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Start With the Ministry, Not the Money

Writer: Steve Crawley
Steve Crawley
28 minutes ago
2 min read


Many of our churches are working on next year's budget right about now. Before going too deep into the numbers, it might be good to take a step back.


Remember, a budget is simply a financial plan. That's all it is. What your church really needs is a ministry plan, and the budget ought to serve that plan. Too many churches start by pulling out last year's spreadsheet and asking what they can afford. While often well-intentioned, when we do that, we put God in a box before we ever ask Him what He wants to do. It's better to start by seeking His will for the coming year and then build the finances around it. Of course, the two have to fit together, but ministry comes first. Since God always funds His vision, our job is to get the vision right and remain intentional about it.


I recently read the transcript of an episode of The Pastor's Wallet, where Amy Artiga interviewed church administrator A.Z. Suarez about church budgeting. They shared several practical steps worth passing along:


  1. Settle the vision first. Gather your leaders, pray, and answer this honestly: What has God called us to do next year, and what will it take? From my experience, the more ministry leadership we can involve in this process, the better.

  2. Be realistic about the numbers. Project giving based on real monthly trends, not wishful thinking. Count the true costs, paying close attention to expenses prone to inflation. Let each ministry own its own budget line.

  3. Have a plan for both directions. Know what you'll do if giving increases by 5%, and know what you'll adjust if it drops by 5%.

  4. Review it monthly. Inspect what you expect: compare actuals to budget, and monitor cash flow and giving trends closely. Small problems caught early stay small. Match accountability with responsibility when tracking financial activity.


Good stewardship involves balancing faith with wisdom. Seek God's direction for your church, steward His resources faithfully, and the budget will align with the mission. God always funds His vision!


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Steve Crawley, PhD

BMA Financial

Executive Director

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