach, while congregations expect them to manage a complex, non-profit organization, measuring their success by the people in the pews and the dollars in the plate. On top of that, the ever-increasing complexity of local church ministry is demanding more money while the rules of funding ministry are changing, leaving many pastors feeling uncomfortable, unprepared, and overwhelmed. Ben Stroup understands this dilemma well. While serving as pastor of a small, rural congregation that grappled with a changing community and the need to build a more sustainable funding model, he sought in vain for a resource to help manage the tension between balancing money and ministry. Building on his church staff and business experience, Ben has effectually translated non-profit development strategies and techniques into the language and practice of the local church. With practical tools and effective leadership principles that can be immediately implemented, he assists churches in changing the conversation from "What do we have to cut to survive?" to "What does God want us to do next?" If you desire to gain a better understanding of how to lead your church through tough and prosperous economic times, and if you believe God will provide all you need to accomplish the ministry he has placed on your heart, this book will be an invaluable resource to help you fund your God-inspired vision.