Description

Financial Policies for Churches

These sample policies are designed to help the stewardship team to accomplish two objectives;

1. to develop in church members an understanding of and commitment to the biblical concepts of individual and corporate stewardship.
2. to keep offerings and all church finances safe and sound.

Biblical concepts of personal stewardship — God’s ownership and man’s stewardship responsibilities in earning, spending, giving, and final distribution — should receive frequent attention through the church program ministry areas. Teaching corporate (or group) stewardship may be covered through the budgeting process, mission emphases, regular reporting of the flow of finds, and other activities related to the church’s corporate stewardship responsibilities.

These policies will help your stewardship team:

• Study and implement ways to develop distinctive Christian stewards. (Individual stewardship involves giving and money management.)
• Lead the church to understand and accept a worthy corporate stewardship responsibility. (Corporate stewardship involves mission support and budgeting.)
• Utilize the functions of the church including worship, ministry, proclamation, education, and fellowship.
• Instruct the treasurer regarding the designated disposition of all funds received from wills and trusts.
• Report to the church regarding the disposition of designated funds received from wills and trusts.
• Recommend to the church (for approval) a church financial record system and software.
• Recommend to the church (for approval) any changes needed in the church financial record system.
• Make a proper report of the financial audit to the church.
• Be responsible to the church for carrying out plans to fulfill objectives adopted by the team and the church.
• Work with the church staff in stewardship areas.
• Work with church ministry organization leaders in planning inclusion of stewardship material in their activities.
• Understand stewardship resources and concepts.
• Teach church members biblical, individual, and corporate stewardship commitment throughout the year.
• Present the budget, the audit, and all recommendations from the various functioning units of the accounting section to the church.

Stewardship Education

• Individual stewardship
• Corporate stewardship

Missions

Budget

• Plan and Developing the Budget
• Present and Promote the Budget
• Adoption of the Budget by the Church
• Administering the Budget
• Evaluate the Budget

Accounting

• Review the church financial report system.
• Evaluate the church financial record system.
• Draft and recommend financial policies regarding accounting.
• Counting team
• Financial Secretary
• Treasurer
• Auditing team