8 Signs of a Financially Dying Church

Podcast Episode #276Church financial issues can sometimes precipitate church death. So today we cover a post by Art Rainer on the warning signs that a church may be dying financially.Also, we're collecting church budget data for a massive research project. If you'd like to participate, email your church budget to [email protected]. Every participant will receive a free copy of the research once it releases, and the first 10 submissions will receive a free copy of Who Moved My Pulpit?Some highlights from today's episode include: * Stewardship is part of the discipline of Christian life, therefore we should preach on it. * Pastors should not apologize for preaching on money and stewardship. * If members do not trust the church leadership, they will give less. * Consider starting your church budget process with your ministry expenses—not personnel or facility costs. * Offering more options for giving typically means all types of giving will increase. * Churches should constantly be evaluating how they are spending their money. * Churches should be taking steps of financial faith, not financial foolishness.The eight signs of a financially dying church which we discuss on the show are: * Failed to preach and teach stewardship. * Took on too much debt. * Was not transparent with finances. * Used very few dollars to reach and minister to the community. * Did not have multiple options for giving. * Did not constantly evaluate how funds were spent. * Never took wise steps of financial faith. * The church relied on a few big givers.Episode SponsorsVanderbloemen Search Group is the premier pastor search firm dedicated to helping churches and ministries build great teams. They’ve helped hundreds of churches just like yours find their church staff and are uniquely geared to help you discern who God is calling to lead your church.Find out more about Vanderbloemen Search Group by visiting WeStaffTheChurch.com.Midwestern Seminary, one of the fastest growing seminaries in North America, exists to train leaders For The Church. The local church is God’s “Plan A” for the proclamation of the gospel, and there is no Plan B. And this is Midwestern’s vision and heartbeat—equipping pastors and other ministry leaders who are called to expand God’s mission in the world through the local church. At Midwestern Seminary: they train leaders ‘For The Church.’Visit them online at MBTS.edu and start your ministry training today.FeedbackIf you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here on Church Answers.Resources Mentioned in Today's Podcast * Autopsy of a Financially Deceased Church