Finance

Adapted from Guidelines for Leading Your Congregation – 2001-2004

The Committee on Finance or Finance Team is responsible for raising, managing, and distributing the necessary funds for ministry in the church.

Finance Secretary – record pledges and contributions made to the church

Treasurer – disburse church funds and maintain fiscal records and reports

Stewardship Task Force – encourage tithing, money management, and life style in response to God and implement plans to raise necessary funds for church operations. Stewardship is a Work Area of the Finance Team. One who takes care of another’s property or goods is a steward. As Christians we believe that our lives and all that we possess are gifts from God and thus we are bound to take care of them as good stewards. The Stewardship Team is responsible for educating the congregation about stewardship- helping them understand stewardship and encourage them to be faithful stewards of all aspects of their Christian life. The Stewardship Team is responsible for –

• Planning and promoting a comprehensive program of stewardship
• Interpreting the Biblical and theological basis for stewardship
• Promoting giving consistent with a Christian lifestyle
• Developing funding concepts within the local church consistent with sound stewardship principals
• Educating the local church about the concept of tithing (giving 10%) is the minimum goal of giving in the UMC
• Designing the scheduling interpretive events, distributing promotional material, and participating in a year-round program of stewardship
• Giving guidance in the ministry area of stewardship to the Finance Team
• Creating within the congregation a deepening commitment to personal and corporate Christian stewardship, which includes the use and sharing of talents and resources
• Developing strategies and implementing actions that lead to a continuing improvement in the level of giving